The 'It' Coat

Shot by Sara Zevallos

Like the white tee shirt and jeans, trench coats are an essential in everyone’s fall or spring closet. Today, the trench coat is genderless with both men and women wearing them. You can find a trench coat anywhere and their price ranges depending on where you buy it. For example, a Burberry trench coat https://www.burberry.com/  can cost up to 3,000 USD and a Elie Tahari trench coat  https://www.elietahari.com/shop/new-arrivals1?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwv73ibfB2gIVEFqGCh2XRgbUEAAYASAAEgK66_D_BwE (presented on photos) is 99.99 USD from a department store.

Shot by Sara Zevallos

The trench coat made its debut during World War I. Charles Mackintosh invented rubberized cotton jackets for British military officers and soldiers in battle trenches. Thomas Burberry, founder of Burberry, invented a waterproof, lightweight, wool material called gabardine, which was used as outerwear for the upper class and aviators. In 1907, Sir Ernest Shackleton and his flight crew flew to Antarctica in Burberry’s design coat. The gabardine material was also used to create tents. Later on in the early 20th century, trench coats and the rubberized material revolutionized the whole world of men’s Fashion.

Shot by Sara Zevallos

          One of the first times the trench coat appeared on a woman was in the iconic 1961 film, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Audrey Hepburn’s character, Holly Golightly wore Burberry’s trench coat in the classic rain scenes. This caused controversy in the media and fashion world because a woman was wearing a coat that was originally designed for men. Other powerful women in pop culture followed the trench coat trend such as, Jackie Kennedy, Brigitte Bardot, Greta Garbo, Bette Davis. 50 years later, the coat is still being styled and designed by the world's top fashion designers and many celebrities continue to wear them.

Shot by Sofia Zevallos