The Official Guide: Burberry Coat Authentication (2025)

Written by
Ch David
real vs fake burberry coat

Last Updated on Giugno 9, 2025 by Ch David

Want to know how to authenticate a Burberry trench coat in 2025? You’re in the right place — this official guide breaks down every detail, from stitching to tags, so you can spot a fake with confidence.

The Burberry trench coat is iconic. Since 1856, it’s been a symbol of British luxury — especially in that classic Nova Check print.

But with popularity comes counterfeits.
And if you’re not careful, it’s easy to get fooled.

This guide will show you exactly how to check if your Burberry coat is real — step by step.

If you’ve got other Burberry pieces too — like scarves — we’ve also covered how to spot a fake Burberry scarf in a separate guide.

CTA Button: Burberry coat legit check service

How To Spot a Fake Burberry Trench Coat

Risposta: The best way to tell if a Burberry trench coat is fake is by looking at the neck tag. That’s where most fakes give themselves away — the “BURBERRY LONDON” text is often way too thick, stretched, or uneven. Real tags always look crisp, with fine letters and perfect spacing.

That’s your first checkpoint — but it’s not the full story.

Let’s go through every detail that helps you confirm whether your Burberry coat is real or fake.

1. Neck tag

Burberry has changed their branding multiple times, which means there are many authentic neck tag versions out there — over 70+ releases, in fact.

Still, each version has its own red flags when faked. Let’s break it down by tag type:


1.1. BURBERRY London, England

  • Autentico: Even font thickness, sharper lines, thinner “London, England” text
  • Falso: Bold first letters, chunky “BURBERRY” logo, weak “England” detail

On this version, fakes often exaggerate the font weight. The first 2 letters of each line (“BU” in BURBERRY, “Lo” in London, etc.) are too thick and uneven. The main “BURBERRY” logo looks overbuilt — more stitches = a thicker, clumsier look.

You’ll find this same engraving standard on Burberry bags too — where the font, depth, and spacing of the logo are a reliable tell between real and fake.

Zoom in on “England” — the fake version usually botches the letter “d”, printing it too thin or weakly formed. On real coats, all letters hold the same pressure and spacing.

1.2. Burberrys

  • Autentico: Rare but real — used up until 1999
  • Falso: Poor font alignment or inconsistent layout

Not many replicas use the old “Burberrys” tag — but some still do. If you spot something odd (like spacing that doesn’t match the example above), it’s likely fake.

What’s the difference between Burberrys and Burberry?
Nothing major — just branding. “Burberrys” was used until 1999. Since 2000, it’s officially just “Burberry”.

1.3. Burberry ®

  • Autentico: This version does not exist — it’s a fake
  • Falso: “Burberry® OF LONDON” without the “s” = not legit

A quick rule: If your tag says “Burberry® OF LONDON” (with the registered mark but no “s”), you’re not holding a real coat. That format was never officially used by the brand.

Real tags from around 1998–1999 did say “Burberry London” — but they were clean, minimal, and never used “® OF LONDON”.

1.4. Timeline of the brand’s names

Here’s a simplified timeline to help you quickly understand what your neck tag should say based on the coat’s production date:

  • Before 1998: Tags said “Burberrys Made in England” or “Burberrys of London”
  • 1998–1999: Transition period — some tags read “Burberry London”
  • 2019–2020: Special edition tags saying “BURBERRY ESTABLISHED 1856”
  • 2020–now: Modern tag reads “Burberry London, England” (with an appointment line above)

💡 If your tag doesn’t match any of these — and doesn’t match the correct style from your coat’s production year — you might be looking at a fake.


Expert's Advice - Reach out to our authenticators

2. Lavare i cartellini

The wash tags are yet another very good way to spot fake Burberry coats, and we recommend that you never skip checking the wash tags, as they can also tell you the authenticity of a coat in an easy manner.

2.1. First label

  • Autentico: Thick “BURBERRY” text, balanced spacing, model + size info always included
  • Falso: Thin text, too much space between letters, missing size info

On this label, real coats keep the “BURBERRY” logo thick and tightly spaced. Fakes go too thin and stretch the spacing, especially in “THE SANDRINGHAM”.

That same spacing issue shows up on fake Gucci t-shirts, where the font weight and distance between letters often look slightly off — even if the rest of the tag seems fine.

