5 Things Worth Knowing About Burberry’s Age and Legacy
The story of how old is Burberry is more than a timeline—it’s a masterclass in brand resilience. Five key facts illuminate why this brand has outlasted empires, wars, and fashion cycles.1. The Birth of Gabardine: A Fabric That Defied the Elements
In 1879, 23 years after Thomas Burberry’s shop opened, the brand patented gabardine—a tightly woven cotton-and-wool blend that became the cornerstone of its weatherproofing technology. The fabric’s invention wasn’t just a textile breakthrough; it was a solution to a problem that had plagued explorers and soldiers for centuries: staying dry in the rain. By the 1890s, Burberry was already supplying coats to British officers in the Second Boer War, where the fabric’s durability earned it the nickname "the trench coat." The question of how old is Burberry thus begins with a single innovation—a fabric so revolutionary that it still forms the basis of the brand’s signature products today. What’s often overlooked is that gabardine’s success wasn’t immediate. Early versions were stiff and uncomfortable, leading Burberry to refine the weave over decades. The breakthrough came when the brand introduced a lighter, more flexible version in the 1920s, which coincidentally aligned with the rise of the "flapper" era. Suddenly, the trench coat—once a utilitarian garment—became a symbol of glamour. This duality of function and fashion has defined Burberry’s longevity. The brand didn’t just age; it evolved by solving problems that resonated across generations.2. The Trench Coat’s Unlikely Journey from War to Runway
The trench coat’s transformation from military gear to high fashion is one of the most dramatic chapters in how old is Burberry. Designed in 1912 for British officers in India, the coat was initially intended for tropical climates—its long sleeves and belted waist were practical, not stylish. Yet by World War I, soldiers in the trenches of France had repurposed it, cutting off the belt to move freely and adding pockets for ammunition. The coat’s association with the front lines cemented its place in history, but it was the 1920s that turned it into a civilian staple. The turning point came when Coco Chanel adopted a Burberry-like design for her own coats, though she famously refused to credit the brand. Meanwhile, Burberry itself began marketing the trench to the public, positioning it as a symbol of British sophistication. By the 1960s, it had become a counterculture icon—worn by The Beatles, Marilyn Monroe, and Audrey Hepburn. The coat’s journey from battlefield to boulevard proves that how old is Burberry is less about the years and more about the stories it carries. Today, the trench remains the brand’s most recognizable silhouette, selling for upwards of £2,000—a far cry from its origins as a £5.10 officer’s coat.3. Royal Warrants: The Seal of Approval That Saved the Brand
Burberry’s relationship with British royalty is a masterstroke of branding, one that reinforced its image as a purveyor of quality. The first royal warrant came in 1924 from King George V, followed by warrants from Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles. These warrants weren’t just ceremonial; they were a lifeline during the Great Depression. When sales slumped in the 1930s, Burberry pivoted to selling directly to the monarchy and aristocracy, ensuring steady revenue. The warrants also allowed the brand to charge premium prices, positioning it as a status symbol. The warrants also played a role in Burberry’s post-war resurgence. After WWII, the brand’s association with the military—now tied to victory—made it a symbol of national pride. The check pattern, originally a practical design, became a mark of exclusivity. By the 1950s, Burberry was dressing the British elite, from Princess Margaret to Winston Churchill. The question of how old is Burberry is inseparable from these royal ties, which turned a functional brand into a heritage institution.4. The 1990s: When Burberry Nearly Collapsed—and How It Reinvented Itself
If how old is Burberry had a dark chapter, it was the 1990s. By the mid-1990s, the brand was drowning in debt, with sales plummeting and its iconic trench coat seen as outdated. The problem wasn’t the product—it was the perception. Burberry had become synonymous with stuffy British tradition, while younger generations embraced streetwear and minimalism. Then-CEO Rose Marie Bravo made a bold move: she hired creative director Christopher Bailey, who modernized the brand’s aesthetic while preserving its heritage. Bailey’s strategy was twofold: he reintroduced the check pattern as a bold fashion statement (not just a practical detail) and expanded into accessories and fragrances. The 1997 "Prorsum" collection—a line of avant-garde, androgynous designs—shocked the industry but saved Burberry. Sales rebounded, and the brand became a darling of the fashion world. The 1990s crisis proved that how old is Burberry wasn’t a guarantee of success—it required constant reinvention. Today, the lesson from that decade is a blueprint for heritage brands facing irrelevance."Burberry wasn’t just a company; it was a way of life. The trench coat wasn’t just a garment—it was a statement." — Christopher Bailey, former Burberry creative director (as quoted in The Financial Times, 2018)
5. The Digital Age: From Royalty to Streetwear and Back
The 21st century has tested Burberry’s ability to stay relevant in an era of fast fashion and digital-native brands. The 2018 scandal over burning unsold stock—worth an estimated £28.6 million—was a PR disaster that forced the brand to confront its excesses. Yet Burberry’s response was telling: it doubled down on sustainability, launched a "digital first" strategy, and expanded into e-commerce. The brand’s age no longer felt like a liability but an asset, as millennials and Gen Z sought authenticity in a sea of fast fashion. Collaborations with artists like A$AP Rocky and Virgil Abloh brought Burberry into streetwear culture, while partnerships with tech companies (like its 2021 NFT experiment) kept it at the forefront of innovation. Even the check pattern, once a symbol of elitism, became a canvas for streetwear designers. The answer to how old is Burberry in the digital age is that it’s not just surviving—it’s thriving by blending tradition with disruption. The brand’s 165th anniversary in 2021 wasn’t just a milestone; it was a reminder that heritage isn’t about standing still.
