Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Fashion & Style

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Get an amazing trench coat — These are our favorites for men

You don't have to go to Casablanca to look the best in a trench coat

Mark McKee
By
Man in trench coat walking a dog
Eugene Zhyvchik / Unsplash

Humphrey Bogart may not have invented the trench coat, but he definitely is the person we think of whenever the trench coat comes up in conversation. Of course, we can admit that it likely comes up in conversation around our dinner table more than yours since this is our business. But if you have seen Casablanca, you are no stranger to how fantastic a trench coat can look. It is why it is one of the best overcoats for men. Many other famous movie characters have utilized the sartorial excellence of the trench coat, from Daniel Craig’s James Bond to Brad Pitt in Ocean’s Eleven. Now you can benefit from the style, and we can show you how by giving you our picks for the best trench coat options for men in 2024.

man in trench coat leaving coffee shop
Shutterstock

What is the difference between an overcoat and a trench coat?

Just like blazers and sport coats, or khakis and chinos, overcoats and trench coats are terms that are used interchangeably but have very different meanings. Overcoats are a category that includes everything from Chesterfields (your basic wool overcoat) and duffle coats to trench coats and peacoats. What sets the trench coat apart from the rest is its history and features.

Recommended Videos

It came about in WWI when soldiers needed a way to stay dry and warm on the battlefield. If you know anything about WWI history, the battlefield was made up of trenches, so the coat carried the name. Today, they are made from gabardine, a wool woven so tightly that it is waterproof. They also oftentimes have built-in belts around the waist to keep them tight against the body. Some of today’s trench coats deviate from the gabardine or ditch the belt, but the true versions have both.

Related

Now that you understand the difference between these and other overcoats, let’s take a look at our list of the eight best trench coats for you to buy this year.

Man wearing Hockerty double-breasted trench coat
Hockerty

Hockerty double-breasted trench coat

If you are shopping for a new trench coat, why would you settle for what someone else wants? Why not go for something that you can create for yourself? Hockerty allows you to choose the color, the length, the material, and the features. So if you want the classic trench coat, do it. If you want to spruce it up, go for it.

Paul Stuart Storm System
Paul Stuart

Paul Stuart Storm System

Paul Stuart shirks the tradition of the belt and the color with the Storm System. Weather isn’t going to care what you are wearing or that you need to stay dry. The Storm System is perfect for covering up your clothes but not covering up your style. The blue will help you stand out among the rest.

Brooks Brothers Supima Cotton Thermore Fill
Brooks Brothers

Brooks Brothers Supima Cotton Thermore Fill

When you need something classic, you can always go to a place that delivers classics. Brooks Brothers brings you all the same features as the classic Humphrey Bogart sported while choosing between his love for Ingrid Bergman and the needs of a friend in Casablanca. When you want to get everything just right to stand the test of time, this is the coat for you.

Mackintosh St. Andrews
Mackintosh

Mackintosh St. Andrews

Speaking of classics. The Ford Model T. Sean Connery’s James Bond. There is something to be said about the original. And Mackintosh is largely considered the innovator of the trench coat since Charles Mackintosh first patented the technology to waterproof the coat. That is why the trench coat is called a Mackintosh in some circles.

Burberry Kensington
Burberry

Burberry Kensington

Burberry is one of the most recognizable names in the entire fashion industry. And with this coat, you get all the classic features of the trench coat. The gabardine cotton, the waist belt, and the shoulder tabs are all present. This one is also upgraded with Burberry’s iconic cotton lining, making this about as elevated as the classic can get.

Hawes & Curtis Khaki Trench
Hawes & Curtis

Hawes & Curtis Khaki Trench

Hawes & Curtis is a London staple from the early 1900s. While they were primarily known for having the best dress shirts in the world, dressing Lord Mountbatten for the majority of his life and Prince Phillip granting them a Royal Warrant of Appointment put them on the map for the next century. It was only a matter of time before the staple clothing company developed a staple garment, and they hit it out of the park when they did.