One major giveaway: many replicas forget to include the size line (e.g. “UK 50 – US 40”). That’s a huge red flag — real wash tags always show this.

2.2. Second label

  • Autentico: Thin but wide “BURBERRY” font, high spacing between letters
  • Falso: Too bold, letters too close, wrong kerning

The fake tag gets the style all wrong. The “BURBERRY” logo is thick, tight, and heavy. You’ll notice it most between the “R” and “B” — they’re almost touching. Real tags spread the letters out with more breathing room.

Also: the lower half of the real tag tends to have slightly thicker font than the upper half — a detail most fakes miss entirely.

2.3. Authentic labels for reference

Now, let’s have a quick look at a few other authentic wash tags.

On the left side of the image, you’ll see the legitimate Burberry wash tag of an item manufactured in Italy, and on the right side, there’s another one from England.

The made-in-Italy wash tags are rarer than the made-in-England ones, hence there are fewer replicas for the made-in-Italy items rather than the more numerous number of fakes pretending to be made in England.

Authentic, old “Burberrys” wash tag

This picture from above shows you an older version of an authentic Burberry wash tag. This is indeed a bigger and more detailed wash tag, and being frank, these are not often seen replicated.

2.4. Fake Burberry made in China label

Let’s bust a myth: just because a Burberry tag says Made in China, it doesn’t mean it’s fake.

Authentic Burberry items are manufactured all over the world — including China. Here’s a list of known legit production locations:

  • UK
  • USA
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Poland
  • Romania
  • India
  • China
  • Scotland

So yes — “Made in China” can still be 100% legit. What matters is how the tag looks, not just what it says.

Is Burberry made in China real or fake?

Don’t panic if you see your Burberry item saying that it is made in China. There are many authentic Burberry tags that say “Made in China” on all labels.

Just because it says that the item was manufactured in China, it 100% doesn’t mean that you have a fake Burberry.

3. Model tag

Each Burberry trench coat is assigned a model name — and that label needs to match across the entire item. When it doesn’t? That’s a fake.

3.1. The Kensington

  • Autentico: Thick, boxy “THE KENSINGTON” text; bold handwritten-style “Made in England”
  • Falso: Thin and tall text, both for the model and manufacturing line

Start with the model name. On real coats, “THE KENSINGTON” looks dense and boxy. It’s short and wide — not tall and skinny. On fakes, the letters are too thin and stretched.

Below that, check the script-style “Made in England” line. Fakes print this way too lightly, while the real one looks confident, dark, and clean.

3.2. The Sandringham

  • Autentico: Light, even font with good spacing
  • Falso: Bold text with letters crammed together

The fake Sandringham tag goes in the opposite direction — it’s too bold. The font is too heavy and the spacing is off. You’ll notice this most between letters like “H” and “A”, or in the overly tight “THE”.

Even the “Made in England” line shows problems: look closely at the “M” and “d” — they’re thicker than they should be, which ruins the flow.

3.3. The Westminster

  • Autentico: Uniform font weight across the model name
  • Falso: “THE WE” is too thin, “STMINSTER” too thick

This fake makes a strange mistake — the font weight isn’t even across the word. “THE WE” is faint, while “STMINSTER” is way too bold.

You’ll also see issues on the “Made in England” line. The fake version prints it too thin, while the authentic one keeps it bold and legible. Finally, check the stitching around the model patch — the fake’s is lighter and more spaced out.

These inconsistencies aren’t just a Burberry problem — we’ve seen similar stitching and font issues pop up on Louis Vuitton items too, especially when replica makers rush the finish.

4. Interior Nova print

  • Autentico: Red lines sit close to the neck tag; pattern is symmetrical
  • Falso: Red lines sit too far away; lines are too thick

The Nova check print is iconic — and hard to replicate perfectly.

Start with the red lines. On real coats, they’re close to the neck tag, sitting neatly within the pattern. Fakes push the red lines too far apart — or too far down — which throws off the layout.

Also check the thickness of the lines. Fakes often use thicker black and white stripes. Real ones are thinner, tighter, and more elegant. When you compare them side by side, the fake pattern looks heavier and more cluttered.

The picture with the fake vs real Burberry Nova coats above shows you a full-view angle of the pattern on the inside.

