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Unboxing a rare Second World War Burberry trench coat

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The Burberry Trench: Crafting an Icon

  • Closes Sunday, 3 January 2027

  • V&A South Kensington

Discover the wartime history of the iconic Burberry trench coat as Carly Eck, Brand Curator of the Burberry Archive, unboxes a surviving example dating from 1939.

With a history stretching back to the First World War, the Burberry trench coat was originally designed with military personnel in mind.

In this episode of Fashion Unpicked, we take a closer look at the functional features and distinctive details of this remarkable garment, exploring how its design offered protection from the elements for generations. Comparing the original 1939 trench with a contemporary Burberry Waterloo Heritage Trench from 2026, we discover which elements of the original design have stood the test of time, and how the coat has been adapted and reinvented for modern wear.

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Header image:
Burberry trench. Image © Victoria and Albert Museum, London