Burberry is a British luxury-goods seller known for its plaid-trimmed designer handbags and raincoats, which have become icons of Fifth Avenue fashion. Chances are even if you don't recognize the Burberry name you will still recognize the company's trademark plaid - consisting of red, camel, black and white checked pattern Burberry founder, Thomas Burberry, is perhaps best known for inventing 'gaberdine' in 1879. Gaberdine is a breathable fabric made using pre-waterproofed yarn. Gaberdine fabric is both water resistant and extremely durable and was ideal for the manufacturing of outdoor wear for sportsman and soldiers who were Burberry's prime clientele in the late 1800's and early 1900's. In the 1920's, Burberry introduced its signature checked fabric; an instantly recognizable trademark to this day.