Vintage Burberry: How to Recognise It and What It's Worth in 2026

Few British labels carry the same weight as Burberry in the vintage market. The famous checked motif — the beige, black, white and red Nova Check — is one of the most recognisable patterns in the world, but also one of the most counterfeited. For a reseller on Vinted, knowing how to tell an authentic piece from a copy is the difference between a good margin and a return (or worse, an account ban). In this guide we look at how to recognise a vintage Burberry, how to date it from its labels and what it can really be worth in 2026. As always, we give guidance, not promises: prices vary with model, condition and demand.

Why Burberry is an interesting brand for resellers

Burberry was founded in 1856 and has lived through more than a century and a half of fashion, which means a huge pool of second-hand pieces in circulation: trench coats, shirts, lambswool scarves, polos, jackets and accessories. It is a heritage brand with steady, broad demand — it appeals both to a classic audience and to the streetwear/Y2K crowd who have rediscovered the Nova Check in recent years. This combination of recognisability and ongoing demand makes it a piece that turns over well, provided you buy it authentic and in the right condition. If you're deciding which brands to look for in your lots, you'll find more insights in our selection for Vinted resellers.

How to recognise an authentic vintage Burberry

Authenticating Burberry comes down to several details combined: no single element is enough on its own. Here's what to check, in order of importance.

1. The inner label and the Equestrian Knight logo

The historic Burberry logo depicts a knight on horseback (the Prorsum Knight) carrying a lance with a banner reading Prorsum (Latin for “forwards”). On authentic pieces the knight's details are crisp: you can make out the horse's legs, the mane and the flag. On fakes the embroidery is often smudged or simplified. Watch the evolution of the wordmark: up to the early 2000s you'll read “Burberrys” with a final S (often “Burberrys of London”); from around 1999 the brand switched to “Burberry” without the S, then to “Burberry London”. A piece marked “Burberrys” is almost always genuinely vintage (1980s-90s), a detail that helps with dating.

2. The Nova Check and pattern alignment

The authentic Nova Check has precise proportions and consistent colours (camel beige, black, cream white, brick red). On genuine pieces the motif is aligned along the seams: on pockets, collars and cuffs the pattern matches up. A crooked, offset check, or one with an overly bright red, is a strong sign of a fake. On authentic scarves the fringing is even and the fabric (often lambswool or cashmere) has a soft, uniform feel.

3. Composition, size and “Made in” labels

Look for the composition label sewn inside (often in the side seam or below the brand label): it lists materials, washing instructions and country of manufacture. The historic trench coats were made in England; many 1990s-2000s pieces read “Made in England”, others come from countries such as Poland or licensed production for the Asian market (Burberry Blue Label / Black Label were official Japanese lines, authentic but different from the international line). Clean fonts, straight stitching and well-finished labels are the norm on genuine pieces; spelling mistakes or irregular characters are red flags. For a general method on reading care labels, see our guide on how to recognise original vintage labels.

4. Buttons, belts and hardware

On authentic trench coats the buttons are often quality horn or resin, sometimes with the brand engraved; the belt buckle and D-rings are heavy, well-finished metal. Light plastic, blurred engravings or peeling plating are typical of copies.

What a vintage Burberry is worth in 2026

The figures below are indicative ranges observed on the second-hand market (Vinted, eBay, vintage stores) for authentic pieces: they vary greatly with condition, size, rarity and season. They are not resale guarantees.

• The iconic trench (cotton gabardine, Nova Check lining): the most sought-after piece. In good condition it can range from around €120 to €300+, with historic “Made in England” models at the top end.
• Nova Check scarves (lambswool/cashmere): among the fastest-moving pieces, roughly €40-110 depending on the material and the condition of the fringing.
• Shirts and polos: generally €25-70; all-over Nova Check shirts are the most sought-after by the streetwear audience.
• Jackets, quilted gilets and outerwear: €50-150 depending on the model.
• Accessories (hats, umbrellas, coated-canvas bags): highly variable; authenticated bags are worth more but need extra care over fakes.

To build a sensible selling price starting from your cost per kilo and the fees, use the step-by-step method in the guide on how to price vintage on Vinted.

Condition and grade: what affects your margin

On a premium brand like Burberry, condition matters enormously. A trench with an intact Nova Check lining and its original belt is worth far more than one with stains or missing accessories. In vintage by the kilo you'll find Grade A pieces (ready to sell, minimal flaws) and Grade B (more visible wear or defects, great for those who can do small repairs or sell at an aggressive price). Understanding the difference is essential to work out your real margin: we cover it in the guide on Grade A and Grade B in vintage by the kilo. If you're after lots ready to resell, you can start from our Kilo Box Vintage.

Mistakes to avoid when reselling Burberry

The first mistake is declaring a piece authentic when you're not sure: on such a heavily counterfeited brand, a report can cost you negative reviews or restrictions. If in doubt, describe the piece transparently and don't use the word “original” without proof. The second mistake is photographing the Nova Check badly: it's the very pattern that sells, so show it in natural light, aligned and in focus, together with close-ups of the label and the knight logo. The third is underpricing historic trench coats: many resellers price them like ordinary jackets, losing margin. Premium brands like vintage The North Face follow the same logic: documented authentic details = higher price and a faster sale.

Frequently asked questions

How do I tell whether a Burberry is vintage or recent?

The quickest signal is the wordmark: “Burberrys” with a final S generally indicates 1980s-90s pieces; “Burberry” without the S is from 1999 onwards. Add to this the style of the knight logo, the type of labels and the “Made in”.

Can the Nova Check be faked easily?

Yes, it's one of the most copied patterns. The key is to check the alignment of the motif on the seams, the consistency of the colours (beige, black, white, brick red) and the quality of the fabric. One detail alone isn't enough: always weigh up several elements together.

Which Burberry piece is easiest to resell?

Nova Check scarves tend to turn over quickly thanks to their accessible price and strong recognisability, while the trench is the highest-value piece but needs the right audience and season. These are indications, not sale guarantees.

Where do I find vintage Burberry to resell?

In lots of selected vintage by the kilo you can find premium pieces at a contained cost. You can start from the Kilo Box Vintage or the for Vinted resellers section, bearing in mind that the presence of a specific brand is never guaranteed in the mixes.