Battle In The Trenches

World War I marked the beginnings of a modern day staple - the Trench coat. First developed by Thomas Burberry to outfit soldiers in the British Royal Army with coats that could weather it all and allow them much needed mobility, today the Trench armors the modern man with style and confidence. Still the perfect coat for all occasions, with its all-weather appeal, classic cut, and old school masculine look, Trench coats should be a staple in every man's wardrobe. There are tons of different selections for a typical Trench and certain rules in terms of when and if to wear it. I have the following suggestions:

Things to look for in a Trench coat should be long sleek sides and front, absolutely no pleats or enlarged lapels since these things can be easily confused with tackiness. The Trench shouldn't make you look like someone out the loop for the last 40 years but you can modernize it by wearing them with jeans and a v-neck in the rainy spring seasons and with a sweater in the Fall. Sporting the belt that comes with the coat is always optional even though I would suggest leaving the prop at home along with your pleated khakis. A British-style cut in the lower back is always a plus as it's stylish and gives better mobility while walking and ease in sitting. A heavy duty exterior, perhaps a polyester shell, is a must for weather-proofing. Also, the coat you choose to invest in should not be excessively light, the heavier the coat, the better. Make sure you invest in a piece that's durable and stylish, going for the more classic rather than trendy piece as a typical Trench should last you for a while.

Remember Rain coats and Trenches are not the same. Differences in Rain coats and Trench coats can be noticed in the design and build of the specific coat. If you find one that overlaps in the front with a belt, has a flap at the top of the back and has a extension buttoned down on the left breast, you're most likely looking at a Trench. If the straight down zipper frames the long coat you're looking at a Rain coat. These coats are built for all climate situations but the Trench is more of an everyday whereas the Rain coat is preferable during an overcast.

Hym suggests: think of Mad Men and choose a good durable one for many occasions. Top Man has a really good cotton navy military style Trench for $160. If you're going for a old classic look you might want to check out H&M where you can get a light-weight classic polyester Trench coat for $34.95 that'll last you a season or two. If you're going all out for a piece that you can pass down to your child years from now, look no further than getting your Trench from Mr. Thomas Burberry himself.

Battle On!