The year was 1879, before trench coats were even worn in trenches. and Thomas Burberry had just invented a new tightly woven fabric, Gabardine.
In 1901, the British War Office commissioned Burberry to use his new Gabardine fabric to produce overcoats for Officers and senior enlisted ranks.
These would become widely recognised and respected during the First World War due to their fantastic durability and water and wind resistance. However, their real success was thanks to its breathable and lightweight capabilities, making it far more practical than previous greatcoats with their heavier and stiffer fabrics.
Officers loved the Gabardine Trench Coats, with many of them taking them home after the Great War, where they would become lasting staples in the fashion world.
Although Gabardine has now been phased out of the British Army, and the market dominated by extremely durable Ripstop fabrics, Gabardine still remains a great choice for outdoor gear.
This led us to develop the Weekender Collection in Gabardine - a limited edition line of functional but casual garments, enhanced with our Durable Water Resistant (DWR) finish.
The series revisits some of our staple and most popular garments, reworked in Gabardine fabric. It also includes some new, more casual styles with a focus on comfort and simplicity.
