Burberry clothing: the trench, the check and gabardine
Burberry began in England in the nineteenth century, and its reputation rests on outerwear. The house developed gabardine, a tightly woven, weather-resistant cloth, and the trench coat made from it became its defining garment. The camel, black, red and white Burberry check, first used as a coat lining, now appears on shirts, scarves and knitwear.
For a gift, think about how visible you want that heritage to be:
- A trench coat is the most considered choice. It suits the wet Cape winter particularly well and layers easily over knitwear on the Highveld.
- A check shirt carries the signature without being loud. Our guide to Burberry shirts covers collars, cuts and how the check is placed.
- Knitwear and T-shirts with a small logo or check detail are an easier entry point when you are less certain of size or style.
Classic Burberry pieces tend to work across generations, which makes them a sensible choice for a parent or a milestone birthday.
Gucci and the other houses worth knowing
Many buyers search for Gucci clothing alongside Burberry. Founded in Florence, Gucci is known for the green-red-green web stripe, the interlocking GG and the horsebit, and its clothing often leans more expressive than Burberry's, with bold prints and colour.
Other houses each have a clear point of view:
- Moncler started in the French Alps making down for mountain conditions, and the quilted puffer remains its signature. See our notes on Moncler jackets for weights and fits.
- Fendi, from Rome, is recognised by its FF logo, often used across shirts and tees.
- Dior and Louis Vuitton, both Parisian, offer refined tailoring and logo pieces that read as quietly formal.
- Balmain favours sharp shoulders and strong structure.
- Moschino, from Milan, brings humour and playful graphics.
Matching the house to the person matters more than the label's fame. Someone who dresses simply will wear a plain Burberry knit far more than a printed statement piece.
Choosing by piece: T-shirts, knitwear, jeans and jackets
The type of garment shapes both the budget and the risk of getting it wrong.
- T-shirts are the most forgiving gift, and well suited to a South African Christmas, which falls in summer. Browse our guide to designer T-shirts for fabric weights and logo placement.
- Knitwear is personal yet practical. Look at the fibre: cashmere is soft and warm, merino is lighter and easier to care for. Our luxury knitwear guide explains the difference.
- Jeans depend heavily on fit, so they suit someone whose sizes you know well. The designer jeans page covers rises and leg shapes.
- Jackets are the most substantial gift and usually the largest outlay, since cloth, insulation and construction drive the price. Start with our overview of luxury jackets.
As a rule, prices rise with the amount of fabric, the complexity of tailoring and the rarity of the material, so a logo tee and a down jacket from the same house sit very far apart.
Getting the size right when you buy for someone else
Designer sizing is not consistent. Italian, French and UK houses use different scales, and the same size label can fit differently from one house to the next, or even between collections.
- Check a favourite garment. Look at the label of something they wear often and measure it flat across the chest and along the length.
- Read the cut. Many current T-shirts and knits are deliberately oversized, while shirts and tailoring are often slim.
- Choose forgiving pieces when unsure. Scarves, relaxed knitwear and oversized tees leave more room for error than jeans or a fitted jacket.
- Think about climate. A heavy down jacket suits a Johannesburg winter morning; in Durban, a lightweight shirt will be worn far more often.
Pre-owned designer clothing and checking authenticity
Interest in second-hand designer clothes in South Africa is growing, and a pre-owned piece can be a thoughtful gift, particularly an older Burberry trench. It does call for care, as clothing is widely copied.
Before buying, new or pre-owned, check:
- Labels and care tags: consistent fonts, neat stitching and a fabric composition that matches the garment's feel.
- Construction: even seams, matched patterns at the seams on check shirts, and quality buttons and zips.
- Provenance: clear photographs of labels and details, and an honest account of where the piece came from.
- Condition: pilling on knitwear, wear at collars and cuffs, and lining damage on coats.
If you have a particular piece, house or size in mind, tell us what you are looking for through the form below and we will come back to you with options.