I saw a kickin' LF trench over the weekend. I loved the style, but am wondering if I would be buying a "fake". Should I hold out indefinitely for a more expensive Burberry or get the LF I love right now?
^^ Agree. London Fog has been around forever! My grandparents have coats from LF from the 1980's. I think the company was founded in the 1920/1930's, so they are not really a fake, IMO. The particular style may be close to Burberry, but LF makes tons of trenches and always has. I don't see LF copying a Burberry design outright either. They are a pretty classic, bit of a basic brand.
It's definitely a nice brand with stores in upscale malls and so on. But I agree they seem to be a less expensive version of Burberry.
As for your trenchcoat decision, if you love this coat... then why hold out for the Burberry coat? It's more expensive, more widely faked, and the only thing you're paying extra for is the Burberry label insides --- as I think they're about the same quality-wise.
I think London Fog makes a great quality coat. Much cheaper than a Burberry. I bought one back in the 70's ( it's gone, alas.) With the money you save on the LF, you could do something else.