The Burberry pattern is called the Burberry Check, also known as the Nova Check and sometimes the Haymarket Check: a tartan-style grid of camel, black, red and white. It was first used in 1924 as the lining of Burberry’s trench coats, was registered as a trademark, and only spread to scarves, umbrellas and luggage from 1967. Today it is one of the most recognized patterns in fashion. Authentic Burberry pieces worth $1,000 or more can also serve as collateral with Borro, which lends against designer handbags and accessories.
The Burberry Check at a Glance
| Detail | Burberry Check |
|---|---|
| Names | Burberry Check, Nova Check, Haymarket Check |
| Colors | Camel background with black, red and white lines |
| First used | 1924, as trench coat lining |
| Wider use | From 1967 on umbrellas, scarves and luggage |
| Brand founded | 1856, by Thomas Burberry in Basingstoke, England |
Own designer handbags and accessories? Borro lends up to 45% of the value of designer pieces worth $1,000 or more, with loans from $2,500, no credit check and funding in as little as one business day. Get a no-obligation quote or call 720-458-6788.
What Is the Burberry Pattern Called?
Burberry simply calls it the Burberry Check, but it is widely known as the Nova Check, a name used for the classic camel, black, red and white version, especially on 1990s and 2000s accessories. “Haymarket Check” is also used, after Burberry’s historic store on London’s Haymarket, and for certain bag ranges. All of these names describe the same family of patterns, with variations in scale and color over the decades.
The Origins of the Burberry Check
The Burberry Check did not begin as a fashion statement. It was introduced in 1924 as the lining of Burberry’s gabardine trench coats, hidden inside garments already famous for their function. British officers had worn Burberry trench coats during World War I, giving the brand the credibility of a military supplier. For decades, the check was an internal detail most wearers never saw.
Its move from lining to brand identity came in the late 1960s, when Burberry began using the pattern on umbrellas, scarves and luggage. By making the check visible, the brand created an instantly recognizable marker that needed no label or logo.
How the Check Became a Cultural Symbol
Through the 1980s and 1990s, the check’s visibility made it aspirational for a broad audience and drove commercial success. But the same visibility made it a target for counterfeiting and overexposure. By the early 2000s, fashion observers questioned whether it still signaled luxury.
Burberry’s response, led by Christopher Bailey, who joined in 2001 and later became creative director, was a deliberate recalibration. The brand reduced how prominently the check appeared, used it as an accent rather than the whole identity, and rebuilt around a broader collection. By the late 2000s, Burberry had restored its position at the top of British luxury. Today the check appears selectively: on cashmere scarves, as accents on outerwear and in archive-inspired pieces. Read more about Burberry heritage and brand value.
What Makes Burberry Check Pieces Hold Value?
Burberry pieces hold value in two tiers. Archive and vintage pieces, especially older trench coats in original condition and accessories in discontinued colorways, attract collectors. Current classic check cashmere scarves are widely recognized and in steady demand on the secondary market, which keeps them easy to resell, although most still sell below retail.
Authentication matters. Genuine Burberry check has specific proportions and colors that differ subtly from imitations, and labels, typography and logos have changed in documented ways over the decades, helping experts date and verify pieces.
Can You Get a Loan Against Burberry Pieces?
Borro lends up to 45% of the value of designer handbags and accessories worth $1,000 or more, with a minimum loan of $2,500. That means your pieces need a combined value of about $5,600 or more. A single scarf won’t qualify, but a collection of Burberry bags or archive outerwear may, especially alongside other luxury assets.
- No credit check and no personal guarantee. Your items secure the loan, and Borro does not ask for personal or business financial statements.
- Fast funding. Once your loan is approved, funds can arrive in as little as one business day.
- You keep ownership. Your items are held in fully insured, secure safekeeping for the loan term and returned when you repay.
- Private and discreet. Borro has lent more than $1 billion to clients across the country and holds an A+ BBB rating.
Learn more about Borro’s designer handbag and accessory loans, or read about the Chanel Flap Bag and Hermès.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I borrow against Burberry pieces?
Yes, if your designer items are worth enough to support Borro’s $2,500 minimum loan. Borro lends up to 45% of the value of pieces worth $1,000 or more.
What is the Burberry pattern called?
The Burberry Check, also known as the Nova Check or Haymarket Check.
When was the Burberry check pattern introduced?
In 1924, as the lining of Burberry trench coats. It spread to scarves, umbrellas and luggage from 1967.
What colors are in the Burberry check?
Camel, black, red and white.
Are Burberry check items a good investment?
Classic check scarves stay in steady demand and resell easily, and archive pieces in original condition attract collectors, though most items sell below retail.
See what your designer collection could unlock. Borro’s loans start at $2,500, with no credit check and no personal guarantee. Apply now or call 720-458-6788 to speak with a valuation expert.
