Burberry created the signature check known as the Nova check.
The pattern became strongly associated with Burberry after the house began using its check design as a lining for trench coats. The familiar pattern combines beige, black, white, and red lines in a repeating grid. It later appeared on scarves, bags, umbrellas, clothing, and other accessories.
Burberry’s check developed alongside the company’s history of outerwear. Thomas Burberry founded the business in 1856, and the house became particularly known for weather-resistant fabrics and trench coats. The check was initially more visible inside garments than on the outside, which helped establish it as a recognizable detail.
“Nova check” is a common name for Burberry’s classic check, but Burberry has used several different checks and colorways. The check is not the same thing as the trench coat itself; it is a textile pattern that can appear on many products.