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Original poster

The perfect trench

35 replies

FirmlyRooted · 14/02/2021 19:23

Inspired by the 'what would you treat yourself to if you had the money' thread, a good trench coat seemed to be a top choice. So, where to find the perfect trench? Does anyone have any recommendations?

I have a short trench from Coast which is good quality but I've lost the wrist straps and belt, it's a little too short to be the perfect trench I think

OP posts:
limesoda · 14/02/2021 19:59

I tried on a lovely one from hobbs recently.

JMAngel1 · 14/02/2021 20:23

I was a few YT? Videos lately with H&M and Mango ones - they looked good.

ShirleyPhallus · 14/02/2021 20:24

Burberry Burberry Burberry

Yellowtopaz · 14/02/2021 20:35

Burberry

sansucre · 14/02/2021 20:41

I was in the supermarket earlier and spotted a woman wearing the most perfectly cut trench. I suspected it was Burberry, and as I walked past, I managed to turn my head and caught a glimpse of the lining; it was Burberry.

No-one cuts a trench as well as Burberry, and definitely worth investing in if you have the means. Indeed, as I've not bought anything since last March, I plan to treat myself to a Burberry trench, something I have always wanted to do.

Burberry aside, I have had some surprisingly great trenches from H&M, Cos and Arket. All Saints too. It helps to know exactly what features you want and to look accordingly. Also, don't just make do, keep looking until you find your idea of perfection, you will know it when you try it on!

Oly4 · 14/02/2021 20:44

Hobbs trenches are amazing and last years. They do need dry cleaning though.. don’t be tempted to wash them!
Much cheaper than Burberry obvs

viewsoftheshard · 14/02/2021 22:46

Massimo Dutti usually do great ones around the £150 mark but noticed this years are a looking unstructured, to fit with the relaxed work from home vibe.

ZaraW · 15/02/2021 04:26

My friend has one from APC it's well made and looks good.

Original poster
FirmlyRooted · 15/02/2021 06:59

Just had a look at Burberry and the prices....£1500ish for a classic trench. That is quite steep.

My old boss had a Burberry trench that she'd had for over a decade and it still looked great so the value is probably good over time. Not sure if I'd dare to order something that expensive without at least trying it on first

OP posts:
Original poster
FirmlyRooted · 15/02/2021 07:08

I might be falling into a Burberry rabbit hole here Grin any idea about sizing? Do they come up small? If I wanted to wear a suit jacket or jumper, should I size up?

There are literally hundreds on Ebay, tinted etc, wonder how many are knock offs ...

OP posts:
sansucre · 15/02/2021 07:33

I recall when my friend bought her trench, she spent ages in the shop trying everything on in a myriad of sizes. I'm pretty certain she sized up. I know I usually buy outwear in a size bigger than my size. If you are seriously contemplating a Burberry trench, wait until everything opens - I noticed they don't have many of their classic styles online at the moment.

As for online/ebay. Total pot luck as many are counterfeit, and the vintage ones will fit completely differently which makes it hard to establish what size you need. (For example, my mum bought her Burberry trench in the 80s, it's a size 10. It is teeny tiny and barely fits me, a size 6). If you go the ebay route, I suggest buying only from sellers who allow returns.

PigletJohn · 15/02/2021 07:44

Some of the Burberry on Ebay are fake.

Especially if they are described as used, but obviously new, and the vendor has sold more than one.

Collar construction may look wrong.

Yellowtopaz · 15/02/2021 08:16

I would never buy a Burberry trench off eBay!

ShirleyPhallus · 15/02/2021 08:34

Do not buy a Burberry off eBay!!!!

There are designer outlets which have them sometimes so that would be fine. I’ve had mine for about 8 years and it was a fantastic purchase, it still looks in amazing condition and I’m sure will do so

Wait until the shops are open again. A purchase of that size needs some proper trying on in a real shop plus it is a really lovely occasion of shopping to buy one

Clickncollect · 15/02/2021 23:12

Another vote for Burberry here but definitely wait until the stores are open. I bought mine from Heathrow nearly two years ago now and I absolutely love it (it’s the navy Kensington) and often got compliments when wearing it.
I found the sizing to be big and, very often, the sleeves come up too long so Burberry offer a free tailoring service. So definitely wait for the stores to be open to try on multiple sizes, styles and colours with the helpful staff and enjoy the experience.

PigletJohn · 15/02/2021 23:38

I got my first in the Haymarket. Men's are sized to fit over a city suit or a thick jumper, so on your shopping trip, you need to wear whatever is usual. You can use the belt to tighten it a bit. Knotting the belt will eventually make it misshapen, but you can buy replacements.

Have a look online at the various styles so you have a fair idea of what you want.

Regent Street is something of a tourist destination now.

AFAIK they still operate a cleaning and reproofing service at huge cost. Carrying newspapers used to mark them badly.

Some people like the accessories with the ostentatious plaid design on display.

mimiloveschoclate · 15/02/2021 23:41

I have a vintage Burberry trench I got on eBay. I wanted the olive green so took a while to find one, it's got a detachable wool lining. It was in pristine condition. Sizing is different with all vintage items, so you need to compare measurements to things you already own.

I find this blanket attitude hat everything on eBay is a fake to be a bit ridiculous. Of course there are fakes, but use your common sense, do some research and look at the sellers profile and feedback. There are lots of gems to be found.

Pigtailsandall · 16/02/2021 06:05

I have a Hobbs trench in bright red which I love. I find it a lovely antidote to all the navy and camel out there, and bright red is surprisingly neutral as far as brights go.

I do also have a navy one from Karen Millen. Both are well-cut and attract compliments

intheshallows · 16/02/2021 06:17

Massimo dutti! Don't waste your money on Burberry!

Nacreous · 16/02/2021 06:21

Hobbs is my favourite trench. I just couldn't shell the money out for Burberry. I got my Hobbs one reduced to £120 in the sale I think.

Itsjustmilk · 16/02/2021 06:51

I have a Hobbs one in a dark teal which I bought 6 years ago and it still looks great.

BlairWaldorfLovesShopping · 16/02/2021 11:07

I have a Burberry Kensington which I got at 30% off from Flannels.

Just from the way they look, I think Hobbs do the best high street ones.

Tightwad2020 · 16/02/2021 16:18

I had a lovely one from Gerard Darel which I kept for years, until it did look sad and I had to retire it. The one I have at the moment is from (blush) Asos. Was all I could afford at the time, and I find a trench so useful on between seasons days, or to pull on over an outfit and look finished that I went for what I could afford rather than save up. It works fine - looks good, has everything you want on a trench. I had it shortened because long trenches were in that season and I wanted shorter. I wouldn't have done that with the Darel, but with Asos you feel you can get away with it.

I'll have a look at the Hobbes ones as well. I have a nice wool coat from there (although I was a bit upset to see Priti Patel had the same coat).

Original poster
FirmlyRooted · 23/02/2021 23:32

You all give such sensible advice, like not blowing lots of money without trying on first Grin only two (or us three?) months until shops open again.

I can afford a Burberry plus I had a miserable milestone birthday in locked recently and a work bonus so feel I have earned the right to splurge. But I still can't quite get my head around spending so much on a coat.

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