Few prints are as recognizable as the Burberry check. Quintessentially British and steeped in heritage, the print dates back to the 1920s, when the brand first used it to line its cotton gabardine trench coats.
It wasn’t until 1967, however, that a Burberry buyer thought to wrap umbrellas and luggage in check lining. The house code went from discreet signature to full-fledged status symbol. From that moment, the check became more than just a lining—the print took various forms, applied to tops and bottoms, scarves, bags, and hats. Over the decades, the Burberry check has been embraced by fashion insiders, supermodels, and celebrities, absorbing the attitude of each era along the way.
How to Shop the Burberry Check Print:
Some of Burberry’s most memorable pop-culture moments belong to the ’90s and early aughts. Victoria Beckham made the scarf feel impossibly posh when worn as a headscarf, while Beyoncé wore the iconic check bikini in her “’03 Bonnie & Clyde” music video with Jay-Z. Liam Gallagher turned Burberry’s checked luggage into a Britpop travel flex. The print feels preppy, aspirational, and rebellious all at once.
As fashion continues to mine the archives for fresh perspective, the Burberry check remains a constant source of inspiration. The print is reinterpreted anew each season in a myriad of options with fresh energy. Most recently, Burberry’s collaboration with Hunza G brought the check back to the beach, proving that a true house code can evolve over time without ever losing its charm.
Below, a look at how celebrities wore the Burberry check then—and how to bring the iconic print into your own wardrobe today.
The Skirt
Reimagined season after season in mini, midi, maxi, and pleated silhouettes, the checked skirt has proven that it can move through decades with ease. In 1994, supermodel Christy Turlington styled hers with a crewneck sweater and black hosiery—a formula that still feels relevant today. For warmer weather, we suggest skipping the tights and simply pairing with pointed flats or loafers.
Christy Turlington (C) attends an event at a Burberry store in New York City on February 8, 1994. (Photo by Eric Weiss/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)WWD/Getty Images
