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Let's get real for a second: Almost everyone loves a trench coat. And even the people who usually don't tend to love this Percival version, a lightweight, waterproof, mid-length number that remains one of menswear's best answers to gloomy weather. These days, the trench coat's appeal is pretty simple, especially given 2024's already-well-established rep for meteorological unpredictability. So much so that the coat rack at GQ HQ is positively inundated with the silhouette year-round, and right now is no exception.
At $360, Percival's Sherlock trench coat isn't exactly cheap, but it's an investment that keeps paying dividends. As you might expect, it's damn-near weatherproof, offering a subtle but durable barrier between you and the elements. “The Sherlock came about from trying to create a perfect trans-seasonal offering," Chris Gove, Percival's co-founder, says. "Can we create the everyday essential to last all year, for all situations?"
Where the traditional trench is rich with old-school flair, Percival's take is defined by its simplicity. Cut with a fuss-free single-breasted silhouette, it boasts a straight line of buttons and a clean, mod-like shape. “Classic trench designs have a few bells and whistles left over from Victorian and military history,” Gove points out. "I stripped them all off and found a fabric that is unlined and bonded so there's no bagged outlining—but still remains waterproof, ready for a couple of hours in the city rain.”
Despite its sleek design, though, the Sherlock offers more than enough storage to haul your daily knickknacks, thanks to a huge internal pocket capable of storing a 13-inch MacBook—or, as Gove stresses, a few bottles of red depending on your priorities. The Sherlock might be named after the wily detective that brought Benedict Cumberbatch to your TV, but you don't need masterful observational skills to spot that it's a pretty slick piece of work.
When it comes to styling, we'd recommend leaning into the Sherlock's smart-casual feel with rich earth tones and classic silhouettes. (A polished pair of brogues never hurts, either.) But if you're feeling a bit more dandyish, surround it with patterned knit polos, wide-leg trousers, and flashes of retro-inspired jewelry. “I've been pairing the tan or watcher-check colorways with either cotton or toweling polo shirts for that sort of 'Riviera, but make it London' vibe,” Grove says.
When you factor in its versatility, the Sherlock punches well above its $360 price tag. It's not the cheapest trench coat on the market, but few counterparts offer as much value for the money. It's a good deal, period—and thanks to the generous fellas at Percival, it just got even better. For a limited time, the Sherlock is 25% less than usual, a juicy bargain that feels perfectly primed to help you weather those imminent spring showers (and a great place to park that tax refund). Which makes buying one for yourself…elementary, my dear Watson.
This story was originally published on British GQ with the headline, “Percival's 'Sherlock' trench coat: The Case of the Perfect Spring Layer”.