Welcome back to the Gentleman's Gazette!
Today's video is a new one in our series, is it worth it?
And we discuss the Burberry trench coat.
As you may know, we rank a trench coat to be one of the 10 must-have garments every
gentleman should have and you can learn more about it in our video here.
We also filmed an in-depth trench coat guide where we talked about the hallmarks, characteristics,
the history, and everything you want to know about a trench coat.
Today's video, it's really just about the Burberry trench coat and we discuss whether
it's worth it or if you should invest your money in another brand.
If you like this is it worth it video, we’ll do more like that maybe about the Montblanc
meisterstuck fountain pen, or the Gucci loafers, or any other iconic menswear item that we
often hear about, but not sure whether it's really worth the money.
Alright, time to talk about Burberry.
Thomas Burberry wasn’t quite the inventor of the trench coat but his name became synonymous
and he popularized it and therefore, today, if people think about a trench coat, the first
thing that comes to mind is a Burberry trench coat.
The company has been making trench coats for over 150 years, they've been around since
1856 and it's just an iconic garment.
It became popular because just like many other overcoats, it was a military garment and there
was a surplus after World War Two and so they circulated in public and they became well
known for every man and woman on the planet.
Over the years, Burberry evolved and today, it's much more of a lifestyle brand that you
can see on catwalks and fashion shows, and not so much the original Burberry brand anymore
that used to make a trench coat.
Over the years, trench coats have changed so let's look at whether a new trench coat
from Burberry is worth it today.
The classic Burberry double breasted trench coat today costs eighteen hundred and ninety
five dollars in the Burberry website.
Yes, you should definitely go with a double-breasted version because that's the original.
They also have single breasted ones but I suggest not to use those and you can learn
why here in this trench coat guide video.
The current heritage models they offer have the typical Novacek, they also added it underneath
the collar which looks nice if you like it popped up, but also the lining is Novacek.
Novacek is a name for a specific tartan that is usually associated with Burberry, although
it's also imitated by other companies.
Unlike in previous years, this trench coat is made in England as the original one and
it is made out of a hundred percent cotton gabardine which is a fabric Thomas Burberry
invented or at least became famous and well known for, and it's the ideal material you
want for a trench coat.
Less expensive versions contain polyester in various amounts but 100 percent cotton
is the highest quality you can get.
Even though the lining is made at 100% cotton, the sleeves unfortunately, are just made of
viscose which is a really inexpensive artificial fiber made of cellulose.
The great thing about a modern Burberry trench coat is that it comes in four lengths as well
as four fit styles.
Now, the fit of all Burberry trench coats is slimmer than it used to be it's simply
an adaptation to modern times which in my opinion, is not a bad thing because you want
to trim look that flatters your body line.
The relaxed fit is definitely the widest fit they offer and it's made for layering, so
if you wear jackets underneath a lot, maybe a sweater or a cardigan, this is the fit you
should get.
The classic fit is more tapered in the waist yet you can still wear a suit jacket underneath
of it.
The slim fit is a slimmest fit they offer and it's not meant to be worn with something
underneath but it creates a very nice if you shape.
Last but not least, there's a tailored fit.
the tailored fit is somewhere between a classic fit and a slim fit.
In terms of a length, the original trench coat was quite long and ranged from ankle
length, all the way up to knee length.
Today, Burberry’s lengths are much shorter; with short being just ever so slightly longer
than a jacket, medium being what I would call short, and long being what I would call medium,
even their extra long version just reaches the knee and in my opinion, it's a classic
length for a trench coat and if you want a classic look, I suggest to go with a relaxed
fit, extra long.
The armholes on modern Burberry trench coats are smaller than on the old ones which is
nice because it allows for a better range of movement.
While the original trench coat had Raglan sleeves and you can still get it from Burberry,
most of them are in a more classic sleeve which means the sleeve is set in without a
raglan.
Personally, I own both styles and I like them.
if I will just get one trench coat, I’ll probably up through Raglan simply it's a traditional
choice.
So is it worth to get the Burberry trench coat?
Every gentleman should have a trench coat but it doesn't necessarily have to be Burberry.
Fortunately, it won't go out of style and Burberry is associated with the original.
