Very hypothetical research question: how does Burberry hold up in he rain?

rae

Poking around ebay every once in a while has shown that burberry can sometimes become somewhat affordable. Not really looking seriously now, but maybe someday. This might be a stupid question but I was wondering if they are actually useful in a downpour... Like how would that compare to something like my north face trench? I'm guessing that a cotton Burberry would only be water resistant? I have read that the cotton fibers get treated individually, but have no idea what that means in terms of practical use. On the other hand, the brand is famous for a reason...

Again, I'm not really serious about this, but it would be something to keep on a fantasy wishlist in case one popped up.

12 years ago

General

11 replies

Latest reply was from ElleH

Raisin

Veteran

I don't know about Burberry, but I have a coated cotton jacket from Rudsak and it seems to repel water very well. I'm not sure about a full out downpour though.

Would you be nervous about buying a Burberry from eBay? I've read so much about counterfeit products on eBay lately that I'm scares to buy even a $40 pair of jeans.

12 years ago

Inge

(website)

Moderator

I've no idea, Rae, but I'm bumping this thread for you. (one day I too hope to own a Burberry trench:-)

12 years ago

Diana

Veteran

I don't know, but I'd be afraid to wear a Burberry in a downpour. I suspect there is no way that cotton could be totally waterproof, at best it would be water-resistant.

12 years ago

Jjsloane

Veteran

No idea, but that's what umbrellas are for no?
I'm still obsessing over the ones I tried in NYC so I'm saving up for one at that awesome consignment store Zap took us to. Of course now that I really want to buy one they will either a. skyrocket in cost b. not fit in the least or c. become incredibly scarce.

12 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I wear mine in the pouring rain. It gets VERY wet but somehow I stay dry. It does take a while to dry off though

12 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

Sartorial bucket list has a Burberry trench on it. I'm hoping to at least try some on when I'm in London this fall. Who knows? Maybe it will be my souvenir!

12 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

It's designed for London rain, right? So that's constant misty drizzle, not torrential downpours.

12 years ago

ElleH

Veteran

So I asked some questions at the Burberry store & did some online research recently.

The Burberry Brit line is not 100% cotton & only water resistant, but not as much as the heritage or London line of 100% cotton gabardine. It won't work in heavy rain. The Prorsum line is runway & also only water resistant. Gabardine was invented by Thomas Burberry.

The cotton gabardine in the London line & heritage styles has something done to it when being woven to make it waterproof. All the ones I posted are heritage/London, 100% cotton & waterproof. There is double cotton in the Prorsum line but it is only water resistant.

There was a time when they produced poly cotton gabardine, & it wasn't necessarily they cheaper Burberry Brit, & maybe Brit wasn't even around then. I'm not sure how waterproof those older ones are. Also dry cleaning can reduce the water proof finish I have read, which bothers me with a light coloured coat, but I will ask Burberry to recommend a dry cleaner for me.

My concerns with ebay. I bought one on ebay & she allowed me to come & see it & get a refund due to a faint mark she found on it after I won it. It looked great & I really don't think she was trying to sell a fake but I am not sure that it wasn't one, after reading what to look for. It was well made, fit well, but it didn't have some of the things I was told to look for. I also don't know how much it has been drycleaned & how.

12 years ago

ElleH

Veteran

Rae I emailed Burberry asking if we could dry clean their coats. This was the reply.

Thank you for contacting Burberry Customer Service.

We are truly delighted to hear that you are holding your Burberry trench coats in high regard. We would like to suggest using a local reputable cleaning specialists should be able to provide the special care that a Burberry trench coat requires by referring to the care label inside of the garment, including re-proofing or conditioning services in order to best retain and revitalise the beauty of a Burberry item.

We hope the above information is of assistance and at any time should you have any enquiries, please feel free to contact Burberry Customer Service. We remain at your disposal for anything you might need.

12 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

Wow, thanks, Elle and all! That is a lot of great info. I think the cotton gabardine was what I had seen mentioned somewhere on the internet regarding the waterproofing treatment. It is great to know that it is not the same on the Brit line.

As for fakes on Ebay, I can't say I've ever been burned by one (*knock on wood*). I never thought to put together a list of warning signs or anything, but I know I always sit down and read all the negative feedback and compare the pics provided to what I'm looking for before buying. Lately, I've also been more inclined to buy things that have the style name in them so I can actually either go online or go to the store and compare.

12 years ago

ElleH

Veteran

The Burberry I won on ebay had a seller with 100% feedback & she sold lots of luxe items. I don't know that it was a fake but if it was, she didn't know or think so. Her & I had a discussion about it while looking it over. It was an older one, from the 80s she said, it was old enough to have the older "Burberry's" label. The checks matched at the center back seam but not the side seams. I read that they were supposed to match up but nothing about it having to be all seams. I also read there should be a label in the left hand pocket with size & style or batch or product number on it. There wasn't one in this. It also didn't have a high stand on the collar and only one metal hook & eye at front of collar. I didn't read that it needed to have those 2 things and I don't know if that is how they were made in the 80s. It was definitely well made & looked great on. It would fit you Rae & she is going to relist it when she returns from a trip. She takes returns & is in Hollywood too. There is no size in it but it is listed as a 4, which is what she thinks it is. It is a long midi but Burberry recommended a tailor in Beverly Hills that they send people to. I can give you her ebay name if you are interested so you can watch for it. I won it for $255 but I don't know what it will go to next time.

12 years ago

Category