We were thinking about wardrobe staples the other day, musing on why these essentials become so necessary, and suddenly it hit us. Much like Madonna, the high priestess of reinvention, these pieces gain their timeless, universal appeal through their ability to adapt and evolve with the latest trends. Today's subject-the trench coat-illustrates this point perfectly. Officially designed in 1901 by Thomas Burberry, the original trench was simple in silhouette and decidedly utilitarian in both use (a raincoat for British military officers) and material (gabardine). Since then, however, designers have updated the trench in countless ways, which explains why it's always one of the most in-demand outerwear options on the market. Currently worn by tastemakers like Julia Restoin-Roitfeld and Kate Moss, this coat is still the coolest, which is exactly why we're focusing on it in today's How They Wear story. We've got a fabulous roundup of some of the best trenches available now, as well as tons of outfit ideas involving this must-have piece, so surely you'll find something that works for you!