Six of the best

TRENCH & RAINCOATS

1] Burberry Prorsum Cognac Quilted Leather (£2,215) Christopher Bailey has transformed Burberry’s trench to celebrate its 150th anniversary. In the softest of leather and a rich autumnal colour, this coat was a hit in Milan—sophisticated, British, but not for animal lovers. www.burberry.com

2] Burberry Prorsum Canvas House Check (£925) This skinny trench looks great with an oversized bag. Worn belted or loose, hood up or down, it’s perfect for the girl about town or the business traveller. It’s got Ellen Barkin in Sea of Love sex appeal, too. www.burberry.com

3] Bamford & Sons’s Drive coat (£1,250) To survive the colder months, why not invest in this beautifully designed, olive green trench—it’s got a cashmere lining and is made from wool covert. It’s best worn under an umbrella though—the wet look went out in the 1980s. www.bamfordandsons.com

4] Ozwald Boateng Cream Raincoat (£695) The creative director for Givenchy menswear always brings some Savile Row snap to whatever he’s working on. This coat, from his own Autumn/Winter ‘06 collection, is natty and sophisticated, just like the man himself. www.ozwaldboateng.co.uk

5] Nigel Hall Menswear Roy in Stone (£265) A-list celebrities wear Nigel Hall’s clothes but if you want to go undercover (the new Bond film is out in November) try this espionage special: a double-breasted trench with a woven pinstripe lining.It’s simple, delicate and discreet. www.nigelhallmenswear.co.uk

6] The Biba Raincoat (£415) This short and sassy raincoat, designed by Bella Freud, who counts Madonna as a client, is part of Biba’s first ready-to-wear collection since 1975. It comes in ivory or black and is made from 100 per cent cotton gabardine. Yeah baby, yeah! www.bibaexperience.com