Photography: Levon Baird. Styling: Karla Clarke (throughout).

A 1975 CHRISTMAS advertisement for Burberry reads: “With spacious suitcases, elegant sling bags, umbrellas scarves and rugs, there’s something to suit the chicest lady or most masculine man.” 

Almost 50 years later, not a great deal has changed. Sure, the brand no longer goes by its original name of ‘Burberrys’, but the messaging remains the same. When it comes to choosing Christmas gifts your loved ones will never forget, the brand never fails to surprise and delight. 

This Christmas, Burberry is paying homage to its iconic check – an enduring house code that’s been used to line its raincoats since the 1920s – covering stocking fillers and status symbols alike in the heritage print. Our editorial team was lucky enough to get an early preview of the collection, which we styled for a very special festive photoshoot. While decorating our model Max in fairy lights, we found ourselves making mental lists of all the pieces we want to gift our loved ones come December 25. 

There’s a card holder, reversible buckle belt and check backpack; an umbrella in red, white and black, wool blanket and, of course, the enduring trench. Just like that 1975 ad promised: there’s something for everyone at Burberry come Christmas. 

Here, we select the standout pieces, in hope of inspiring your shopping lists, too. 

The perfect jacket

‘Sand’ and ‘archive beige’ are Burberry’s heritage colours; when you see them checked with red, black and white, there’s no denying where the piece they’re printed on came from. For the urban explorer in your life, try the brand’s Reversible Check Trafford Jacket, which has a jet black reverse.

Iconic sneakers

Made in Italy – because of course – the Check Terrace Sneakers are mesh-lined with a cotton blend outer. The perfect balance between chunky and slim, we can’t think of a sneaker wearer who wouldn’t be happy with adding these to his rotation.

Hardwearing leather boots

Every guy needs a pair of lace-up boots with a hardy lug sole. This slip-on Chelsea style is crafted from calf leather and finished with brogue detailing, so when you wear them with long pants – such as the denim trousers we’ve styled them with here – they pass as a dress shoe. Win-win.

A cosy cushion

Whether they’re in the midst of redecorating, or simply love the most luxurious homewares known to modern-day man, the Check Wool Cushion ticks every gift-giving box. Crafted from 100 percent wool, it will bring a pop of colour to any living room setting or bedroom spread. Also available in ‘Hunter Pumpkin’ and ‘Kingfisher’, which is a rich maroon, there’s a colour for every taste.

An everyday bag

Everyone needs a tote. Actually, everyone needs multiple totes. So even if your loved one already has a collection of capacious bags, we recommend gifting them a new favourite in the Burberry Small Check Tote. Woven from cotton twill, it’s trimmed with smooth calf leather, while a detachable zip pouch sits inside. So handy, they won’t know how they lived without it.

A coordinated set

Yes, we recommend wrapping it up just like this. But no matter how you present it, a matching set is all but guaranteed to make your secret Santa smile, because even if they’re not quite game to wear it together, they can always style the pieces separately. The Cotton Twill Trousers look great with a crisp white shirt, for example, while the Check Cotton Shirt pairs like a dream with jeans.

The original scarf


There’s iconic pieces – items anyone can associate with a certain brand – and there’s the Burberry cashmere scarf. To this day, the brand’s scarves are crafted in Scotland by longstanding partner Johnstons of Elgin, woven on traditional looms. A gift they’ll love so much, they’ll won’t be able to wait until winter to wear it.


Hair: Daren Borthwick
Makeup: Linda Jefferyes
Nails: Carly Lim
Models: Max Tate, Kwesi, Montana Cox, Shay Langley, Luna Yohannan, Louis Howells.