David Beckham wearing Burberry trench coat and check scarf, Manchester Airport. Mr International decide to dress in some British style for his brief home-coming. Happily for the Red Devils, Becks arrived stylish and left in tears.

The trench coat was developed as an alternative to the heavy serge greatcoats worn by British and French soldiers in the First World War. Invention of the trench coat is claimed by both Burberry and Aquascutum, with Aquascutum’s claim dating back to the 1850s. Thomas Burberry, the inventor of gabardine fabric, submitted a design for an army officer’s raincoat to the United Kingdom War Office in 1901.

The trench coat became an optional item of dress in the British Army, and was obtained by private purchase by officers and Warrant Officers Class I who were under no obligation to own them. No other ranks were permitted to wear them. Another optional item was the British Warm, a wool coat similar to the greatcoat that was shorter in length, also worn by British officers and Warrant Officers Class I as an optional piece.

During the First World War, the design of the trenchcoat was modified to include shoulder straps and D-rings. The shoulder straps were for the attachment of epaulettes or other rank insignia; There is a popular myth that the D-ring was for the attachment of hand grenades. The ring was originally for map cases and swords or other equipment to the belt. This latter pattern was dubbed “trench coat” by the soldiers in the front line. Many veterans returning to civilian life kept the coats that became fashionable for both men and women.

During the Second World War, officers of the United Kingdom continued to use the trench coat on the battlefield in inclement weather. Other nations also developed trench coat style jackets, notably the United States and Soviet Union, and other armies of continental Europe such as France, Germany, Holland, Poland (and are often seen in war zone photographs in the 1939-40 era, even worn by troops on the attack), although as the war progressed, in the field shorter “field jackets” became more popular, including garments such as the Denison smock used by British commandos, paratroopers, and snipers and the M1941/M1943 field jackets used by the US Army. These garments were shorter and more practical than the trench coat, and as such they allowed the wearer to be more mobile.

A typical trench coat by this period was a ten-buttoned, double-breasted long coat made with tan, khaki, beige, or black fabric. Trench coats often have cuff straps on the raglan sleeves, shoulder straps and a belt. The trench coat was typically worn as a windbreaker or as a rain jacket, and not for protection from the cold in winter or snowy conditions.

It was obvious to all fashionistas the real motivation for the Beckham trans-atlantic switch was his obsession with Italian fashion. Thanks to our friends at WWD a touch more light is shed on the reality.

“As David Beckham couldn’t make it to the front row at Dolce & Gabbana on Saturday afternoon, the front row came to Beckham later that evening. Standing only steps from the field in the designers’ private box, Domenico Dolce, Stefano Gabbana, a bevy of editors and Formula One driver Felipe Massa looked on as Beckham played for soccer club AC Milan. “Beckham! Beckham! Amore! Amore!” the fashion pack cheered, braving the cold and the cacophony of yelps and boos typical of the Italian soccer experience. “Can you believe how big a soccer sponsor we’ve become?” joked Domenico Dolce, pointing out a colossal Dolce & Gabbana sign that ran alongside the field. Beckham’s wife Victoria and their three children also came to show support, but opted for the view from the presidential lodge above. On Sunday afternoon, Beckham, the star of Emporio Armani’s steamy underwear campaign, scrubbed up and suited up to take in the Emporio show, his arrival evoking audible sighs, but hardly the pandemonium of the pitch. “We’re civilized,” sniffed one men’s editor. “I’m enjoying my time in Milan so far and I want to make the most of it,” Beckham told WWD. “The club, players and fans have been amazing to me so far and have made me very welcome so far. … It’s rare I have time to make a show so I enjoyed it.” Still, he doesn’t seem ready to trade in his cleats for brogues. “My priority though is working hard and playing well for AC Milan,” he assured.” Source: WWD.

New AC Milan loan signing David Beckham has acknowledged that playing for Los Angeles Galaxy has affected his England career and said he was glad to be back at a top class side.

Beckham, who joins the Serie A club in January on a two-month loan during the U.S. close season, has reputedly been quoted as saying he’s itching to hit the world-famous Milan fashion boutiques. David Beckham, widely known as the face of Armani, is a big fan of a whole host of Italian brands. It seems Milan is a perfect match!

David Beckham, aka golden balls, and his wife Victoria have joined French President Nicolas Sarkozy on a list of world’s best-dressed people as composed by Vanity Fair. “It’s not just about how much someone spends, it is about having real elegance, style, and individuality,” said Amy Fine Collins of Vanity Fair. Has Amy seen dVb! Becks may look sharp in a geezerish kind of way but elegant? Nuh!