As you can see, the fake coat’s black and white lines are a bit thicker and larger than the real ones, which are thinner and narrower.

Un breve accenno:

  • I passi che abbiamo scritto finora sono i seguenti MIGLIORE modi per autenticare questo articolo
  • I passi successivi sono ancora metodi affidabili...
  • ... ma si applicano alle versioni non top delle repliche disponibili per questo articolo

In caso di dubbio, si consiglia di ricontrollare i passaggi illustrati sopra questa riga.

5. Size tag

Depending on the release of your item, there may be just one or two tabs.

These indicate where your Burberry was made and the size in different formats: UK, US, and Italian sizes.

  • Autentico: Consistent font thickness across letters; properly spaced dual-size label
  • Falso: “MADE IN ENGLAND” too bold, uneven font sizes

There are usually 1 or 2 size tags near the wash label. They show the country (e.g., UK, US, IT) and where the coat was made.

Check the font on the “MADE IN ENGLAND” line — the fake version prints the letters too thick, especially the “D” and “E” in “MADE”. Real coats keep the font light and even.

Now check the “US UK IT” tab. The font on the fake coat looks bloated, especially the “IT” part. Real tags print this info clearly, with thinner and more refined letters.

6. Matching labels

  • Autentico: Neck tag and wash tag show the same model name
  • Falso: Model names don’t match — e.g., “THE CHELSEA” on one label, “THE KENSINGTON” on the other

This is one of the most critical tells.

If the model name listed on the neck tag doesn’t match the one on the wash tag, it’s fake. No exceptions.

We’ve seen examples where the neck tag says “THE CHELSEA” while the wash tag says “THE KENSINGTON”. That’s not a rare variant — that’s just a careless replica. Authentic Burberry coats sempre use the same model name on both labels.

⚠️ Replica manufacturers often get this wrong because they reuse parts from different fake models. If you see a mismatch, that’s your answer right there.

You may think now: Which inscription should I believe?

Well, the answer is none, because that’s a fake coat.

The coat from above is supposed to be a Chelsea replica, but the replica manufacturer messed up the inscription on the wash tag, and yes, this does happen sometimes on fake Burberry products.

An authentic Burberry coat will have the same model inscriptions on the neck + wash tags.

7. Buttons

These differ from one release to another, but the word that is always written on these is the “BURBERRY” text logo, and that’s what’s always flawed on the fake coats.

  • Autentico: “BURBERRY” engraved in clean, boxy caps
  • Falso: Letters are too deep, too tall, or missing entirely

Here’s what to look for:

  • Letter depth: Fakes press the letters too deep into the plastic, which makes them look overly thick.
  • Font shape: The real logo uses clean, boxy sans-serif caps. Fake versions often stretch the letters too tall.
  • Missing logo: If the button is completely blank, that’s a fake — even if the rest of the coat looks good.

💡 Even though buttons vary by release, the engraved BURBERRY text is always present. It’s part of the brand identity.

Do all Burberry coats have Burberry on the buttons?

Yes, all Burberry coats have “Burberry” on the buttons. The brand’s logo should use the San Serif font in capital letters on every button.

You’ll often see fake Burberry coats missing the “Burberry” logo engraved into the buttons.

8. Buckle material

  • Autentico: Buckle is made of real metal
  • Falso: Often plastic — lighter and glossier

The belt buckle is another easy giveaway.

Real Burberry coats use metal buckles — they’re solid, heavy, and slightly matte. Fake ones often cheap out with plastic, which feels light and reflects too much light. It might even feel warm to the touch compared to the cool feel of real metal.

💡 If it looks shiny and feels hollow, it’s not the real deal.

9. Belt stitching

  • Autentico: Neat, slightly wider stitches that look clean and proportional
  • Falso: Boxy, short stitches that look too thick and cluttered

Zoom in on the belt. The stitching pattern is often overlooked — but it’s one of the easiest details to check.

On real Burberry coats, the stitching is tight but elegant. Each stitch is slightly longer and thinner, creating a smooth, uniform look. Fakes often make the stitching too short and thick — almost like they tried to reinforce it, but it ends up looking rough and bulky.

Real stitching flows. Fake stitching looks like it’s trying too hard.

10. Buckle shininess

  • Autentico: Matte metal finish that reflects very little light
  • Falso: Glossy, mirror-like finish that’s too shiny

Let the light hit the buckle — it’ll tell you everything.

