Skip to main content
Coat of Charms

In the Trenches: From Burberry to ‘Say Anything’

Whether worn casually, like Lloyd Dobler in the 1989 Cameron Crowe film, or traditionally, as soldiers did back in WWI thanks to Burberry, these celebrities wear a good trench.

galleries/2014/04/14/in-the-trenches-100-years-of-the-burberry-coat/140413-trench-tease_xtjpzt
By The Fashion Beast Team
galleries/2014/04/14/in-the-trenches-100-years-of-the-burberry-coat/140414-trench-intro_jibq6i

This year marks 100 years since the British War Office commissioned the house of Burberry to create a coat that would help shield officers from inclement weather on the battlefield. It also marks 25 years since Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack), wearing a more disheveled version of the trench, held up a boom box playing Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” in the film Say Anything. But no matter how it’s worn, the coat has since become synonymous with spring style—whether the day is bringing April showers or May flowers. Celebrities and film characters alike rock the British-born trench in all its khaki (and sometimes black) glory. Here are a few of our favourites. Sorry, favorites.

galleries/2014/04/14/in-the-trenches-100-years-of-the-burberry-coat/140413-say-anything-trench_rkhbln

It's hard not to get so lost...sometimes...in John Cusack.

galleries/2014/04/14/in-the-trenches-100-years-of-the-burberry-coat/burberry-trench-kloss_g8tnht

The model’s attempt to distract us from her insanely long legs has...failed.

Courtesy Burberry

galleries/2014/04/14/in-the-trenches-100-years-of-the-burberry-coat/burberry-trench-stone_obkddi

The piping detail on Spidey’s love is, indeed, ‘Amazing.’

Courtesy Burberry

galleries/2014/04/14/in-the-trenches-100-years-of-the-burberry-coat/burberry-trench-chung_yzdywa

Understated cool, as if we’d expect less from this Brit.

Courtesy Burberry

galleries/2014/04/14/in-the-trenches-100-years-of-the-burberry-coat/burberry-trench-will-i-am_pwhywn

Obviously this Black Eyed Pea has to “Make It Funky.”

Courtesy Burberry

galleries/2014/04/14/in-the-trenches-100-years-of-the-burberry-coat/140413-bogart-trench_xz2t6j

Oh yes, “we’ll always have Paris”—and this classic coat.

Rights Managed

galleries/2014/04/14/in-the-trenches-100-years-of-the-burberry-coat/140413-murrow-trench_ruhlji

The epitome of a newsman.

CBS Photo Archive

galleries/2014/04/14/in-the-trenches-100-years-of-the-burberry-coat/burberry-trench-kstew_gmfrpd

In true Twilight style, she vamps up her Burberry by choosing black.

Courtesy Burberry

galleries/2014/04/14/in-the-trenches-100-years-of-the-burberry-coat/burberry-trench-chastain_dcslm7

She doesn't need any Help rockin’ a traditional Burberry with a bit of flair.

Courtesy Burberry

galleries/2014/04/14/in-the-trenches-100-years-of-the-burberry-coat/burberry-trench-jessicahart_gi2lq9

If this model has to be covered up, she done good.

Courtesy Burberry

galleries/2014/04/14/in-the-trenches-100-years-of-the-burberry-coat/burberry-trench-dunst_akc8uo

“Hat? Check. Sunnies? Check. Incognito coat? Check. Think anyone will notice me?” No.

 

Courtesy Burberry

galleries/2014/04/14/in-the-trenches-100-years-of-the-burberry-coat/burberry-trench-rosie_dbqwpd

This Brit’s looking just peachy in her classic button-up.

Courtesy Burberry

galleries/2014/04/14/in-the-trenches-100-years-of-the-burberry-coat/burberry-trench-drake_s7xllr

There’s nothing dull about the rapper’s gray version of the trench.

Courtesy Burberry

galleries/2014/04/14/in-the-trenches-100-years-of-the-burberry-coat/burberry-trench-poesy_sbgted

There’s a certain je ne sais quoi about this Frenchie ensemble.

galleries/2014/04/14/in-the-trenches-100-years-of-the-burberry-coat/burberry-trench-skarsgard_ohbxjg

Again, another vamp goes dark.

Courtesy Burberry

See more of our coverage in your search results.

ADD THE DAILY BEAST ON GOOGLE
The Fashion Beast Team
The Fashion Beast Team

Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.

TRENDING NOW