Burberry
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.
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Burberry fashion for sale 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024Burberry's changed to Burberry in 1999. Interestingly, the British luxury fashion house actually returned to its original name with the move. When Thomas Burberry founded the company in 1856, he chose the name Burberry, but it was modified to Burberry's during the early 20th century. Find a diverse assortment of Burberry apparel and accessories on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 26, 2024Yes, there is a difference between Burberry and Burberry Brit. Burberry is the overall name of the British luxury fashion house. On the other hand, Burberry Brit is a single brand produced by Burberry. It consists of clothing and accessories with a more casual spirit, geared toward a younger demographic. Find a diverse assortment of Burberry apparel and accessories on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024The difference between Burberry Brit and Burberry Prorsum comes down to style and price. Burberry Brit is the casual apparel collection offered by the luxury British fashion house Burberry. The company's high fashion, dressier label is Burberry Prorsum. Generally, Burberry Prorsum pieces sell at higher prices than those that bear the Burberry Brit name. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Burberry apparel and accessories.
- What is Prorsum in Burberry?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 16, 2024In Burberry, Prorsum is the name of a label. Launched in 1999, Burberry Prorsum is the British luxury fashion house's high-end line of men's and women's apparel and accessories. Burberry discontinued the label in 2015 and began producing the collection under the Burberry name, but in 2023, it was revived. The word “prorsum” is Latin and means “absolutely” or “ultimately.” In 1901, Burberry added the word to its logo, and the name of the Burberry Prorsum line is a reference to that. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Burberry apparel and accessories.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024The TB in Burberry means Thomas Burberry. In 1856, at the age of 21, he founded the luxury fashion house of Burberry by opening his own store in Basingstoke, England. As a tribute to the founder, Burberry incorporates the monogram of his initials into many of its designs. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of Burberry apparel and accessories.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022There are three styles of Burberry trench coats that have remained popular over the years: the Chelsea, the Kensington and the Westminster. On 1stDibs, you can find a collection of authentic Burberry trench coats from some of the world’s top sellers.
- Is Burberry considered luxury?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 26, 2024Yes, Burberry is considered luxury. Since its founding in 1856 as a high-end outdoor apparel brand, Burberry has maintained a stellar reputation for its weather-ready fabrics, such as gabardine, which founder Thomas Burberry patented in 1888. Many of the brand's pieces, including its iconic trench coats and handbags, are handmade by skilled artisans as well. On 1stDibs, shop a large collection of Burberry apparel and accessories.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 27, 2024The difference between Burberry and Mulberry is that the two luxury fashion brands are different British companies. Thomas Burberry founded Burberry in 1856, and his label is well-known for its trench coats and apparel and accessories featuring the classic Burberry check plaid print. Roger Saul established Mulberry in 1917. Today, the brand is most famous for its iconic handbags, such as the Bayswater, the Alexa and the Amberley. Explore a wide variety of Burberry and Mulberry pieces on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022How you wear a Burberry silk scarf is largely a matter of personal preference. You can wrap it around your neck and knot it on one side or center the knot and tie a bow for a romantic look. Alternatively, you can wear it as a headband or even a bracelet. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Burberry scarves.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The original Burberry trench coat was the Tielocken coat. Thomas Burberry patented the men's coat in 1912. Since then, the British luxury fashion house has become known for producing coats in its style for both men and women. You'll find a variety of Burberry trench coats on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The Vivienne Westwood and Burberry collaboration was released in 2018 and was only a limited edition collection. To buy the pieces, you could try any luxury fashion resale or consignment boutique. You can also find vintage and contemporary Vivienne Westwood bags, clothing and shoes from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 7, 2024To tell if a Burberry Brit coat is real, check the inside lining for the material and care instructions tag. By comparing your tag to images of labels from genuine coats found on trusted online resources, you may spot inconsistencies that indicate your piece is a replica. Most Burberry coats will also have a 13-digit serial number printed on this tag, and you can cross-reference yours to images published online as another step in the authentication process. Finally, look closely at the buttons. Authentic Burberry Brit coats will usually have the Burberry name in two places on their buttons, while many counterfeits will have plain buttons or ones emblazoned with single wordmarks. If you need assistance with authenticating your coat, seek the opinion of a certified appraiser or other knowledgeable expert. On 1stDibs, explore a collection of Burberry outerwear.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022When checking the authenticity of your Burberry silk scarf, first look at the stitching. If it is uneven and patchy, it is likely a fake. Also, if a brand label is included, it should be crisp and clear, with no fraying. You can shop expertly vetted Burberry designs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.