Evolution of Burberry's iconic trench coat

Mention Burberry and the image of a beige trench coat comes to mind. In fact, just saying trench coat evokes images of the quintessentially British brand.

This year, Burberry is once again highlighting its iconic pieces and, yes, its most famous trench coat is on the rack. Burberry, founded in 1856, established itself by focusing on the development of outdoor attire. But it was when Thomas Burberry introduced gabardine – a hard-wearing, water-resistant, breathable fabric in which the yarn is waterproofed before weaving – that his trench coat came to life.