You'll feel like a glamorous femme fatale just by putting it on! And who when wearing it hasn't felt like a detective partnered with the famous Columbo?
Clichés aside, the trench coat is an iconic part of women's (and men's!) wardrobes, and a signature piece we turn to in both autumn and spring.
Its luxurious, elegant presence, combined with its sober or more refined details, make it a real winner. The trench is the perfect blend of style, aesthetics, and functionality!
The Burda Style editorial team has selected 5 trenchcoat models that you can sew and wear anytime, without ever going out of fashion!
The trench coat is one of the most complex garments to sew, but that's where the pleasure of sewing lies: rising to the challenge and achieving a result as wonderful as your garment will be when worn!
Thomas Burberry has something to do with it...
...If someone had told Thomas Burberry, the young shopkeeper and founder of the fashion house of the same name, that the fabric he had just invented, called gabardine, and the trench coat that later resulted from it, were still worn with pride by film stars, fashionistas, and businessmen over 100 years later, and had even become a status symbol, he would certainly have been bemused. For glamour was the least of his concerns. He first used the material to make raincoats, which until then had been waxed and were therefore incredibly heavy and uncomfortable.
The Gabardine Revolution
The revolutionary cotton fabric is woven from a twill yarn, on which over a hundred threads per centimeter form microscopic spaces that allow the fabric to breathe, while its compact structure effectively repels water.
The big breakthrough came in 1912 with “The Tielocken,” also known as the trench coat.
But the model was still far from fashionable, and the First World War was at Europe's doorstep. The coat became part of the British army's basic equipment and was given the name by which we still know it today: trench-coat (trench = trench). It also featured the details we know so well such as a solid button fastening, shoulder flaps, epaulettes to indicate rank, D-rings taken from military equipment, and a storm flap to better withstand the rain.
Star Power
How did it come to make such an impact on fashion today? Thanks to the highly successful evolution of its image orchestrated by Hollywood from the 1940s onwards. Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca, Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's, and even Lieutenant Columbo have shaped the way we see and love the garment. Today, the trench coat is synonymous with coolness, timelessness, a preppy style, and functionality. What a rare combination in the fashion world.
An Autumn Model for Women
Cotton Coat 113 | Burda Style 03/22
A one-sided storm flap, a belt to play with volume, adjustable straps, and aesthetically pleasing flap pockets: all the codes of the trench coat are brought together in this knee-skimming 4-star version. We like the buttoning with XL buttons, which are eye-catching and add character to this model. The garment's ease of movement is enhanced by the box pleat integrated into the back yoke!
Whether you're out and about or wearing the model for a special event, this version of the trench will fit in with all your activities and make a big splash!
Bold Elegance With the Maxi-Trench
Cotton Trenchcoat 102 | Burda Style 11/24
Prodigious and just released in our November 2024 issue, this long (or maxi) model is a sign of pure elegance, with a soft cotton/polyester blend fabric and silky look.
The details are discreet and refined: XL cuffs with buttoned cuff tabs, single-flap pockets, and a back slit for freedom of movement.
The raglan armholes offer a harmonious drape that accompanies the natural curve of the shoulder.
Its major advantage is that it can be worn both open and closed.
The fashionable touch: a leopard print lining that perfectly finishes off the interior of the piece!
Unique in Denim
Denim Trench Coat 107 | Burda Style 11/23
A denim trench coat? Now, that's an idea! And just look, the result couldn't be more beautiful!
The large lapel on the turned-down collar highlights the décolleté, thanks to the double buttoning at waist level. The tie belt in matching fabric further accentuates the silhouette and retro '70s allure. The fluid, supple denim adds lightness, and the model could even be worn as a dress!
A piece we'll love to wear in spring or late summer.
The ultra-feminine detail: the pleated cuffs that shape the volume of the sleeves.
The Sophisticated Classic
Gabardine Coat 124 | Burda Style 08/22
The suspense has gone on long enough: here's our best version of the 'classic' trench coat, in gabardine and, inevitably, beige!
You'll find almost all the signature features of the trench coat: front and back storm flaps, pockets, D-ring straps, adjustable cuff tabs, a double-breasted front, a fold-down collar, and a belt.
Buttons can be more or less showy, depending on your taste and the touch you want to bring to the final piece.
This model has four stars for difficulty.
And, did you know? Conventionally, the front flap is worn on the left for women and on the right for men.
The Short Version, for a Go-To Raincoat
Cotton Parka 108 | Burda Style 02/22
There's nothing wrong with getting a little fancy! This cut is a perfect blend of parka and trench, ideal for those who prefer a more casual everyday look.
Some key trench elements are present, such as the storm flap, which prevents water from seeping into the jacket. The beige-colored cotton is a sign of elegance and quality. The sleeves flare out at the bottom, and an adjustable drawstring replaces the traditional belt. We like the hood, sewn onto a small fold-down collar, and the imitation horn buttons, which match perfectly.
All these models are available in PDF format, with just one click on our burdastyle.com website!
