It's not always a bad thing to be considered a one-trick pony. Just ask Burberry. Although their style has contrasted some over the years, the basic appearance for all their clothing and accessories is the same: the check pattern.

This distinctive pattern has gone against the grain of conventional wisdom; the plaid-laden knit is among the most in-demand in the world of fashion.

Burberry has a string of accessories such as bikinis, sunglasses, perfume, and more, but it's their handbags and coats that made them famous in a fashion sense. Many of today's most wealthy and famous individuals religiously carry their Burberry bags.

Burberry has been around over 150 years. Thomas Burberry, at only 21 years old, formed the company after working as an apprentice to a country draper. He opened an outfitters shop in Basingstoke, Hampshire, England, and introduced his plaid designs to the mainstream.

Business was slow at first, but after an increasing focus on outerwear, the general public started to flock to the store in droves. Sportsmen were big in England at the time, and Burberry catered to their needs with rugged, affordable outerwear.

Thomas invented a unique fabric called gabardine in 1879, which is a breathable fabric created using waterproofed yarn that's then interwoven. Soon after in 1891, after experiencing further success with the addition of his new fabric, Thomas Burberry opened his first shop in London, now the site of Burberry's main headquarters.

The early 1900s were a famous time for Burberry, as he was commissioned to design a new uniform for British Officers. In 1904, the Equestrian Knight logo became Burberry's registered trademark. This was also around the time that Thomas took his operation overseas, to New York and Paris.

Burberry was once again asked to deliver high-quality, rugged and durable uniforms to servicemen during the Second World War. He was awarded the Royal Warrant from the Queen in 1955 due to his patriotism.

On the fashion side of things, Burberry's flagship store was opened in 1970, and the New York location experienced some moderate success. During the 1980s, the Reagan years in America brought financial reform. Burberry's line reaped the benefits and he was able to open other stores in San Francisco, New Jersey, Boston, Chicago, and other key locations around the country.

In the late 1990s, a new management team arrived to take the reigns at Burberry, revitalizing the brand and injecting new life into the old designs. Burberry held its first fashion show in 1999, showcasing the new designs and receiving high acclaim.

The new Burberry is a drastic change from the original line in terms of target audience. Once a menswear line with durable, affordable outdoor garments for the sportsman, soldier and hunter, this Burberry is a more dainty approach for women. However, the design “look” never changed dramatically, keeping with Thomas Burberry's original style. Today, the line produces perfumes and other accessories to compliment their coats and bags.