20 stylish ‘Made in Britain’ fashion labels to add to your wardrobe, for men and women

Seventy million of us live on these British isles. We’re applauded for our great scones, beer and strawberries – but what about our fashion credentials?

“Made in Britain” and “Best of British” are proudly declared as a mark of high standards, celebrated craftsmanship and wonderfully traditional aesthetics. Just think of a good Prince of Wales check, a hardy wax jacket, rich tartan or British wool.

His Majesty the King has recently granted Royal Warrants to the likes of DAKS Simpson, Burberry, John Lobb and Turnbull & Asser – brands that prosper on the international scene on account of their “Britishness”.

And yet – how many of us can identify a garment in our wardrobe that was genuinely made right here in the UK within the last 10 years? It is getting harder and harder to buy from bigger name brands, whilst simultaneously supporting UK manufacturing.

We have the design and we are proud to count the likes of Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood and Barbour as some of the biggest names in the fashion industry. We hold Marks & Spencer dear to our hearts, even if it’s been a somewhat tumultuous relationship in recent times. Yet when I approached all the major retailers for insights into which garments were made in the UK in 2024, not one could offer up any products.

The reality is that “Made in Britain” is still very much a position really only upheld by smaller brands, or indeed the newest brands on the fashion scene, keen to turn back time, to regain direct relationships with suppliers, to visit factories regularly without huge air travel or language barriers.

So here are the labels to know if you want to dress well, buy local and, to an extent, rectify, with pride, the meaning of “Made in Britain”.

Bonsoir of London

Established in 1926, Bonsoir of London makes exceptional sleepwear. With a headquarters in Somerset, the entire manufacturing process spans the British Isles including Scottish cashmere and wool spun in Yorkshire. A quietly confident brand, it’s continued its momentum despite harsh price competition in the sleepwear market. This is certainly one to consider for any birthdays you’re buying for.

Campbell’s of Beauly

At Campbell’s, the jewel of the Scottish Highlands’ retail offering, 75 per cent of the collection is made in the UK, knitwear being the leader. John and Nicola Sugden are the down to earth husband and wife double act who cater to the tastes of tourists and Royalty alike, whilst cultivating long lasting working relationships that are hands on. “We cherish [the notion of a] good old fashioned business relationship between us and our suppliers.” says Nicola. “Doing so allows for a much more harmonious day-to-day, based on trust and mutual understanding.”

Camilla Rose Millinery

Camilla Rose takes the millinery spot because she has been savvy enough to offer rental. Long before clothing rental took off, you could rent hats. Then the trend shifted to headbands (more affordable to buy, and to justify). Now we want hats again, but without the commitment. Rose has two studios, one in Fulham, the other in Hampshire. She’s even able to offer virtual appointments. A member of the British Hat Guild, this is the first place to look for the summer season.

Bella Hoskyns

One of the kindest women I’ve met in this industry, Arabella Hoskyns-Abrahall, creator of modern country clothing, works all hours to meet her customers, either via email or in person. The miles she travels to set up stalls and advise her ever growing coterie of clients are not for the faint hearted. But then neither is sourcing and making everything here in the UK. Yet Hoskyns wouldn’t have it any other way.

She’s seeing a positive change in the customer’s appetite and says: “They definitely appear to care more about where their clothes come from, they’re much more focused on buying clothes as investment pieces that will stand the test of time and not just passing trends.”   (And if you ever wondered where the jacket was from in that Mother’s Day photograph of the Princess of Wales, you might just find it on the Bella Hoskyns site.)

Lisa Redman

Designer Lisa Redman has transformed some of my dullest, most redundant garments into true game-changers. You know those pieces that just sit forlorn at the back of the wardrobe, waiting for the waistline to shift, or the right event to come up.

Redman is based just off Ladbroke Grove and clients come and go from her atelier, from banking sector high fliers one minute to mothers of the bride the next. She’ll create masterpieces from scratch or update old friends. From wedding dresses, to tartan dungarees, Redman can do it all.

Louisa Parris

The movement of her silks, the palette, the Matisse-esque shapes and the sheer sense of fun is what draws customers to Louisa Parris. In between the school run and children’s tea (you sense a theme with this piece…busy women) Parris confirms to me: “Yes we’re made in London in Finsbury Park and always have been. We print our own fabrics; my silks are printed in Lake Como and we print fabric to the quantities ordered from our buyers, plus stock for our own website.”

For Parris, who is dyslexic, working with UK based manufacturers is efficient and means she doesn’t have to encounter a language barrier, plus there are no agents to lean on and no travel that might take her away from her family. Win-win.

