Get in the Trenches With Burberry's British Invasion

Anyone caught up in the heritage of Burberry's trenches and tartan plaid need only look to Christopher Bailey's runway to see there's much more on offer from the British brand.

Since Bailey took over as chief creative office in 2001 (and was most recently named Burberry's CEO), the label has, while staying true to its rain-friendly roots, undergone a renaissance that continues to surprise us. See the styles that have us bowing to the majesty of Burberry season after season and have us feeling more than ready to kick off London Fashion Week!

Burberry Prorsum Fall 2014
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Burberry Prorsum Fall 2014

Floaty silhouettes were belted at the waist over watercolor-print scarves, layered with cozy-looking blanket coats or heavy shearling painted with purple, orange, and pink blooms.

Burberry Prorsum Fall 2014
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Burberry Prorsum Fall 2014

Christopher Bailey took Burberry Prorsum down a more bohemian path this season, with hand-painted prints, bias-cut crepe silk, antiqued, sheer lace, and liberal use of scarves and ponchos.

Burberry Prorsum Fall 2014
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Burberry Prorsum Fall 2014

The collection gave rise to the monogrammed poncho street style trend that the models have started to carry out.

Burberry Prorsum Spring 2014
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Burberry Prorsum Spring 2014

The lovely pastel designs got a cheeky edge from transparent tops.

Burberry Prorsum Spring 2014
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Burberry Prorsum Spring 2014

Polka dots played off the collection's whimsical spirit.

Burberry Prorsum Spring 2014
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Burberry Prorsum Spring 2014

One of the label's sweetest collections arrived for Spring 2014.

Burberry Prorsum Fall 2013
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Burberry Prorsum Fall 2013

Wid stripes were dynamic on the runway.

Burberry Prorsum Fall 2013
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Burberry Prorsum Fall 2013

One of the label's most graphic collections came with Fall 2013's high-contrast prints.

Burberry Prorsum Spring 2013
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Burberry Prorsum Spring 2013

Bailey dared to pair jewel tones with a memorable sapphire, emerald, and gold ensemble (not to mention those ruby-red lips).

Burberry Prorsum Spring 2013
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Burberry Prorsum Spring 2013

Capes amped up many of the designs but none so much as the iridescent swimwear.

Burberry Prorsum Spring 2013
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Burberry Prorsum Spring 2013

Pretty lace dresses were tailor-made for a runway appearance.

Burberry Prorsum Fall 2012
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Burberry Prorsum Fall 2012

The puffer jacket joined Burberry's coat clan.

Burberry Prorsum Fall 2012
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Burberry Prorsum Fall 2012

Menswear and womenswear combined with rich tweed and bows.

Burberry Prorsum Fall 2012
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Burberry Prorsum Fall 2012

Burberry may have started the animal sweater craze with its Fall 2012 owls.

Burberry Prorsum Spring 2012
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Burberry Prorsum Spring 2012

While staying true to its Burberry-brand heritage, this striped wicker trench stole the show and once again reinvented the coat.

Burberry Prorsum Spring 2012
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Burberry Prorsum Spring 2012

Paired with beaded sandals and a straw tote, this floaty dress seemed ready to escape to far-off destinations.

Burberry Prorsum Spring 2012
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Burberry Prorsum Spring 2012

Straw pom-pom hats punctuated Spring 2012's global collection.

Burberry Prorsum Fall 2011
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Burberry Prorsum Fall 2011

However, tweed added a menswear tone to the Fall 2011 designs, especially when paired with suiting.

Burberry Prorsum Fall 2011
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Burberry Prorsum Fall 2011

Drop-waist dresses had an equally feminine feel.

Burberry Prorsum Spring 2011
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Burberry Prorsum Spring 2011

Punctuated by more bright leather (this time piped along a trench's seams) accessories, it was clear that this was a whole knew era of Burberry.

Burberry Prorsum Spring 2011
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Burberry Prorsum Spring 2011

Even when black, leather added drama to the collection.

Burberry Prorsum Spring 2011
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Burberry Prorsum Spring 2011

A modern spin came about with metallic leather accents.

Burberry Prorsum Fall 2010
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Burberry Prorsum Fall 2010

Who didn't want to own this leather-and-shearling bomber?

Burberry Prorsum Fall 2010
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Burberry Prorsum Fall 2010

By teaming military green with bright chartreuse, this piece became an absolute standout.

Burberry Prorsum Fall 2010
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Burberry Prorsum Fall 2010

Bailey kept to colors and went richer with berry hues for Fall.

Burberry Prorsum Spring 2010
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Burberry Prorsum Spring 2010

Soft hues were a lovely change for the season.

Burberry Prorsum Spring 2010
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Burberry Prorsum Spring 2010

For Spring 2010, Bailey pumped up the volume (on his designs shoulders, that is).

Burberry Prorsum Fall 2009
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Burberry Prorsum Fall 2009

By keeping this trench unbuttoned and layering it over a breezy white dress, Bailey reinforced the collection's relaxed vibe.

Burberry Prorsum Fall 2009
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Burberry Prorsum Fall 2009

The show's neutral knits looked so cozy that showgoers may have been tempted to wear them right off the runway.

Burberry Prorsum Fall 2009
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Burberry Prorsum Fall 2009

Staying on the same page, dark velvet colored the Fall 2009 runway.

Burberry Prorsum Fall 2008
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Burberry Prorsum Fall 2008

For a hint of uptown polish, high-shine separates dressed the collection up for night.

Burberry Prorsum Fall 2008
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Burberry Prorsum Fall 2008

Bailey went to a darker place for his streetwear collection of Fall 2008.

Burberry Prorsum Spring 2008
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Burberry Prorsum Spring 2008

Bailey piled on the luxury with rich tones and voluminous frills.

Burberry Prorsum Spring 2008
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Burberry Prorsum Spring 2008

Ruffled coats and dresses looked sweet but had a bit of edge, as well.

Burberry Prorsum Spring 2008
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Burberry Prorsum Spring 2008

Trademark tartan made an appearance throughout the Spring 2008 show.

Burberry Prorsum Fall 2007
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Burberry Prorsum Fall 2007

Quilting added a layer of rich texture to some of the outerwear, too.

Burberry Prorsum Fall 2007
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Burberry Prorsum Fall 2007

Another iridescent application found its home on ruched dresses in the Fall 2007 collection.

Burberry Prorsum Fall 2007
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Burberry Prorsum Fall 2007

Bailey toughened up the signature piece with black leather.

Burberry Prorsum Spring 2007
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Burberry Prorsum Spring 2007

The trench was transformed into a sweet dress for Spring 2007.

Burberry Prorsum Spring 2007
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Burberry Prorsum Spring 2007

Iridescence and pastels would play a role in later collections too.

Burberry Prorsum Spring 2007
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Burberry Prorsum Spring 2007

The classic trench looked relaxed with a boxy silhouette.