Thomas Burberry invented gabardine in 1879 as a tightly woven, weather-resistant fabric.
Burberry developed gabardine by treating the yarn before weaving it, rather than coating the finished cloth. The resulting fabric was durable, relatively breathable, and better suited to outdoor clothing than many heavily waterproofed materials of the period.
Gabardine became important to Burberry’s reputation for practical outerwear. It was used in coats and expedition clothing, including garments associated with polar and military use. The fabric’s name predates Burberry, but Thomas Burberry’s version made it especially influential in modern clothing.
Gabardine is not the same thing as the Burberry check. The check is a visual pattern, while gabardine is a textile construction and material used in garments.