Trench coat connection

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 27, 2026

The Victoria and Albert Museum in London is hosting an exhibition showcasing the trench coat’s lasting influence across film, television, music, and fashion. This display highlights the coat’s role as a cultural icon embraced by notable figures from detectives like Inspector Clouseau to rock stars and royalty, demonstrating its enduring relevance over nearly a century.

The trench coat, a timeless fashion staple, continues to capture the public imagination, as demonstrated by a current exhibition at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. The display highlights the garment’s enduring appeal through its association with numerous iconic figures in film, television, music, and beyond.

The coat’s popularity spans decades and a variety of cultural moments. In 1964, Peter Sellers first donned the trench coat as Inspector Clouseau in the classic comedy "The Pink Panther," a role that solidified the coat’s link to the archetypal detective character. Similarly, Peter Falk’s portrayal of the shabbily dressed yet cunning detective Columbo in the early 1970s further entrenched the coat’s image in popular culture as part of a sleuth’s signature look.

Television detective roles continued to elevate the trench coat’s profile, with Angela Lansbury embracing the garment throughout her long run as amateur sleuth Jessica Fletcher in the American series "Murder, She Wrote," which aired 264 episodes beginning in 1984. The coat was equally prominent beyond the detective genre: Richard Wilson appeared with co-star Jan Francis wearing trench coats during the 1993 launch of the drama "Under The Hammer," set in the art auction world.

In the realm of film, the trench coat has also served as a symbol of sophistication and style. American actor Jack Lemmon, nominated for an Oscar for his role in the 1960 film "The Apartment," was pictured sporting the garment, underlining its status as a classic wardrobe element for leading men.

The trench coat’s reach extends to music and even unexpected domains such as pet fashion. Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts was known to wear a trench coat during arrivals at Heathrow Airport in the 1980s, reinforcing the coat’s association with rock ’n’ roll cool. Meanwhile, in 1971 the American department store Saks introduced a dog fashion line, with trench coats among its bestselling pieces, illustrating the garment’s cultural penetration beyond human wearers.

More recently, the garment has been embraced in the world of sports and royal events. Zara Phillips was seen wearing a trench coat during a 2007 walk into the paddock, blending regal poise with classic outerwear. In 2010, actor Larry Lamb wore a trench coat while attending the British Soap Awards, where he was recognized for his role in the soap opera "EastEnders."

These moments, spanning film, television, music, fashion, and sport, affirm the trench coat’s place as a versatile and enduring piece of clothing. Its presence in popular culture underscores its adaptability and continued relevance nearly a century after its invention.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.