{"id":50593,"date":"2023-09-12T12:04:42","date_gmt":"2023-09-12T16:04:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gentologie.com\/?p=50593"},"modified":"2026-03-10T16:38:52","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T20:38:52","slug":"mens-trench-coat-how-to-pick-the-right-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gentologie.com\/en\/style\/mens-trench-coat-how-to-pick-the-right-one\/","title":{"rendered":"Men’s Trench Coat: How to pick the right one!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The quintessential British coat, the men\u2019s trench coat is now a global fashion icon and every self-respecting gentleman must have one. The original, of course, is Burberry\u2019s, since the men\u2019s trench coat was created by Burberry founder Thomas Burberry over 100 years ago, in 1901. And since autumn is the season when rain is part of everyday life, what better time to talk about it than today!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The origin of the men’s trench coat<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Men's-Trench-Coat---Burberry-original\"
The Burberry original trench
Photo : Burberry<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The trench coat was born out of the need to protect servicemen during the First World War, not for the urban gentleman\u2019s look. The epaulettes originally displayed the officer\u2019s rank, while the metal D-rings on the waistband were used to fasten the equipment of men in combat.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Portrait-of-Thomas-Burberry\"
Mr. Thomas Burberry
Photo : Burberry<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Originally and still today for Burberry, trench coats are made from gabardine, a durable twill worsted wool, a tightly woven fabric originally waterproof and invented by Mr. Burberry. According to the Burberry<\/a> website, at the time, it took each specialist tailor a year to learn how to sew the intricate collar of the trench coat. More than 180 stitches are used to create a flowing curve so that the collar sits perfectly on the neck.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Burberry-Kensington---Collar\"
The details of the Burberry Collar
Photo: Burberry<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

What to look for in a men’s trench coat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You need to ask yourself a number of questions. The first rule before buying: get informed, shop around and keep in mind the looks you want to achieve with your new purchase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much to spend on your first trench coat<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Men's-Trench-Coat---Night\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Even if a Burberry men\u2019s trench coat is timeless, it still costs a lot of money to buy\u2014over $3,000 CDN today\u2014so it might be cheaper to go and buy it in London, directly from Burberry\u2019s flagship shop (121 Regent Street to be precise), in pounds (\u00a3); plus you\u2019ll have a good story to tell and you can have it personalized. You can find secondhand trench coat ones on certain resale sites, but beware of imitations. Other brands also produce them, but take heed of the advice below to ensure you look chic in your trench coat for years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choosing a waterproof trench coat or not?<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Gabardine---Cotton-fabric---Burberry\"
Gabardine, a cotton fabric developed by Burberry
Photo : Burberry<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Although many men\u2019s trench coats are waterproof, not all of them are. Some are very light, but they won\u2019t let you stand up to the rain during long outings, so you won\u2019t be able to look your best. Make sure you know what fabric your trench coat is made from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which season will you wear your trench coat?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you only wear your trench coat in summer, it doesn\u2019t need to be lined. However, if you live in Quebec and want to wear it in winter, that\u2019s the kind of detail that you gentlemen will want to see in your purchase. Some models have the option of removing the lining, so it\u2019s very practical for comfort in all four seasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do you find the right fit for your men\u2019s trench coat?<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Black-Trench---Keren-Fedida---Unsplash\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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According to Wikipedia, men\u2019s trench coats have traditionally been double-breasted, with 10 buttons down the front, wide lapels, a storm flap (to stop rain or snow wetting your clothes) and pockets that close with buttons. This double-breasted jacket offers extra protection and warmth in the chest area, as it has extra fabric to cover you (remember that if you\u2019re wearing a jacket, it\u2019s often the shirt that\u2019s exposed at the trench opening). It also has raglan sleeves that end in cuffs with straps that also buckle, to stop water running down the forearm (this was thought of when soldiers were using binoculars in the rain).<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Trench---flowers---Shamim-Nakhaei---Unsplash\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Speaking of fit, there are several styles to choose from. But you\u2019ll want to consider, first and foremost and once again, the occasions when you\u2019re going to wear your trench. If you only wear your trench with a t-shirt or a large cotton fleece jumper underneath, you may be more likely to choose a cut that fits you better than if you regularly wear jackets, which can make the waistline of your shoulders more pronounced. Gentlemen, bring your clothes with you when you try on your trench coat to make sure you choose the right size for your figure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The length of your trench coat, a question of look!<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Black-trench---David-Suarez---Unsplash\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Short, long or medium-length. Several options are available. It all depends on your style and what you want to do with it. If you\u2019re the kind of person who wants to protect your whole leg, you\u2019ll be better off with a longer one. If you frequently wear jackets, think about having a coat that will cover the jacket. I\u2019ve had to deal with this unfortunate sartorial faux pas myself, but with jeans, it can be a perfect look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The short trench<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Burberry-Kensington---Short\"
Photo: Burberry<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

