There are certain things synonymous with British identity: afternoon tea, pub culture, unpredictable weather and a tendency to queue anywhere. Yet one enduringly chic signifier is the iconic Burberry trench coat. Spotted across London and beyond, it appears in queues for cult bakeries, slipping into low-lit dinner spots and flaring dramatically against the wind on the busy morning commute.

As one of the most recognisable emblems of Burberry, the trench sits alongside the house’s other signature motifs: the busy Nova Check pattern and the regal Equestrian Knight emblem, often embroidered onto polo shirts or spotted on unfurled umbrellas hurrying through the streets. Together, as the brand celebrates a milestone anniversary, they represent 170 years of craftsmanship and innovation that have come to define British luxury on a global scale.

But while the trench coat is now woven deep into the lexicon of iconic fashion, embedded quite literally within the very fabric of British style across generations, its story began with function. Originally designed to protect against the elements while maintaining structure and elegance, it was developed by founder Thomas Burberry using his revolutionary gabardine fabric. The material redefined rainwear and laid the foundation for what would become the house’s most enduring silhouette.

Today, that legacy lives on through the ever-favoured Heritage Collection of trench coats, which includes signature silhouettes such as the Kensington, Chelsea and Waterloo, and now the Marylebone – a new addition to the line defined by a sharper, modern cropped cut. Each piece remains made in England, honouring the house’s long-standing commitment.

This classicism extends into the anniversary campaign, The Trench: Portraits of an Icon, which features 23 figures from across creative disciplines, all shot by renowned photographer Tim Walker. Among them are Jonathan Bailey, Little Simz and Teyana Taylor, each captured in striking black-and-white portraits. It’s a reminder that the trench, even after 170 years, remains as culturally relevant as ever.

Head to the gallery above to check out the campaign.