The Burberry Trench: Crafting an Icon at London's V&A
From Julianne Moore to Hailey Bieber, the trench coat continues to be a hit with the cool girls, a perennial staple that no wardrobe should be without. Indeed, few pieces transition through the seasons quite so seamlessly as the trusty trench. And while designers continually reinterpret the classic style in myriad ways, it's easy to forget that its sartorial origins date back well over a century or that, along with British outerwear label Aquascutum, Burberry is to thank for its creation.
The Burberry Trench: Crafting an Icon – a free display at V&A South Kensington until 3 January 2027, celebrates a fashion staple that has adapted and endured through the decades. Showcasing rare pieces from both the Burberry Archive and the V&A collection, it marks the brand's 170th anniversary by tracing the evolution of the Burberry trench—from its beginnings as a practical outerwear maker to its status as a global fashion icon, infused with a modern British spirit.
As Carly Eck, Brand Curator, Burberry notes: "The Burberry trench is a global design icon rooted in British craftsmanship and a symbol of innovation, creativity and timeless style."
Beginning with ‘Invention’, the show explores Thomas Burberry’s creation of cotton gabardine in 1879 and how its use in the Burberry trench made the coat a sought-after piece of protective outerwear that combined function and style. By unpicking the carefully crafted elements of the Burberry trench, the focus on ‘Craft’ highlights details including the hand-finished collar and distinctive House Check lining. Other details, such as the storm flap and detachable throat latch, show how the coat was designed to protect against the elements.
A curation of objects from the brand’s archive are also publicly exhibited for the first time. These range from early 20th-century catalogues to a Burberry trench coat worn by the fashion designer Hardy Amies. Finally, ‘Creativity’, an impressive display area encompassing 19 runway looks from the past two and a half decades, includes standout designs by Burberry's current chief creative officers, Daniel Lee and his predecessors, Christopher Bailey and Ricardo Tisci. Bailey's metallic pink trench from the Burberry's menswear collection in 2013, is just one of many sartorial highlights.
The Best of Bond Street Trench Edit
As the A/W2026 ready-to-wear collections currently stocked in Bond Street's prestigious stores go to show, this season is all about a point of difference. Think chocolate-coloured leather and soft cashmere to new lengths, funnel necks and animal prints. With so many different styles to choose from, how will you wear yours?
Classic with a twist...
The quintessentially British trench always gets a seasonal fabric update at Burberry. Here, the brand's Long Kensington Trench Coat, £3,250, is crafted from lightweight pale pink cashmere. At Saint Laurent, a knee-length trench coat in leopard print nylon, £3,545, is slick and sassy. Elsewhere, Louis Vuitton's Reversible Cotton Twill Trench Coat, £3,250, features a classic beige exterior that reverses to a grey glen check, giving you two looks for the price of one.
Luxurious leather...
There's something about a leather trench that never fails to get the pulse racing. More demure versions come courtesy of Prada, £8,600, in delicious shades of cocoa and tar. McQueen's leather trench, £6,700, features a handy hood, buckle details, and a back vent. For impeccable Italian craftsmanship, look to Bottega Veneta. Mind you, its plissé lambskin leather trench coat complete with Intrecciato collar and detachable epaulettes, will set you back a cool £17,600.
The new funnel neck...
Clever design touches make the news at Victoria Beckham. This season the designer turns the classic trench silhouette on its head by adding a long funnel neck, guaranteed to keep the neck nice and snug when winter takes hold. Chloe's high-neck trench coat in organic cotton poplin, £2,240, featuring a gathered and layered shape with press studs and a cinched, ruched waist, gently flounces at the shoulders - perfect for bounding into autumn in style.
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