Burberry Slides
2010s Italian Sandals
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Slippers
2010s Sandals
2010s Australian Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Emerald, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1990s Italian Collars
1990s Italian Hats
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Australian Artist Engagement Rings
Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Wrist Watches
Malachite, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Contemporary Wrist Watches
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1970s Swiss Wrist Watches
18k Gold
Vintage 1960s Swiss Wrist Watches
14k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
1990s Italian Heels
1990s Italian Chemises
Vintage 1970s Swiss Modern Wrist Watches
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Recent Sales
2010s Italian Slippers
2010s Italian Slippers
2010s Italian Sandals
2010s Italian Sandals
2010s Italian Sandals
2010s Italian Sandals
2010s Italian Sandals
2010s Italian Slippers
2010s British Sandals
2010s Italian Sandals
2010s Italian Sandals
2010s Italian Sandals
2010s Italian Sandals
2010s British Sandals
21st Century and Contemporary Trench Coats
21st Century and Contemporary Wallets
2010s Italian Hobo Bags
2010s British Hobo Bags
21st Century and Contemporary British Hobo Bags
2010s Romanian Hobo Bags
21st Century and Contemporary British Jackets
2010s Italian Top Handle Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Boots
21st Century and Contemporary British Bikinis
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Skirt Suits
Burberry for sale on 1stDibs
Burberry, a luxury British fashion house with origins in battlefield gear and outfitting real-life explorers, is universally renowned for its vintage trench coats, jackets, footwear and handbags. The brand has undergone several transformations since its inception in the 19th century.
When the 21-year-old apprentice draper Thomas Burberry (1835–1926) opened a small clothing outfitter in Basingstoke, Hampshire, in 1856, he catered to the needs of the local population, focusing on weatherproof clothing designed for outdoor activities like hunting, riding and fishing.
Building on his success, Burberry researched more fabrics that would be suitable for these country pursuits. In 1888, he patented gabardine, a durable, breathable fabric that was ready for any British weather. The material was groundbreaking for rainwear, which previously had been bulky and heavy. Norwegian explorer Fridtjof Nansen wore it on his 1893 North Pole expedition and Burberry later outfitted Sir Ernest Shackleton on his Antarctic expeditions. These high-profile demonstrations of its design for extreme conditions fueled Burberry’s growth as a trusted brand.
The Tielocken coat — a forerunner to the trench coat — was patented in 1912, featuring just a button at the collar and a single strap. Higher-ranking British officers during World War I donned trench coats designed by the likes of Burberry, Aquascutum and other firms.
The design of Burberry’s classic trench demonstrated a consideration of the demand for both weather protection and function on the battlefield, with every element having its purpose, whether it was the epaulets for an officer’s rank or the gun flap at the breast. When the now-familiar check — a plaid check with black, white and red stripes on a background of beige — was added as a lining during the 1920s, a fashion icon was born. Scarves and other items featuring the pattern rendered the Burberry plaid an instantly recognizable hallmark of the house around the globe.
The brand continued to gain popularity throughout the 20th century, but by the 1990s, it was in dire need of a refresh. By the time Christopher Bailey was named design director at Burberry in 2001, the check was so ubiquitous through rampant knockoffs that it had become a reference for kitsch rather than quality.
Drawing on its heritage of craftsmanship with a new streetwear edge, Bailey helped rebuild Burberry’s relevance as a reputable fashion brand. Key to this reimagining was developing an understanding of how to democratically market high-end luxury fashion. Milestones in this regard materialized in 2010, when Burberry became the first brand to livestream a fashion show (and did so using 3D technology), and in 2020, when the house brought its London Fashion Week presentation to Twitch, a popular American livestreaming service. The international visibility brought with it renewed interest in the brand, which eventually revived its tartan after dropping it from many of its clothes, including in a 2018 collaboration with Russian designer Gosha Rubchinskiy that swathed shirts, dresses, coats and bags in the check.
Although tastes have changed, the signature trench coats that date back to Burberry’s beginnings remain at the brand’s core, with new fabrics and fits continuing to adapt this British style classic to contemporary trends.
Find vintage Burberry trench coats, shoes, handbags and other outerwear and accessories on 1stDibs.
- Why is Burberry so expensive?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Since its inception in 1856, Burberry has become one of the world's most premiere fashion houses. Known for the classic trench coats with a plaid lining, Burberry pieces are made with high quality materials and attention to detail.