When it comes to iconic items of clothing, there’s very little to challenge the trench coat. No other wardrobe essential connects the battlefield with the silver screen, or the suaveness of James Bond with the feistiness of Carrie Bradshaw, or the chill of winter to the warmer days of spring and summer beyond.

Its earliest iteration was as a waterproof “mack” – a rubberised cotton coat devised in the early 1820s by the Scottish chemist Charles Mackintosh, for whom it was named, and the English inventor Thomas Hancock, founder of the British rubber industry. Theirs was waterproof outerwear designed for officers of the military (who could afford to outfit themselves), and well-dressed gentlemen who lived an outdoorsy lifestyle of sporting pursuits.

As technology improved, so did the breathability and comfort of the coat. In 1853, a Mayfair tailor named John Emary developed an improved raincoat, which he sold under his label Aquascutum (derived from the Latin for “water” and “shield”). Twenty-six years later, a young draper from Basingstoke named Thomas Burberry invented “gabardine”, a twill fabric made by coating individual strands of cotton or wool with waterproofing, rather than the entire cloth, that was inspired by the lanolin-coated coveralls worn by Hampshire shepherds. Burberry’s innovation resulted in the most breathable version of the jacket yet.

This modernised “trench coat” (as it was dubbed by a tailoring journal in 1916, due to its use by officers during the Great War) was soon adopted by upper-class explorers (including Ernest Shackleton), aviators and military men alike, imbuing it with an intrepid and debonair quality that eventually led Hollywood to come calling.

From the 1920s onwards, the double-breasted, deep-pocketed trench coat became synonymous with the most adventurous and spirited characters in film. Everyone from Greta Garbo in A Woman of Affairs (1928), and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942), to Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast At Tiffany’s (1961) wore one.

James Bond had one. So did Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Bride’ in Kill Bill. Even Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City’s most ardent admirer of the faux-fur jacket, was savvy enough to have a trench coat in her fashion arsenal. It has enrobed the likes of Jackie Kennedy and Princess Diana and is still regularly spotted on modern-day style leaders such as Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, and the Duchess of Cambridge.

Here, our edit of SS22’s most covetable women’s trench coats, available from Sloane Street’s boutiques:

From the originator of the modern trench coat comes this sleek knee-length version, complete with many of the original features of its historic forebears (plus a contemporary twist): a caped back that allows rain to slide off; D-rings for attaching accessories such as binoculars, straps at the cuffs to allow them to be tightened against inclement weather, and pink detailing for a subtle and modern contrast. It’s as beautifully constructed now as it was over a century ago, which is why it remains a covetable classic.

The trench may be a year-round staple, but the coldest days might require a little extra warmth, and that’s where Mackage’s Trisha coat comes in. It has all the hallmarks of the classic style and features a detachable hooded bib, which is filled with down for added cosiness. Dare we say that this may be the only coat you’ll need?

Emporio Armani’s technical take on the trench offers clean lines, a waist-cinching belt and a length that falls to just above the knee. The best part? It’s made from sustainable recycled nylon.

Add a dash of French flair, à la Brigitte Bardot in 1959’s Babette Goes to War or Catherine Deneuve in 1964’s The Umbrellas of Cherbourg with Dior’s chic cotton trench coat. A slightly flared outline flatters the silhouette, while adjustable side straps create a waspish-looking waist. Très jolie.

Here is Loro Piana doing what it does best, with a minimalistic interpretation of the trench in red (it also comes in navy). The impeccably soft, drapey double cashmere swishes beautifully as you walk, while the side slits offer a glimpse at your outfit beneath. Our favourite detail is the throat latch, which is embroidered with elegant branding.

You’ll feel like a true Parisienne as soon as you slip Saint Laurent’s cotton trench on. In the house’s signature all-black, it features a double-breasted front, storm flaps, buttoned epaulets, and adjustable cuffs, and has a 1980s-infused loose silhouette. Plus, the silk lining means it’ll sit smoothly over your outfit.

No matter the time of year, the trench coat is a must-have for urbanites; one that keeps the mercurial weather at bay, while remaining effortlessly elegant. You couldn’t say that for every coat style, could you?

Kim Parker is a London-based journalist specialising in luxury fashion, jewellery, and beauty.