Ralph Lauren Purple Label Trench
Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren Purple Label Trench

Not all trench coats come from across the pond. Ralph Lauren is one of the more classic and timeless American brands, and their take on the trench coat puts the American spin on the British classic. The double-breasted cut with the belt keeps true to the classic garment, while the length and the silhouette are perfect for Ralph Lauren.

A.P.C Cotton-Twill Trench Coat
MR. PORTER

A.P.C. Cotton-Twill Trench Coat

For pairing with your favorite jeans from A.P.C., why not pick up this streamlined, minimal trench coat made from a durable cotton-nylon blend? Sounds like a winner in our book. It’s even better that you can find it at one of the best online clothing stores for men.

There are plenty of overcoats that you can add to your wardrobe, but the trench coat is the perfect transition look to keep you warm and dry all year round. Once you pick one up you will be channeling your inner Bogart by proclaiming this to be the start of a beautiful friendship.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Mark McKee
Mark McKee
Contributor
Mark is a full-time freelance writer and men's coach. He spent time as a style consultant and bespoke suit salesman before…
Dress in tailored style: The best men’s blazers
Walk out in style with these incredible blazers
Man in vest and blazer

Your wardrobe is an ever-changing animal. Whether it is changing through the seasons of the year or the seasons of your life, it is ever-evolving as time goes by. There are staples that the seasons offer which should always be in your closet regardless of how much you or the weather changes. Blazers are one of those staples. Whether you think you are someone who is always in a suit or someone who sees no need for one, a blazer is something you will unavoidably need. Of course, there is one aspect we need to get out of the way before we start listing out our favorite men's blazers.

Suit coat vs. blazer vs. sport coat
For the purposes of knowledge, we want to make sure you know and understand the differences between these three coats. Of course, in the fashion world, many brands and stylists use these three terms interchangeably. If you want to be a true sartorialist, you will want to know the difference. Even if this article focuses on all three under the banner of blazer.

Read more
The 9 best men’s winter boots for style and warmth
The best men's winter boots for every occasion
Man wearing boots on pavement

When the winter season hits, your feet take a beating. They can get cold. They can get wet. And that can ruin your day. Your best way to fight that is to pick up a great pair of cold-weather boots. These are some of the most important boots you will have in your closet, as they will be instrumental in getting you from the fall to the spring without causing you to catch a cold or having to buy a new pair of socks over and over. Of course, the best men's winter boots is a list that is subjective and overwhelming due to every brand claiming they have the warmest on the market. But we always do the legwork for you, and we have delivered again with our list of our favorites for you to check out.

How much should I spend on winter boots?
Of course, the price of the right pair of men's boots can be all over the map. You can grab an easy pair of boots on Amazon for less than $100. Sure, that is quick and easy, but you will likely be back by the end of the season or the beginning of the next season for a new pair as they likely wore out. You can also go the other direction and find a pair of designer winter boots that can run you upwards of $1,500 and up, and up, and up. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean you are getting high quality. Your best bet is to focus on a quality brand you trust and spend between $200 and $1,000. Here are favorites following those parameters.

Read more
The best jeans for men: These denim brands are worth the investment
No matter your style or budget, your next pair of go-to jeans are here
Man sitting on bench with ripped jeans

The man's wardrobe is one that can vary from guy to guy. Whether you are the kind of man who lives in the Adventurer Style Archetype or the man who dominates in the Commander and Chief, a good pair of denim is going to be your best friend. You can dress them up with a sport coat, or you can dress them down with sneakers. They can be a simple basic, or they can be a brighter color and stand out as the centerpiece of an outfit. No matter what you want to do with them, it is important that you explore as many of the best jeans for men that you can find. The

What colors of jeans do you need?
The color of your jeans and the range of colors you need in your wardrobe will depend on what you want to wear them for and what your lifestyle demands. If you have an elevated wardrobe that calls for the ability to dress up with blazers and sport coats, then you will want to stick to the darker colors. Dark-washed jeans that look like a deep navy are considered dress denim; they will look best with your dress shirts and sports coats. Black will serve you well with your gray and black jackets as well.

Read more