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.
Burberrys London Vintage 1990s Large Bow Ribbon Relief Flower Leaf Gold Brooch
By Burberry
Located in Wokingham, England
Burberry London Vintage 1990s Textured Large Knot Bow Ribbon Relief Flower Leaf Chunky Brooch, Gold Tone Very excellent condition. 100% genuine. Book piece. A unique piece. This is...
Gold Plate
$251Sale Price|37% Off
1980s Burberry Sailing Ship Pave Crystal Gold Plated Brooch
By Burberry
Located in London, GB
1980's Burberry Vintage Sailing Ship Brooch Pin Pave Crystal Gold Plated, This pin is comprised of a textured, brushed gold and polished hull with a fully-...
Crystal
Philippe Ferrandis Gold Gilt Brooch Pin 1990s
By Philippe Ferrandis
Located in Wallkill, NY
Layered Filigree Philippe Ferrandis Pin New Old Stock (Never worn) In storage since purchased. Measuring 2.31 inches in diameter. Hallmarked Philippe Ferrandis. We Have hundreds of ...
Gilt Metal, Gold
Vintage 14k Yellow Gold 0.40tcw Sapphire Bumblebee Brooch
Located in New York, NY
This vintage 14k yellow gold bumblebee brooch features 0.40 total carats of sapphires that add lively color and sparkle to its charming design. The detailed goldwork forms wings, bod...
Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier 18K Yellow Gold American Flag Tie Pin
By Cartier
Located in Broomall, PA
Cartier 18K Yellow Gold American Flag Tie Pin Crafted with Cartier’s precise artistry, this American flag pin presents the classic symbol with thoughtful refinement. Red enamel stri...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$10,000Sale Price|20% Off
W 2.6 in L 3.1 in
Tony Duquette 18k Yellow Gold Citrine Starburst Pendant Brooch
By Tony Duquette
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Citrine starburst pendant brooch, featuring pear, oval and square-shaped citrine set in 18k yellow gold. Hinged fold down pendant loop at top...
Citrine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late Art Deco 79.00 Ct Untreated Large Madeira Citrine Brooch
Located in Napoli, IT
Tres Chic This amazingly large 79.00 CT natural untreated Madeira Citrine of the most wonderful colour, large oval faceted cut, very rare when untreated So chic and unique late Art D...
Citrine, 18k Gold
Cartier Retro 14K Yellow Gold Diamond Ruby Sapphire Vintage Shooting Star Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a shooting star motif comprised of clustered gems and fanning wire tail Cluster enters a star cut sapphire weighing approximately 0.45 carat Transparent medium blue and p...
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage TRIFARI crown silver tone designer brooch
By Trifari
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS • signed TRIFARI • silver tone • vintage designer brooch MEASUREMENTS • CONDITION • very good vintage condition with minimal signs of wear Sku 48 ❤️❤️ V...
Gold
Vintage gold tone rhinestone designer flower brooch
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS • unsigned • gold tone with rhinestones • vintage designer brooch MEASUREMENTS • CONDITION • very good vintage condition with minimal signs of wear Sku 57 ❤️❤️...
Bee Brooch in Sterling Silver, 24K Gold Plating, with Emeralds and Plique-à-jour
Located in BADALONA, ES
This sculptural bee brooch is crafted in sterling silver and plated in 24-karat gold. The body is adorned with vibrant natural emeralds, emphasizing the piece’s elegance and vivid ex...
Emerald, 24k Gold, Sterling Silver
Vintage gold tone bow dangle locket designer brooch
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS • unsigned • gold tone • vintage designer brooch MEASUREMENTS • CONDITION • very good vintage condition with minimal signs of wear Sku 49 ❤️❤️ VINTAGE DES...
$5,770
W 1 in L 2.5 in
Couture ElsaSchiaparelli FranceDepose FeatherCrystalGold Pagan BirdBrooch, c1938
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in Chicago, IL
Unusually decorated with small partridge feathers like the yellow-gold gilt necklace commissioned by Elsa Schiaparelli (1890-1973) that is featured on the front-and-back covers and centerfold of the French costume-jewelry hardcover book, Lina Baretti Parures, authored by Patrick Mauries, this unique pave-crystal yellow-gold gilt metal partridge-on-a-branch brooch is further distinguished as an unsigned Parisian-couture piece for Italian-born Schiaparelli with its combination of embossed text "Made In France" and "Modele Depose", along with the trombone clasp often used in the early 20th Century for custom-made French small brooches. The book centerfold on pages 90-91 shows a closeup of the feathered necklace created by French-born Corsican Baretti, whose intricate decoration often mixed ready-made textural or shiny materials like velvet, cork, metal wire, rhodoid, raffia or feathers with custom-made metal, plastic or glass by specialized Parisian workshops such as Maison Gripoix. The Baretti-book caption about the attributed necklace notes: "Collier realise pour Elsa Schiaparelli. Liege, soie, cannetille, perles de verre et plumes de perdix. Chaine en metal." While none of the captions date this necklace--which could have been from the same commission as our brooch--Baretti created one-of-a-kind jewelry for Schiaparelli from the 1930s to the early 1950s until the fashion designer retired. Our brooch was most likely made for a fashion-show debut of one of Schiaparelli's themed clothing collections in the late 1930s for which she commissioned many costume-jewelry paruriers including Baretti. See our photo of a Schiaparelli 1930s...
Crystal, Gold, Yellow Gold, Gilt Metal
Tiffany & Co. Schlumberger Citrine Bird on a Rock Diamond 18K Gold & Plat Brooch
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Oakton, VA
Tiffany & Co. Schlumberger Citrine Bird on a Rock Diamond 18K Gold & Platinum Brooch Metal: Platinum and 18K Yellow Gold Center Stone: Natural Citrine (Quartz) Carat Weight: ...
Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Burberry London Brooch Gold Tone 80s Bear
By Burberry
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
From the 1980s, this charming Burberrys gold-tone metal teddy bear brooch is a beautifully crafted accessory, finished with finely applied enamel for a vibrant, eye-catching shine. ...
Sold
W 1.78 in L 1.82 in
Burberrys London Vintage 1990s Large Bow Ribbon Relief Flower Leaf Gold Brooch
By Burberry
Located in Wokingham, England
Burberry London Vintage 1990s Textured Large Knot Bow Ribbon Relief Flower Leaf Chunky Brooch, Gold Tone Very excellent condition. 100% genuin...
Gold Plate
1980s Burberrys Terrier Dog Gold Plated Brooch
By Burberry
Located in London, GB
Vintage Burberrys Gold plated brooch featuring a terrier dog with crystal details. Condition: 1980s, vintage, very good, minimal wear Dimensions: 4x4cm
Crystal, Gold Plate
1980s Burberrys Gold Plated Teddy Bear Brooch
By Burberry
Located in London, GB
From the 1980s, this Burberrys Gold Tone Metal Teddy Bear Brooch is an exquisite accessory, lovingly enameled for a dazzling finish. Dimensions: 5x6cm ...
Crystal
Vintage Burberry 'BB' Logo Gold Tone Costume Brooch
By Burberry
Located in West Hollywood, CA
TheRealList presents: a gold-tone Burberry 'BB' brooch. This vintage costume brooch features sweeping and ornate interlocking B's. Follow us o...
Gold