Even though almost 1900 dollars for a cotton overcoat is quite a bit of money, you'd consider
the cost per wear as this garment can be worn in every transitional season between fall
winter, and spring summer, sometimes they even come with a liner which extends the range
of when you can wear it.
Overall, if you want original length Burberry trench coat, the new model is not worth your
money because it's simply not long enough.
On the other hand, if you want a flattering fit and you want to choose between the different
lengths and the fits, and if you have the money, it’s definitely worth it.
It's a good investment, it won't go out of style, and you won't regret your purchase.
Just make sure you get a camel or khaki color which is the original at least if it's your
first trench coat.
If you have multiple ones, you can also go with maybe a navy, or a black like the one
I'm wearing here which is more advantageous when you travel simply because it doesn't
stain as easily.
Definitely also make sure you get the 100% cotton version that is made in England because
of a higher quality than other models you can find from them.
In terms of the model, I suggest you get the Westminster extra long heritage because that's
the closest one but still has a very attractive fit.
Now if $1,900 are simply too much for you, I hear you, gladly there is a wonderful option
which is vintage Burberry trench coats and there are lots of them out there.
So are vintage Burberry trench coats worth it?
Yes, absolutely!
No matter your budget everyone can afford that one.
The problem is, fit can vary hugely you can find some very big ones that are more like
sac style or some more contemporary fitted ones because they're not as old because of
the times just to try them on you can turn them at flea markets or maybe on eBay, just
make sure you're able to return them.
As always, it pays to know the measurements of the garment as well as your own so you'll
find something that fits.
Make sure you get a made in England model and if you want to compromise, you can get
maybe a composition with 70% cotton and 30% polyester or something in that range.
Ideally, you want a hundred percent cotton.
price-wise, they go from anywhere between $100 and $400 depending on the condition.
I'd always go for a little higher condition because otherwise, you have
something with worn out edges, maybe the buckles are worn out, and if you get something that's
a little nicer it's better.
Bear in mind you can always exchange buckles and buttons just like I did here which really
helps to create a different look for your trench coat.
So at the end of the day, is a Burberry trench coat worth it?
New, it is not worth it if you want the original length and the original width and fullness
however, if you want the modern fit and if you have the money, it's definitely worth
it.
if you go with a vintage trench coat, it is definitely worth it because it will never
go out of style you can always wear it.
the cost per wear is low and it’s just a classic staple that every man should have.
Personally, I have three different trench coats.
The first one I bought was a non Burberry one and it had a typical khaki color but once
I got it I realized oh it lacks certain features.
Next up, I got the black trench coat I’m wearing here right now.
I actually was able to find it at a which is a secondhand store.
It's really nice in Hamburg and I was only able to afford it at the time, it cost I think
200 bucks because I just made money selling my goyard suitcases.
To learn more about that story please check out this link here.
I was ok with the black because I already had the khaki color and I really like the
fit of this trench coat.
It has a nice white overlap, the arm holes are slim, the sleeve length was right, and
it just looked really really dapper in me.
Third trench coat is the one you can see here.
It's the most traditional one, it has the widest cut, it also has the Raglan sleeves.
It already came with some really nice buttons and just left them on there simply because
I liked it.
It also has a storm hooks, the latches, and it comes with the detachable green wool liner.
I think this one is buttoned in, sometimes you can also find some that are zipped in
but I think button is more original.
I'm wearing this black trench coat with green driving gloves from Fort Belvedere it's paired
with a simple dress shirt green striped with cufflinks from Fort Belvedere shirt is from
Milan my tie is a two-tone cognac and charcoal silk knit tie likewise from Fort Belvedere
my pants are contrasting and it shows a slight tan corduroy from Polo Ralph Lauren I pair
it with a pair of boots in a very dark dark brown color which is almost black it has blue
inserts a little contrasting and fun the socks are likewise from Fort Belvedere in brown
and blue they don't really match the pants exactly but they produce like contrast which
is quite dapper if you take a closer look you can see I don't have that shoulder flap
which this one has which is supposed to prevent getting rain inside of your coat there was
time when Burberry left out traditional hallmarks simply to be more in line with current fashion
they also offered the original one with a belt with a chest flap with a throat hooks
and if you want to learn more about all these features please check out a trench coat guide
or discuss everything in detail.