The trench coat is one of those wardrobe staples that transcends gender, season and trend. It's a perfect lightweight counterpart to its cousin, the banker's coat, effortlessly integrating itself into every season of our lives. Whether it's thrown over a dress and heels in spring and summer, or the outermost layer, encasing our woollen jumper and trousers in those cool autumn and winter months, it remains a ubiquitous wardrobe staple.

At RUSSH, our appreciation for the classic trench is a well that runs very deep. Possibly one of our favourite categories in outerwear, sometimes it's considerate to trace our steps back in time and explore where these wardrobe staples have come from.

Originally invented to offer lighter weight alternatives to the heavy serge coats worn by British and French soldiers and what was traditionally water-proof in cotton drill or leather; the trench has now seen itself become one of the world's most coveted statements in winter dress. From shielding men in the trenches to cloaking women and streaming down runways worldwide, the trench coat has travelled a long way.

Most often always seen double breasted, belted, wide lapelled and storm flapped – we round up some of our favourites below from the more quaint, no frills classics by Blanca, to our graphic Jean Paul Gaultier pick at the very end. Australia's very own Camilla and Marc and Country Road do their take the women's trench, and of course, we have the trench coat's founding father, Thomas Burberry's classic silhouette that captured the hearts of the mainstream. Below we round up our favourites in the realms of a classic to inspire or aspire you in what to covet for this winter.

1. BLANCA Hailey Trench in Black

2. Alaia PVC Blue Trench Coat

3. CAMILLA AND MARC Reyes Trench Coat

4. CHLOE Whipstitched Leather Trench Coat

5. THE ROW Montrose Oversized Double-breasted Belted Trench Coat

6. BURBERRY Long Waterloo Heritage Trench Coat

7. KNWLS Beige Issa Trench Coat

8. ASSEMBLY LABEL Kirby Twill Trench

9. CUE Leather Darted Trench

10. A.P.C. Double-breasted Twill Trench Coat

11. BASSIKE Hooded Leather Trench Coat

12. Jean Paul Gaultier Tromp O'leil Trench Coat 

Never one to look past a well rounded trench, however for those seeking inspiration elsewhere, RUSSH may already have you covered. For more of our winter ideals in jumpers & cardigans, winter coats or leather jackets take a glimpse at our coveted favourites in RUSSH winter round ups, here for your perusal.