Burberry Bliss

Burberry is undeniably Britain's first and foremost premier luxury label, and you'd be hard pushed to find something more iconic in the fashion world than one of Burberry's signature trench coats. The history of the trench coat is quite fascinating, given it's ground-breaking fabric technology and the brand's phenomenal resurgence over recent years after the disaster that can be only be referred to as "chav-gate", but more on that later. We were beyond excited when we sourced some original 1980's Burberry trench coats; it's not every day that you find a vintage variation of a design that is still as popular now as it was almost a century ago. 

Burberry was founded by Thomas Burberry in 1856, the brand established itself by focusing on outdoor attire. In 1880, Thomas Burberry invented the revolutionary fabric, gabardine; this fabric was hard-wearing, water resistant yet breathable. Orders were flooding in for this phenomenal fabric, but Burberry's first major client was none other than the British Army; the coats that Burberry made for the British Army would eventually become the inspiration behind the signature trench coats that we all know and love today. Quite the heritage, huh? Over the years, the trench coat has kept it's original basis of shape and is still made from 26 pieces of gabardine of various sizes, and it usually comes with a buckled belt and D-rings.

Yet, it's difficult to so much as utter the word Burberry without remembering the state of disarray that it fell into back in 2002...yes, it's time to discuss "chav-gate". We've all seen the photo of Danniella Westbrook looking as though she had bathed herself in that famous Burberry chequered print; it was at this one single moment that Burberry went from chic to chav. Peter York went on to state that "quite a lot of people thought that Burberry would be worn by the person who mugged them." The brand had fallen victim to its own success; luxury stops being luxury when it becomes too accessible.  At this point, it didn't seem as though Burberry had a hope of reviving its cult status, but somehow, they did.  Christopher Bailey, the creative director of Burberry, reduced the use of the check print and focused solely on the good bits of Burberry's heritage; the trench coat. Now, Burberry is fronted by only the most desirable models, namely Cara Delevingne, Kate Moss, Jourdan Dunn and even a cameo appearance from Romeo Beckham! 

The trench coat encapsulates everything that Burberry stands for, it's traditional yet timeless; it is one of the few styles that is able to withstand the ever-changing, and sometimes fickle, fashion trends. The trench coat has endured countless updates, yet it's roots and heritage are never forgotten, so it remains to be both familiar and classic.

You can shop our range of vintage Burberry coats here. Hurry though, because they're selling fast!

Winter Warmers.

Ah Winter - when the mornings become just as dark as the nights, and the weather as deceiving as a good  Instagram filter. Let's face it, when you think about it like that, it's almost enough to make you turn up the thermostat and send you whimpering to the warm embrace of your bed until the first glimmer of Spring arrives. However, to tempt you out of hibernation, we've scoured around for a selection of vintage coats so hot that they'd rival the dearly missed temperatures of Summer....almost. 

1. The 1960s Coat

This English Lady branded coat is quite the vintage gem and fits in perfectly with the British heritage vibes which are always popular with the ever lust-worthy Mulberry designers. This particular coat is made of 100% pure wool and comes in an appeasing palette of grey with subtle flecks of orange and brown which add further depth to rich quality of design. The coat is slightly flared which makes for a flattering silhouette in spite of the many layers that we'll undoubtedly be wrapping ourselves in this winter.  As far as detailing goes, the rounded collar is atypical of 1960's fashion but the five statement buttons help this coat fit in with contemporary styles, thus making it a truly timeless piece. So, dust off the vinyl player and your favourite Beatles record and get ready to embrace the swingin' sixties in this stylish swing coat available here

2. The Tweed Coat.

This Alexon Herringbone offering is the perfect coat for all of you ladies who have to hop around the place for business meetings. Smart, sophisticated and stylish, it makes for the perfect office coat. The cut screams minimalism but the luxurious velvet collar adds the hint of elegance needed to really dress up a monotonous work wardrobe; the notched lapels and double breasted fastening are the final stroke of professionalism. This coat is sure to send the boardroom into hushed silence when you make your entrance. To quote the ultimate female entrepreneur; "Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman." You can see additional images of this dress and make the smart decision to purchase it here

3. The Camel Coat.

I don't know what it is about a camel coat, but they always seem to epitomise ladylike elegance and style, and this Ravens coat is no exception. A stunning blend of soft 70% virgin wool and 30% camel hair, this coat is a true beauty. It features a slight flare to the hem and comes with a matching belt with slide buckle to really clinch in that waist and give you a more defined silhouette. Personally, I think a camel coat can really pull together a winter outfit, it might be something to do with its ability to stand out against the sea of greys and blacks which become a little bit tiresome during the winter months, yet it's still a universal shade that doesn't clash with any other colours. If you're looking for a coat which you can wear with virtually any outfit, then this could be for you.

4. The Cape

Don't they say to save the best until last? I admit, I've fallen a little bit in love with this H Moser cape. It's presented in the lovely autumnal shade of bottle green and is truly striking. With the likes of Victoria Beckham and Olivia Palermo being partial to this style, it's fair to say that a cape coat is a must-have this season, and really sets apart the trend setters from the fashion followers.  This particular cape is a fantastic blend of thick wool which really adds a stunning shape to what can often be perceived as a shapeless garment. I personally suggest that you buy this little number before I get the chance to snap it up myself and add it to my ever expanding collection. 

So, there you have it - our best selection of coats to keep you both fashionable and warm this winter. The best part? You needn't even venture out into the cold to purchase them! As ever, our full collection of coats are conveniently available here.