9 Durable Trench Coats with Timeless Military Style

Since its debut in WW1, the trench coat has become a staple of men’s style, dominating the street sides of the world’s most fashionable cities, appearing on the cover of the industry’s most prolific magazines, and braving the elements with a poise that’s remained relatively unmatched. The garment’s storied beginnings as a military work coat serve as a staunch reminder of its lineage, and even today, manufacturers adhere to its strict characteristics as an homage to the battle-worn icon. Below, we’ll run through a handful of our favorite offerings in our guide to the best trench coats for men, helping you to wade through the endless torrent of great-looking coats that you’ll see this holiday season.

History of the trench coat

The trench coat can be traced back to the trenches of World War I, and it’s one of the most iconic coats in fashion history. It was originally designed by Thomas Burberry for British soldiers and was traditionally built with a double-breasted front, epaulets, and storm flap. Post-war, it made its way into civilian wardrobes, becoming more of a fashion statement in the ‘20s (famously worn by the legendary Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca). And these days, the trench coat remains a versatile and stylish cold-weather choice, with plenty of modern takes on the classic design, and faithful recreations.

are trench coats stylish?

Although today’s stylish variations are a bit more fashion-focused, they retain many of the garment’s most popular attributes, from its double-breasted front closure and two-row button layout, all the way to its mid-thigh and knee-length orientation. But to bring the coat in line with the modern market, manufacturers have decided to outfit the fashion icon with a number of high-end fabrics, like GORE-TEX, Cashmere, and weatherized polyester, while still keeping the trench strikingly close to the look of the original. Today, trench coats are still a sleek and fashionable outerwear choice, and there are a variety of styles to choose from, whether you want that classic military look or something more modern.

what to look for

Material: Durable blends of either cotton or wool will be the best choices for a solid trench coat. However, you may want something a bit thicker if you live in a cold climate. 

Design: A classic trench coat should (usually) feature a double-breasted front, epaulets, a waist belt, a storm flap, and buttoned cuffs. If getting the classic design isn’t as important to you, there are plenty of modern takes that are just as effective. 

Water Resistance: Traditional trench coats are water-resistant, but some modern options may not offer the same protection. If you live or commute in the rain, make sure to get a coat that’s at least water-resistant.

Fit: A trench coat should offer enough space underneath to layer comfortably, without making you look too bulky. You want a somewhat slim silhouette without looking too tight, so pay attention to the shoulder seams and sleeve length.

Mack Weldon Stormchaser Mackintosh Jacket

Best Starter Coat: Mack Weldon is a legend in the affordable yet modern basics space, and the Stormchaser Mackintosh Jacket easily exudes an aura of modern style. While it’s the perfect garment for use within rainy environments (with a 10k waterproof rating), this sleek variant is essentially a slimmed-down version of a true trench, encompassing a lightweight, polyester/cotton construction and a soft cotton exterior. That doesn’t mean it’s short on utility, however; you’ll still be privy to a set of fully-sealed interior pockets and durable fabric construction to keep it performing its best for years to come.

Lululemon Storm Field StretchSeal Long Jacket

Best Stretchy Coat: lululemon specializes in the creation of stylish options for every taste and style, but when it comes to high fashion, their output is definitely underrated. Take the company’s Storm field StrechSeal Long Jacket, for instance — this rain-proof example is one of the best-looking variants in this price range, and thanks to its waterproof polyester construction, it’s ready to take on everything that the city has to offer (especially the rain). It retains much of the original’s iconic style, but puts a modern spin on it with an adjustable hood, zippered underarm vents, and a streamlined silhouette.

Madewell Houndstooth Topcoat in Italian Fabric

Best Italian Fabric Coat: A truly great vintage garment list isn’t complete without Madewell; and, as such, the company’s standout Houndstooth Topcoat variant reserves a spot deep within our hearts. This exceptionally tailored garment boasts a soft material blend of fabric sourced from Italy, an old-school houndstooth pattern, and a hidden hood that can be pulled from its collar whenever inclement weather decides to show its face. Aside from the coat’s premium fabric construction, it remains decisively fashionable, thanks to its Bogart-savvy silhouette, simplistic design, and bold houndstooth pattern.

A.P.C. Cotton-Twill Trench Coat

Best Cotton Coat: A.P.C.’s Cotton-Twill Trench is an authentic take on the tasteful style staple, bringing the recognizable silhouette straight out of its mid-century roots, and into the present day. As such, the company’s attention to detail remains subjectively unmatched, thanks to the trench’s classically-tailored ergonomics, its iconic beige twill, and a medium-weight orientation that’s as close to the original as you’ll find. A full satin lining on the coat’s interior makes it a quintessential piece for seasonal layering.

Canada Goose Winslow Coat

Best Minimalist Coat: Canada Goose doesn’t skimp when it comes to technical outerwear, so why would that be any different for their Winslow Coat? This fully-sealed variant is both waterproof and wind-resistant, bringing buyers a great-looking garment that’s both fashionable and functional. Inside, you’ll find three layers of bonded softshell fabric keeping you cozy through the shoulder months. To integrate the three-layer coat into your daily wardrobe, Canada Goose has created each example with a removable hood to accommodate different climates, making it an attractive proposition for urban users looking to marry stylish outerwear with a more tasteful silhouette.

Mackintosh Cambridge Bonded Cotton Hooded Trench Coat

Best Hooded Coat: Mackintosh has a knack for the recreation of history’s most lauded clothing, and the trench coat is no exception. The company’s Cambridge Bonded Cotton Hooded Trench Coat arrives from the archives with a durable, yet comfortable, pure cotton construction, which has been built to resist moisture and rain. Additionally, it’s equipped with a drawstring hood and an internal tab allowing you to use other liners, and gives this single-breasted offering a versatile design that’s perfect for style connoisseurs and practical use.

Todd Snyder Italian Wool Double Breasted Officer Topcoat

Best Wool Coat: Todd Snyder’s Italian Wool Double Breasted Officer Topcoat is a true icon in a sea of unoriginal remakes; and, as such, it commands a level of respect within the outerwear community. Much like the classic variant worn by Humphrey Bogart on the American silver screen in the 1940s, this tasteful wool peripheral has been carefully crafted down to the very last stitch in Scotland with Italian wool and boasts military-inspired sleeves, welt pockets, a traditional double-breasted design, and a signature olive herringbone and bemberg sleeve lining to give it a persona all its own.

Private White V.C. The Melton Motor Trench

Best English-Made Coat: If you’re looking for one of the most authentic offerings on the market, Private White V.C. should fit right in with your expectations. This versatile English-made garment pays homage to the trench’s original styling, thanks to its staunch attention to detail. But where the Melton Motor Trench differs is in its construction; each example is created with 100% melton wool, giving it an inherent water-repellent finish, and making it more durable than most offerings you’ll find elsewhere.

Burberry The Mid-length Kensington Heritage Trench Coat

Best Premium Coat: Burberry’s Kensington Trench is perhaps the most recognizable variant on this list, and rightfully so. As the golden standard by which the industry abides, the company’s Kensington is an amalgamation of unadulterated style, calling upon the original’s handsome silhouette, and elaborating on its strengths with a signature weatherproof gabardine construction, squared shoulders, and 100% cotton fabric. On the exterior, the trench’s closure buttons come adorned in authentic buffalo horn, while a premium calf leather buckle, double-breasted orientation, and mesmerizing epaulets round out the iconic English garment.

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