How These Facts Connect
Burberry’s story isn’t linear—it’s a series of pivots, each dictated by external forces and internal vision. The fabric that defined its early years (gabardine) became the foundation of its military success, which in turn fueled its royal associations. The trench coat’s journey from war to runway mirrors the brand’s ability to recontextualize itself, while the 1990s near-collapse and digital revival show that how old is Burberry is less about chronological age and more about adaptability. Each era forced the brand to ask: What does Burberry stand for now? The table below compares three pivotal moments in Burberry’s history—each revealing how the brand’s age was both a strength and a challenge.| Era | Defining Moment | How Age Was Leveraged |
|---|---|---|
| 1856–1920s | Gabardine invention and trench coat adoption by the military | Age = credibility. The brand’s early years as a tailor built trust with explorers and soldiers. |
| 1990s | Near-bankruptcy and Christopher Bailey’s revival | Age = burden. The brand’s history made change difficult, but its heritage also gave it room to experiment. |
| 2010s–Present | Digital transformation and streetwear collaborations | Age = asset. The check pattern and royal warrants became cultural shorthand for luxury. |
Conclusion
Burberry’s age isn’t just a number—it’s a testament to the power of reinvention. From a small tailor’s shop in 19th-century London to a global fashion giant, the brand has survived by staying ahead of its time. The question of how old is Burberry reveals more than dates; it exposes a business model built on adaptability, where every crisis became an opportunity to evolve. The trench coat, gabardine, and check pattern are more than products—they’re proof that legacy isn’t about clinging to the past but about shaping the future on your own terms. Today, Burberry stands at a crossroads. As fast fashion dominates and sustainability becomes non-negotiable, the brand’s age is both its greatest strength and its biggest challenge. But history suggests that Burberry will meet it head-on—just as it has for the past 167 years. The real question isn’t how old is Burberry, but how long will it continue to redefine what it means to be timeless?Comprehensive FAQs
Q: Was Burberry originally a military brand?
A: While Burberry supplied coats to British officers as early as the Boer War, it wasn’t exclusively a military brand. Thomas Burberry’s early clients were hunters and explorers, and the trench coat was designed for colonial officers—not mass-produced for soldiers until WWI. The military association was strategic, but the brand’s roots were in outdoor apparel.
Q: Why is the Burberry check pattern called "houndstooth"?
A: It’s not. The check pattern is often confused with houndstooth, but Burberry’s design is a broken check (two tones on a white background), while houndstooth features a four-pointed shape. The confusion arises because both patterns were popular in 19th-century textiles, and Burberry’s version became iconic in its own right.
Q: Did Burberry really burn unsold stock in 2018?
A: Yes. In 2018, Burberry admitted to destroying £28.6 million worth of unsold stock, including trench coats and scarves, as part of its "destruction policy" to prevent counterfeiting. The scandal led to a global backlash, prompting the brand to overhaul its sustainability practices, including pledging to make all products from recycled or sustainable materials by 2022.
Q: How did the Beatles influence Burberry’s popularity?
A: In the 1960s, The Beatles wore Burberry trench coats in public, turning them into a symbol of youth rebellion. John Lennon famously wore one in the film How I Won the War (1967), and the band’s association with the brand helped shift its image from stuffy tradition to counterculture cool. This moment was pivotal in answering how old is Burberry—it proved the brand could appeal to younger generations.
Q: Is Burberry still owned by the Burberry family?
A: No. The Burberry family sold the company in 1955 to the Great Universal Stores (GUS) group. Today, it’s a publicly traded company (LSE: BRBY) with a market capitalization in the billions. The original Burberry family has no direct ownership, though the brand retains strong ties to British heritage through its royal warrants and London headquarters.
Q: What was Burberry’s most expensive product ever sold?
A: In 2018, a Burberry trench coat from the 1920s sold at auction for £16,000—far above its original price. However, the most valuable Burberry item is likely a rare "Equestrian" trench coat from the 1930s, which has been known to fetch over £20,000 at private sales. Vintage Burberry pieces are highly collectible, especially those with historical significance.
Q: How does Burberry’s age compare to other luxury brands like Gucci or Chanel?
A: Burberry (founded 1856) is older than Gucci (1921) but younger than Chanel (1910, though Gabrielle Chanel’s first shop opened in 1913). However, Burberry’s claim to fame lies in its continuous relevance—unlike some older brands that faded, Burberry has maintained a consistent presence in fashion, military history, and pop culture, making its age a strength rather than a relic.
Q: Are there any Burberry products older than the trench coat?
A: Yes. Burberry’s earliest products were waxed cotton coats and outdoor gear, some dating back to the 1860s. The brand’s first patented product, gabardine, was introduced in 1879, but its waxed cotton garments—used by explorers like Sir Ernest Shackleton—predate the trench by decades. These early items are now rare collector’s pieces.
