Ask Angie: Brooks Brothers or Burberry Trench? - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask Angie: Brooks Brothers or Burberry Trench?

ElleH

Veteran

Hi Angie,

Please help me decide. Which trench looks best? Which colour is best for my wardrobe? Should I get 2? Thanks. The light in my bathroom has warmed everything up. Perhaps I should have taken these photos today in the daylight, not last night. It is also harder to see the subtle differences in a photo but at least we have YLF to consult. If I didn't spend all my money on a Burberry I could have Angie help me go shopping in person lol.

The BB is very good quality. I posted about it last night here if anyone is interested. It is almost as good as the Burberry Heritage line in a similar gabardine. What I am wearing in these pics is one from the Prorsum line in a heavier double cotton. The main difference would be that the seams are single stitched and the Burberry have double top stitching. The collar stand is also higher on the Burberry which makes the collar sit better when hook & eye is done up. With BB you would need to pop the collar for better coverage & so the collar doesn't sit weird. Also the belt stays flat on Burberry but bunches a bit when tied on the BB.

For quality & fit I am leaning towards the Burberry because I know what it is like to have that now. BB is very good though & I'm wondering if I should get one or two of them for less than my Burberry or keep a Burberry & a BB, but then the cost of the Burberry was justified by being able to wear it a lot, so I shouldn't need another coloured trench.

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30 replies

Latest reply was from ElleH

Liz A.

Veteran

between the two light colored ones, i definitely prefer the BB on you.
between the dark, i prefer the Burberry. if you were only to get one, i
would say go for the navy, because i would have a tough time justifying
the cost of the Burberry, but that is just my opinion!

Anonymous

I see a real waist on the Burberry, even when it's not done up. That must be part of why the fit is so good. *shaking my head* That is one nice coat.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

1-3 is BB and 12 is Burberry? Seeing the lighter ones side by side I can see the quality difference and I'd have to vote Honey Burberry, it looks amazing on you. If you are only keeping one and price is not an issue I'd go with the light Burberry. For the navy/black it's harder for me to see a difference so I'd vote navy BB if you decide to keep both colors. But you look so fab in all 4 coats, you can't go wrong!

Lovely Laura

totally adore you in #9. It looks clean cut, shapely, and it lies so nice on you. I like how it seems to follow the shape of your body with it curving inwards at the waist. I like a well-fitted coat and #9 looks like it was tailored just for you.

Diana

Veteran

Honey Burberry, hands down. It's perfectly cut and I can tell even in photos that the fabric is superior.

Anonymous

Elle, in regards to last night's thread, I agree that the difference between the two brands is less noticeable in the dark colors, because the details are harder to make out, and also because the colors are more similar.

For my own benefit, do you mind sharing your measurements and which size you have on in the Brooks Brothers? Are you layering over a blazer here?

ElleH

Veteran

Claire I have the size 2 in BB. I am not layering over a blazer in these pics but I did in store. A t-shirt & a blazer. I am 35, 28, 36, The garment from armpit to armpit is 38" & the waist is 34".

Anonymous

How 'bout you take them both to your tailor and say, "Can you make this coat (BB) look like this one (Burberry)?" I'm sort of kidding and sort of not. I wonder if the waist could be tapered in on the BB?

Thanks for that information. I called my store this morning and they are having a 2 sent in for me to compare. They'll give me the sale price on whichever one I decide to keep. I feel like I can't be really, really sure until I try them both. After I looked at your pictures I put my coat back on and it looked like a sack! My biggest part is my shoulders. If you're at home, would you mind measuring across the back yoke at the base of the collar? I'm much obliged!

ElleH

Veteran

Claire shoulder point to shoulder point, where the shoulder seam meets the sleeve is 15 7/8". Is that where you mean?

Anonymous

Okay in further comparison, the Burberry has two more rows of buttons. This creates the illusion of more length and slimness. The higher collar stand looks much more elegant to my eye, again adding to the verticality of the line. Are the armholes cut higher as well? Are the arms slimmer? All of these add to a sleeker look.

Anonymous

Oh, thanks! Yes, I think so, did you measure up near the epaulets of lower towards the place where the yoke joins the back of the coat?

ETA You must have measured pretty close to the epaulets...that's only a 1/4 inch smaller than the size 4. That might work for me. Hmmm. The plot thickens! Check that, only an eighth of an inch smaller than the 4!

