Trench mark

Englishness is ruling the style waves, with the revival of the house of Burberry the most remarkable victor.

To mark St George's Day, we decided to celebrate the new darling of the catwalk: the trenchcoat.

Few could have predicted that the traditional trench would become the style story of the new Millennium. It all began with the return of the mac last year when simple, A-line waterproofs became all the rage.

Next was the come-back of the century, when classic English outerwear house Burberry became the epitome of catwalk chic. The famous beige coats with their distinctive red, white and black checks were given a modern image with the help of a super-stylish advertising campaign which featured Kate Moss in the famous plaid, photographed by leading fashion snapper Mario Testino.

As ever, where the catwalk has led, the high street has followed. Trenchcoats are a key look for spring in the latest chain store collections.

For the real McCoy, check out Burberry at York's McArthurGlen Designer Outlet. Thomas Burberry gave us the original trenchcoat. He set up his company in London in 1891 and during the First World War designed coats for the military. This model became the Great War trenchcoat and was later adapted for civilian wear.

At the designer outlet, Burberry has a selection of trenchcoats at knock-down prices, beginning at £195. If that is out of your price range, you can always opt for an accessory in the famous Burberry check: golfing umbrellas £28 down from £39.95, silk square scarves are £35 down from £99.50, rain hats at £29.50 from £55 and handbags starting at £75.

Burberry manager Lynn Firth says the check is growing in demand.

"We have found that in the past couple of months, because people have seen Burberry featured in the magazines, they are wanting anything with the Burberry check - in fact anything that is recognisable as Burberry."

The Burberry trenchcoat is a style classic which has influenced other manufacturers. Needless to say there are a range of belted coats available on the high street at prices to suit most pockets.

For a classic trench, pay a visit to Dannimac at Browns in Davygate or Four Seasons at Fenwick in Coppergate.

Dannimac's full-length trench comes in blue and cream in both a petite and regular fit. The cream one costs £129 but the blue is on offer at £99 and comes with a large blue brolly.

Jane Cowell, Dannimac manager, says: "This look is very much back in fashion. The appeal is that the trenchcoat suits everyone. It can be worn with or without the belt, open over a smart suit, or buttoned up and belted."

Four Seasons at Fenwick has a stylish -length trench available in cream or navy with a smart check lining. Available in petite and regular fits. The good news is for a limited period the coat, which normally costs £139, is reduced to £99. There is also a Four Seasons knee-length trench in inky-purple for £45 and a full-length cream trench from the Ensign collection at £59.

Joyce Finnerty, Four Seasons manager, said: "It's a classic look that has turned into fashion. It's an easy-to-wear garment - and it protects you from April showers."

Dorothy Perkins has put a twist into the traditional trench with its selection.

Look out for a black, calf-length, vinyl version with a biker collar and velcro belt at £40 and a short, PVC-style trench in oatmeal at £35.

If you are still not convinced that a trench can be funky, then it's time to think of accessories.

Add a splash of colour with a nifty neckerchief, a dinky bag, a zany brolly and cool shades.

Carol Allen, the personal shopper at Fenwick, has this advice: "We think of the trenchcoat as very traditional, which it can be. But it can also be fun.

"Funk it up with some trendy and up-to-the minute accessories. Tie a scarf in a pussy-bow, get yourself a rectangular bag-ette, think prints and snakeskin, add some colours like pink and lilac. It all looks very up-to-the minute.

"Either belt it really tightly, or tie it at the side, or behind. It looks great with the collar up.

"It's an original English look, brought up to date for the 21st century."

Win a coat

Outerwear specialists Dannimac at Browns of York and the Evening Press have joined forces to offer readers the chance to win a fantastic trenchcoat similar to the one featured in today's article.

The winner will receive a voucher to the value of £129 with which to buy the coat of their choice from the Dannimac department at the department store in York's Davygate.

For a chance to win, correctly answer this question: The trenchcoat was given its name after soldiers wore this design in which war?

Send your entry on a postcard, marked Dannimac competition, with your name, address and daytime telephone number, to Maxine Gordon, Features department, Evening Press, PO Box 35, 76-86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN. Deadline: Wednesday, May 5, 2000. Usual Evening Press rules apply. Please state if you do not wish your entry to be passed to Dannimac.

PICTURE: Short, PVC-style, belted jacket, Dorothy Perkins, £35. Burberry brolly £28, from McArthurGlen Designer Outlet and Dannimac brolly, free from Browns with purchase of blue Dannimac trenchcoat