Real Burberry hardware is subtle. The metal has a satin or brushed finish that doesn’t reflect much light. It’s elegant, understated — just like the coat itself.

Fake hardware is usually way too shiny. It reflects light harshly, almost like chrome. It might look clean at first glance, but in the right light, it’s clearly off.

11. Waterproof test

  • Autentico: Water beads up and rolls off — but it’s not waterproof
  • Falso: Fabric may absorb water or let it soak in

Real Burberry trench coats are water-repellent, not waterproof. They’re made with cotton gabardine — a fabric that resists water but doesn’t block it completely.

Here’s what to expect from a real coat:
You pour a little water on it, and it beads up, sits on top, then rolls off without soaking in. That’s how gabardine works — it protects you without feeling plastic or coated.

Fakes either soak up water right away or have a weird plastic coating that feels stiff and unnatural.

12. Hanger

  • Autentico: Small, clean “BURBERRY” text — sharp and centered
  • Falso: Oversized text, thin font, often faded

Last but not least: the hanger.

Real Burberry hangers have the brand name printed small and clear — no fading, no oversized letters. Fakes usually mess this up with text that’s too big, too light, or unevenly printed. The most common flaw? Fading near the right side of the letter “U”.

It’s a small detail — but a real hanger should match the quality of what’s hanging on it.

30-Second Checklist: How To Spot a Fake Burberry Trench Coat

No time to read the full guide? Here’s your quick scan. These are the fastest tells to figure out if your Burberry trench coat is legit — or a knockoff.

  1. Neck Tag → Real tags have clean, even “BURBERRY LONDON ENGLAND” text. Fakes go bold, uneven, or messy — especially the “d” in “England”.
  2. Wash Tags → Real ones are balanced, include model + size info, and use proper spacing. Fakes skip the size line and stretch or bold the text too much.
  3. Model Tag → “THE KENSINGTON” or other model names should match real fonts. Fakes make them tall, thin, or too bold. The “Made in England” line often looks weak.
  4. Nova Print → Real prints are symmetrical with thin red lines near the neck tag. Fakes push lines too far apart and use thick black/white stripes.
  5. Size Tags → “MADE IN ENGLAND” should be printed lightly. Fakes use bold, uneven fonts — especially for “US UK IT” sizes.
  6. Matching Labels → The model name must match across all tags. If it says “THE CHELSEA” on one and “THE KENSINGTON” on another, it’s fake.
  7. Buttons → Real coats have “BURBERRY” engraved in clean, boxy caps. Fakes skip it or engrave it too deep, too tall, or in the wrong font.
  8. Buckle Material → Real buckles are metal — cool and heavy. Fakes often use plastic, which feels glossy or light.
  9. Buckle Shininess → Authentic buckles have a matte, satin finish. Fakes reflect light like chrome — too shiny.
  10. Belt Stitching → Real stitches are clean, spaced out, and neat. Fakes use short, boxy, thick threads that look clumsy.
  11. Waterproof Behavior → Real coats repel water but aren’t waterproof. Fakes absorb water right away.
  12. Hanger → The logo on real hangers is small, clean, and sharp. Fakes make the print too big, too light, or misaligned.

⚠️ Spotted two or more of these red flags? You’re likely not dealing with a real Burberry.

Want confirmation? Let our expert team handle it — down to the last stitch.

Video: How to Spot a Fake Burberry Trench Coat

In a rush? Meeting a seller? This quick video breaks down the easiest way to legit check a Burberry coat — especially by looking at the label. It’s short, simple, and shows real vs fake side by side.

👇 Watch it here:

Perfect if you don’t have time to read the full guide but still want to check the essentials.

🧥 Curious about the details? Click here to read the full transcript

Fall is quickly approaching — and that means trench coat season is back.

Let’s talk about some quick ways you can tell if your Burberry trench coat is real or a replica.

The easiest way is by looking at the tags.

Most often, it’s the newer Burberry tags — like the one shown in the video — that get replicated.

If you look closely at the width and thickness of the characters, that’s where replicas usually slip up.

The font is often too bold or inconsistent when compared to an authentic piece.

Older Burberry tags are less commonly faked, but it’s still worth checking the stitching and spacing just in case.