ETAA Duh, the shoulder seam. It's under the epaulets. We're good. Thank you.

ElleH

Veteran

Claire it may have even been 16" across. The burberry armholes are smaller but the sleeve width is about the same. The shoulders are about the same too. This is a 40 which is a US 6 in the Burberry. I was a 4 in the Heritage/London coats but Prorsum is cut smaller. If I never walked into the Beverly Hills store, & I wasn't planning to I was just walking past, I would have only the Heritage/London coats to compare to BB & those coats still had the lower buttons, double topstitched seams & high collar stand but other than that, like the fit & fabric & quality is quite similar. If I was wanting to accommodate possible weight gain I should get the BB. I have room in the Burberry, just less of it.

missvee

Veteran

For fit, I'd say the light Burberry is better than the light BB. The BB looks roomier overall and doesn't show your shape as well. I can't really see the same detail on either of the dark coats so I'm no help there.

Anonymous

I think the smaller armholes mean they're higher (the armpit of the coat is closer to yours) and that gives a generally more fitted flattering look. Yep. You made a big mistake the day you walked into that Beverly Hills store!

Yeah, one thing I was thinking about with my coat was possible weight gain. I fully tend to wear mine through menopause and beyond and while I don't plan to gain weight, who knows what my body will do? I've heard the waistline can kind of go away.

ElleH

Veteran

Claire I intend to wear mine through menopause too. I'm 47 so that could start soon. I could try a bigger Burberry & see how it compares to the BB.

Anonymous

Hey we're the same age. You need another coat in this mix like you need a hole in the head!

Anonymous

Bumping for Angie.

And Elle, in case there was any doubt, I was kidding. For that kind of money (any kind really) you need to get it just right.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

BURBERRY. There is no contest here if you are prepared to pay the price, AND if you're not scared to wear it.

I like the navy Burberry, but the tan Buberry is out of this world on you.

Echo

Veteran

Seeing the photos next to one another, it just isn't a fair comparison. The Burberry wins hands down, and there is no real comparison.

MNsara

Veteran

Angie nailed it on the honey Burberry! The cut/fit on you, those dark buttons, etc. all add up to an exquisite trench!

You were already willing to spend for it, so now you need to decide if you can confidently wear and enjoy it. A bit cautious maybe, but worry free? It's a major purchase, but still needs to serve you, not the other way around

Susie

Veteran

Photo 9 makes it look like it was made for you, the other greatly pales in comparison.

Beth

Veteran

It's late but I logged in specifically to vote for the Burberry. It's immaculate on you and the quality is obvious even in the photos. Gorgeous!

catgirl

Veteran

Get the Burberry if you will wear it. I wore my quilted one as often as possible - yes, the sleeves got dirty but I got over the whole precious factor after experiencing the fun of wearing it!

Scarlet

Veteran

Exactly what Goldenpig and Angie said. I fully change my vote now to the honey color. It really shows off how beautiful the coat is and looks great on you. You have to know that you will enjoy wearing it though and not be afraid to let it live with you.

ElleH

Veteran

So Burberry it is. Thanks Angie & everyone! I love YLF! I want to keep the khaki & be careful but not avoid wearing it, like I am careful when I wear white jeans but I do wear them. I guess if I want to sit on a bench I will. If it is the outdoor theatre where I live, where the benches a dirty concrete I can take a blanket or pillow to sit on. I wonder if I should get the navy BB as well. I like the idea of having two colours but I think I should just have one so I will wear it a lot. I could always look for a sale at BB in the future if I want a dark or light weight one. The Burberry is quite heavy, but still cotton so I don't think it will be too hot. Denim jackets are heavy cotton, though not lined, & I wear those on cool mornings or evenings & in AC. I will be returning the BB khaki size 2 (& maybe the navy) to Beverly Hills or Century City if anyone wants it. If you are international I could ship it to you but if you are in the USA it is probably better to buy it from BB after I return it so you have a receipt for returns if anything goes wrong with it.

rute

Veteran

I prefer 8 or 13!
I agree with Angie, no contest..

Anonymous

I think you love the Burberry most. It looks fantastic on you. But you can't be afraid to wear it!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I was late to this discussion but I am glad you are keeping the Burberry! It looks amazing.

Anonymous

I'm so happy to hear that Elle! Are you coming to the SoCal meet-up in Sept or Oct? There's a thread on it in the Off Topic forum. I'd love to meet you and your new trench!

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