The Best Designer Trench Coats

This is the deepest part of the edit, and it spans the full range of the women's trench. Expect Burberry's belted gabardine, Mulberry's softer British tailoring, and lighter, body-skimming cuts from Maje and Sandro that suit smaller frames. Miu Miu brings a more playful, cropped read on the shape. Buy your usual size: a trench should close cleanly over a jumper without straining. If you are short, look for a shorter back length so the hem sits above the knee rather than swamping you.

A men's trench should hang from the shoulder and skim the body, not box it. The classics here lean Burberry and Mulberry, with the storm flap, gun yoke and D-ring belt that define a proper gabardine coat. Sandro offers a leaner, more modern line if you want something to wear over a suit and tailoring rather than knitwear. Stone and honey are the safe first buys. Go navy or black only once you already own a neutral, and check the sleeve breaks at the wrist bone.

Gabardine is the tightly woven cotton twill Burberry patented, and it is what makes a trench shed light rain and hold its shape. These are the classic, double-breasted styles you keep for years: full length, belted, in stone or beige. Burberry is the reference point, but Mulberry and Sandro cut the same heritage shape cleanly. This is the section to shop if you want one coat that outlasts trends. Pay the most you can here, because the fabric and finish are where the money shows.