This style generally stops at the hips and is recommended for shorter men. This will give the impression of being taller. Taller men, on the other hand, should avoid this look, as it will create a dichotomy with their morphology. The only exception is shorter men with wide hips who, if they wear a short trench coat, will give more importance to their hips and nobody wants that. These men often don\u2019t have belts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The medium-length trench coat<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Burberry-Kensington---Medium-Lenght\"
Photo: Burberry<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Voici la variante classique du trench. Celui dont nous vous parlions en entr\u00e9e. Cette longueur convient \u00e0 presque toutes les silhouettes ce qui fait de ce mod\u00e8le le trench id\u00e9al autant pour les grands que les petits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The long trench<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Men's-Trench-Coat---Beach---Pexels---Anastasia-Shuraeva\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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It goes without saying that if you\u2019re short, you should be wary of this long length. However, if you still want to wear it, it\u2019s highly recommended that you wear shoes or boots that will compensate for your small size. For taller men, the long trench coat is sure to turn heads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The trench coat with wide lapels<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This type of trench coat is perfectly suited to smaller children who want to hide certain small details of their anatomy, while taller children need to be careful that this trench coat with a wide lapel doesn\u2019t unbalance their body shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a good look at the stitching<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Men's-Trench-Coat---Shoulder-pads\"
A shoulder pad on a Burberry Trench Coat
Photo: Burberry<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

There\u2019s always a reason why some clothes sell cheaply, and that\u2019s the way they\u2019re made. Pay attention to the seams\u2014some may have been hastily made, with weaker threads and sloppy stitching. Don\u2019t hesitate to check the strength of the fabric. This article from La Presse (in french<\/a>)is a really good guide to durable clothing. Often, but not always, clothes made in England (like Sunspel<\/a>), France and Italy are of higher quality than those made in Asia. The reason is simple: the clothes are made by adult craftspeople, at a slower pace, using techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A man’s trench coat with or without a belt?<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Men's-Trench-Coat---Stairs---Pexels--Cottonbro-Studio\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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These days, men\u2019s coats are more relaxed and less fitted, so some models don\u2019t have belts. However, if you want an overcoat that will enhance your silhouette and optimize your look, it\u2019s always better to have a belt, as it helps to hold the pockets closer to the body and give a more fitted cut. Also look at the material of the belt, the stitching and the ring. Do you risk losing it, is it fastened at the back (with a button or sewn on)? In short, there are many details that will give you clues about the quality of your future coat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choosing the right colour for your trench coat<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Men's-Trench-Coat---Cell-phone\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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It\u2019s really a personal choice. The original colour of the trench coat is a honey-beige, which is still often found. Black is also extremely popular. It\u2019s really a question of style. What you like to wear, what looks good on you. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For myself, I bought a black trench coat (Zara brand, which I\u2019ve had for a few years, which isn\u2019t lined, so when the cold comes it\u2019s a bit chilly), but looking back, I think this colour makes me look a bit too serious. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So here\u2019s a quick guide if you decide to go for the colour: <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n