Where Can I Get My Burberry Coat Authenticated?

Not sure if your Burberry trench is the real deal? We’ve got you covered.

At Legit Check, we’ve authenticated everything from vintage Burberry classics to the newest runway drops. Whether it’s a Nova Check lining, a reissue, or a collab piece — our experts know what to look for.

This isn’t a quick AI scan.
Every coat is reviewed by real people who’ve seen thousands of legit (and fake) Burberry items.

We catch what others miss — the stitching, the font weight, the exact tone of the tag print, even the lining patterns. If it’s off, we’ll find it.

What you’ll get:

  • Real humans reviewing your exact coat
  • A full report breaking down every flaw (or confirming it’s real)
  • Optional Certificato di autenticità — handy for resell or refunds
  • The confidence that you won’t get played

Burberry fakes are getting good. But we’re better.

👉 If something feels off, don’t leave it to guesswork. Send it in and we’ll tell you the truth.

Final Verdict: Is Your Burberry Coat the Real Thing?

We’ve just unpacked every single detail that makes or breaks a real Burberry trench — from the neck tag and Nova print to the buckle, buttons, and even the hanger. Whether your coat is vintage, brand new, or somewhere in between, now you know what to look for.

Quick recap:

  • Neck tag → Real ones are sharp and balanced — no bold or messy fonts.
  • Wash + Model tags → The text should be clean, consistent, and match across every label.
  • Nova Check → Real prints are tight and symmetrical. Fakes go thick and sloppy.
  • Hardware + Stitching → Authentic coats use real metal, tight stitches, and subtle engravings.
  • Size and Detail tags → Legit fonts stay light and spaced out — fakes go bold and uneven.

If even one or two of those felt off on your coat, it’s worth a second look.

Still not sure? That’s where we come in.

Our team will go over your coat with trained eyes — no bots, no shortcuts — and tell you exactly what you’ve got. We’ll even send a Certificato di autenticità if it checks out (or help you fight for a refund if it doesn’t).

CTA Button: Burberry coat legit check service

FAQs

1. Is a Burberry trench coat waterproof?

No, but it’s made from water-repellent cotton gabardine, meaning light rain beads off the surface. It won’t hold up in a downpour, but it’ll protect you in drizzle. For added resistance, consider booking Burberry’s professional Trench Refresh service, which includes a reproofing treatment.

2. Can I dry-clean a vintage Burberry trench coat?

Yes—and it’s actually recommended:

  • Look for “specialist dry clean only” on the care label
  • Use a trusted cleaner experienced with luxury garments to protect buttons, buckles, and trim
  • Burberry’s in-store service also offers dry cleaning alongside reproofing, starting around $100

3. How do I store my Burberry trench coat properly?

Store it thoughtfully to preserve its shape and fabric:

  • Use a wide wooden or padded hanger to support the shoulders
  • Fasten the belt and buttons to maintain structure
  • Keep it in a breathable garment bag, away from direct sunlight and damp areas

4. Will a Burberry trench coat shrink when washed or dried?

Yes—it can. Gabardine and wool lining may shrink if washed in hot water or dried improperly.

  • Always dry-clean or wash cold
  • Hang to air dry, never tumble dry
  • High heat will damage the water-repellent finish and may distort the shape

5. How do I remove stains without ruining the fabric?

Gentle spot cleaning is key:

  • Dab (don’t rub) the stain using a soft cloth with mild detergent or water
  • Blot from the outside toward the center
  • For oil stains: dab with dish soap, rinse lightly, then let air dry
  • If unsure, reproof after cleaning to restore water resistance

Congrats — if you’ve made it this far, you’re already ahead of most people out there getting scammed.

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Grazie per aver letto questo articolo,

Ch Daniel e Ch David

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If this Burberry coat authentication guide helped you get some peace of mind, you’ll probably find our other legit checks just as useful. Same clear steps, same eye for detail — just different pieces.

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About the Author

David è il co-fondatore e co-CEO di Legit Check By Ch. L'esperienza di David: Oltre 5 anni di creazione di contenuti educativi nel settore della moda. Oltre 6 anni di autenticazione di articoli di lusso. Attualmente, David è il capo redattore della LCBC Library, dove sono state pubblicate oltre 1.000.000 di parole, in guide gratuite, per oltre 1.000 articoli.
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