Burberry Trench Sizing and Style Question

viva

I'm busy writing up some style resolutions and plans for 2014, and Anna and Rae have me hoping to find a Burberry trench on ebay this spring (there are quite a few there now, but I need some time to get the funds together!). Any insights on Burberry sizing, or on the various styles / lines (Prosum vs Brit)? I like the length that both Anna and Rae have -- above the knee -- not sure if they have the same one.

Thanks!

10 years ago

Shopping

13 replies

Latest reply was from Katherine Smith

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Mine was a gift so I didn't really go through the whole buying of it and things like this - just wanted to say it's a beautiful investment piece and will serve you well. I was still wearing mine at -12C (mostly because I am stubborn).

10 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

When I was at the store I tried on about four different ones. I was sticking only to the styles on sale. I didn't track each one though. I'm normally as US 10 in coats and jackets. One size 10 fit, it was a more classic fit.

I got the Burberry London Queensbury in a US 12. It is a more modern fitted coat.
Frankly it it wasn't for the sales associate I think I would have been overwhelmed and frustrated with sizing.

10 years ago

Diana

Veteran

I tried on a couple this summer with Una when she was visiting Boston. I am a pear/hourglass and the Buckingham style (in London) fit me well. I am usually a US 8 in jackets, although I wear a 10 in some smaller brands such as Theory. The 10 in the Buckingham fit me pretty well, although that particular style is cut to have a bit more hip room, according to the SA. She also said that they can move the buttons over slightly to give you a little more room in the hips, so shoulder fit is more important. If the coat buttons up but they pull that can probably be adjusted by moving the buttons. Anna is right, the SAs really know their stuff.

It's funny, I have tried on some vintage Burberrys (maybe from the 80s or 90s?) and the sizing/cuts have changed A LOT over the years. In those older ones I was swimming in the 8 and fit into 4s and 6s! Seems like the opposite of the vanity sizing that is happening in most brands nowadays!

10 years ago

Jeanie

Veteran

Do you have a store where you could try them on? I have one from the 90s and it's true to my size.

10 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

In general, the more expensive the line, the smaller the sizing runs (Brit largest, London next, then Prorsum the narrowest). However, there are definitely aberrations and, like Anna said, it can be frustrating. I usually wear a 2-4 in jackets, xs in Tahari, US 6 in Karen Millen, Italian 38. My black trench is a 4, while my green one is a 6.

If you plan to buy on Ebay, my best advice would be to try on as many styles in store as possible to gauge the fit. Then you can search Ebay for the style that you like. Or you can reverse engineer things and see what is available on Ebay, then do sizing in store. Double check by asking sellers for measurements. If you can't find the available Ebay style in store, the Burberry people are excellent resources. Email customer service or call a local store. That's what I did for my green one... CS gave me the # to a store with it in stock, and the SA there tried the coat on and helped me decide on sizing.

Either way, in store research helps you in two ways when dealing with Ebay: you know what to expect regarding fit, measurements, fabric drape to make sure you like it... you also know what to expect to make sure it's real. If the measurements are wonky and it's the wrong material, you know to run the other way.

10 years ago

viva

Veteran

Thanks everyone! Kind of overwhelmed right now by how difficult this is going to be ... but it seems like first stop should be Burberry on Newberry St for some trying on. Then I will take it from there. Thank you all for your help!

10 years ago

Katherine Smith

Active Member

My advice is to try out a few styles and figure out what works for you. Even though Burberry is classic, you might not be happy if you buy something off of ebay cold and it doesn't work for you. So I suggest you hit up outlets if your in the market for something from ebay.

10 years ago

Mia

Veteran

I found the Burberry Sales Associate to be very helpful and knowledgable. The trick is to find the cut of trench that is "yours". My Sales Associate guided me through that process and brought in another size in the style I settled on so I could try it and be comfortable with my final choice. If you have a Burberrry store that is great as I'm not sure that you get the same expertise or selection of styles in a Dept. store. I bought at full price and no regrets as the CPW is going down so fast. I have always been a trench coat type so it was a question of why didn't I do this earlier?

Our local Burberry store also has a liberal return policy which I appreciate as well.

10 years ago

MeredithB

Active Member

I was going to chime in about the sizing as well. I actually went up two sizes in the trench and one size in my winter dress coat from Burberry. I wouldn't have gone with the bigger size if not for the associate at Nordstrom.

10 years ago

Katherine Smith

Active Member

I'm on a similar search. I ended up going to boutiques, and a few outlets and have a list of trench coats and sizes that work for me. Depending on where you live, you can always try an outlet too.

I generally found that I need to go up a size on the slim cut trench coats. But fit my regular size in the classic cut trench coats.

10 years ago

Katherine Smith

Active Member

Outlets aren't a bad option. You might be able to score a trench coat between $1035-$900. With promotions you might be able to take another 20%-50% off. Believe me you see 'good deals' even in the smaller sizes (US 6 and below) as well as classic colours (ie trench).

If you have a few styles in mind (ie Harbourne, Marystow, etc) it's a good idea to get the SKU number. This way you can call up a store to find out if they have the trench coat in stock and can check the stock at other stores.... You can find out the SKU by chatting with a Burberry sizing specialist on burberry.com.

10 years ago

abc

Veteran

What's the diff in a Burberry bought at a full line store vs outlet? Is it just like most other brands that the outlets have a separate (inferior quality and lower cost) line?

10 years ago

Katherine Smith

Active Member

Actually the quality is the same. The outlet trenches came from boutiques because they didn't sell out and the boutiques needed to make room for new stock. It's harder to get trench coats from the permanent lines, but there are usually many seasonal coats or coats from the Prorsum line (run-way). Harder to be smaller sizes or coats in the classic colours.

10 years ago

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