Burberry: From British Heritage to Modern Streetwear Icon
Posted by jonathan kemp on
Burberry is one of the defining names in British fashion.
Founded by Thomas Burberry in 1856, the brand built its reputation on clothing designed to withstand the unpredictable British climate. From weather-resistant fabrics to functional outerwear, practicality was at the heart of the brand from the beginning.
More than 170 years later, Burberry's most recognisable designs have moved far beyond their original purpose, becoming staples of vintage fashion, streetwear and contemporary wardrobes.
Where Burberry Began
Thomas Burberry opened his first shop in Basingstoke in 1856, producing clothing designed to protect people from the elements.
The brand's breakthrough came in 1879 with the development of gabardine, a lightweight, breathable and weather-resistant fabric. Unlike the heavier waterproof materials commonly used at the time, gabardine offered protection from the rain without restricting movement.
It would become the foundation for one of Burberry's most iconic designs.
The Trench Coat
During the First World War, Burberry developed the trench coat for military use.
Every detail had a purpose. Epaulettes, D-rings, a storm shield, gun flap and belted waist were designed around the practical needs of soldiers, while gabardine provided protection from harsh weather.
After the war, the trench moved into civilian life. Its clean structure and practicality made it equally suited to the city, and it gradually became associated with British style far beyond its military origins.
The design has remained part of Burberry's identity ever since, with the classic silhouette continually reinterpreted through different fabrics, proportions and details.
Then Came the Check
The Burberry Check began as something much more subtle.
Introduced as a lining for rainwear in the 1920s, the pattern was initially only glimpsed when coats were opened or moved. By the 1960s, however, customers were asking for the Check itself, and it began appearing across accessories.
The Burberry scarf followed in the 1970s and helped establish the pattern as one of the brand's most recognisable signatures.
What started as an interior detail had become a symbol of the brand.
From Heritage to Streetwear
Burberry's story isn't limited to luxury fashion.
During the 1990s and early 2000s, the Check became closely associated with British street culture, appearing across music, football culture, celebrity style and everyday dress.
Its popularity eventually became a challenge for the brand, as the Check's association with street culture moved away from the luxury image Burberry wanted to maintain. The brand reduced its use of the pattern and worked to reposition itself.
Today, that period has become part of the appeal of vintage Burberry.
As 1990s and Y2K fashion continues to influence contemporary streetwear, vintage Burberry pieces have found a new audience. Older trenches, Check shirts, scarves and oversized outerwear offer something that new pieces can't replicate: a connection to a particular moment in British fashion.
Why Vintage Burberry Still Works
Vintage Burberry has become popular not simply because it is recognisable, but because many of the pieces are surprisingly easy to wear today.
A classic trench works with tailoring, denim or a hoodie. A vintage Check scarf can be styled with sportswear. Oversized wool coats and jackets fit naturally into the relaxed silhouettes of modern streetwear.
The key is not recreating the decade a piece came from. It's taking the original design and styling it differently.
Look out for:
- Vintage Burberry trench coats
- Burberry Check scarves
- Wool overcoats
- Vintage Check shirts
- 1990s and early 2000s outerwear
- Oversized jackets and coats
Reworking the Archive
Burberry continues to draw from its archive while changing how those designs look and feel.
The trench has been reimagined through new proportions, fabrics and constructions, while the Check has appeared in different colours, placements and treatments.
It's a reminder that heritage doesn't have to mean looking backwards. The strongest archive pieces can move between generations because their designs are distinctive without being tied to one particular trend.
A More Circular Future
There is also a natural connection between Burberry's history and the growing interest in buying second-hand.
Many of the brand's most famous pieces were designed with longevity in mind, and extending the life of existing clothing is increasingly important as fashion looks towards more circular ways of working.
Burberry has introduced repair and aftercare initiatives alongside work around responsible sourcing and circularity. But second--hand fashion offers another way to keep those garments in use.
A vintage Burberry trench that has already been worn for years can continue into another wardrobe rather than being replaced by something new. Its history becomes part of the appeal.
For vintage shoppers, that's one of the biggest advantages: you're not just buying the look of Burberry, you're giving an existing piece another life.
From the Trenches to the Streets
Burberry's journey is a distinctly British one.
Gabardine was developed to protect against the weather. The trench coat was created for military use. The Check began as a lining before becoming a global signature. Decades later, those same designs became part of British street culture and are now being rediscovered through vintage and contemporary fashion.
That's why Burberry continues to feel relevant. Its archive isn't simply a collection of old designs. It's a wardrobe of pieces that have already adapted to different eras, and can keep doing so.
From the trenches to the streets, Burberry proves that the most enduring clothes are often the ones that leave room for their next chapter.
