Started in 1856 by Thomas Burberry, the brand went from outfitting WWI officers (thanks to the invention of gabardine, a water-resistant material they patented) to Holly Golightly in 1961's Breakfast at Tiffany's. Burberry's signature pieces are the trench coat and the plaid (actually "check" if you're a Londoner). Since 1997, Burberry has been revitalized by a succession of new managers and designers including Robert Menichetti (who amped Burberry's Prorsum label) and, recently, Christopher Bailey.