Burberry patented as cloth called gabardine in 1879. He 
then began making all types of gabardine clothes for field 
sports and items that are today country classics. He opened 
a shop in London in 1891 and then the firm spread to Paris, 
Berlin and New York. In its original form the trench coat 
was part of First World War airmen's military uniform. 
Today it is a classic garment.