Blake Mill

Blake Mill offers something for the boys; a bespoke service for men’s shirts, fully custom- made here in the UK, with a headquarters in Manchester and appointments available in London. Yes this is a small arm of the business but it’s key to point out that British shirt making is indeed still possible. Blake Mill works with the English Fine Cottons spinning mill which is just down the road in Dukinfield, the only commercial cotton spinner in the UK.

Livotte London

“You know Rome wasn’t built in a day and we’re also mums first so yes, our growth has been slower and we have learned to be patient and embrace it.” says Beth Pollak, one half of Livotte London, a recent discovery which is gaining fans for its tried and tested approach to simple, classics tees and tank tops. “Unpretentious yet incredibly chic,” is how co-founder Delphine describes them.

Using organic cotton, tested to 200 washes, Beth and Delphine take the train to visit their factory and they can honestly say they know all the men and women making their tops. “We will never compromise because most fashion companies out there already do.”

Herd

Ruth Rands is passionate about wool. She’s also passionate about farming, farmers and fashion. How to combine all three? Cue Herd. “Our farmers have been raising sheep in the North of England for generations, a stone’s throw from the factories that wash and spin the wool,” says Rands, who can count the miles a single garment takes to make. Herd is proof that the sheep to shop approach is well and truly achievable here in the UK. Of course the pieces come at a premium, but once you hear Rands speak you really understand the sense of investment, not just in fashion and in looking good, but because, as she puts it: “It’s the right thing for rural communities and the planet”.  

O Pioneers

Pop into the store on Marylebone Lane and ensure you have at least half an hour to sit and chat with this double-act before you even begin to try on the Liberty print wonders. Clara Francis and Tania Hindmarch fully declare that: “we are not, as a duo, the most organised ‘planners ahead’ so forecasting seasons months in advance, and placing orders, before the season has even arrived was never how they wanted to work.”

However, making in the UK means, “we can get small runs, in a short space of time, we can change our minds regarding fabric, we can fiddle and adapt patterns that aren’t sitting right on certain bust sizes or leg lengths”. There’s a sense of doing business in a way that is much more than a simple transaction. “True friendships have evolved… we have a shared respect for what each other are trying to achieve because it’s tough.”  And yet…. Who made a stop at the store earlier this year? Sarah Jessica Parker herself. Proof that small British brands can go global.

Johanna Sands

Johanna Sands has magic hands, quite literally! “The pieces are always made in small limited edition runs or often one-off pieces in unique fabrics,” says Sands who, with three young boys, must surely enjoy the escapism of dress-making. Of note are her corduroy designs in winter, and come summer her vibrant use of florals, cherries and stripes. Movement is key in her designs – many are slightly oversized and ideal with plimsolls or boots in winter.

The WellWorn

Emma Shaw’s first job was in a factory here in the UK; she was always set on finding a way to keep traditional skills and craftsmanship alive. Her label The WellWorn ticks all her passions. “I love being part of the [factory] environment, with all the hustle and bustle… I’m at the factory every week.”

Weekly visits to the factory? It’s like we have stepped back in time. Shaw’s designs are extremely fairly priced, made one by one (allowing for adaptations at the customer’s request), relatably modelled and shot (on friends and family) and are clearly ticking the ‘What women want’ box right now.

Philippa London

When I interviewed Kate Hills, founder of Make it British – a platform supporting businesses that make clothes in the UK, she said: “One of the few brands I shop from religiously is Philippa London.”  Delving into Philippa’s site you can see why; bold colour pops, just enough detail allowing you to forgo jewellery and just let the clothes work their magic. If you like colour, this is the brand for you.

Community Clothing

Boosted by the growing profile of founder Patrick Grant (of the BBC’s Great British Sewing Bee, and author of the new release Less: Stop Buying So Much Rubbish), Community Clothing has managed to entice a range of age groups. Clever marketing and accessible pricing, yes, but also simple cuts and a great palette of colours.

Grant is a realist: “I’ve seen first hand the devastating effect that the loss of jobs has had on manufacturing communities, and on the personal pride of many skilled men and women.”  Every garment is made right here in the UK and it’s the social impact of boosting such communities, that were once the hub of the country’s output, that Grant is passionate about.

“I believe everyone growing up in this country should have the chance of a meaningful, fulfilling and well paid career, and it makes me happy to know that Community Clothing is helping to make that a reality in our textile making regions.”

Peregrine

Almost every single Peregrine item (bar the socks!) is made in Britain. The beating heart of this brand depends on the UK for its entire identity, with a focus on British heritage, British weather and British style. It’s the traceability that stands out, with a clear listing of the factories. The standout designs include witty shirts for men and beautiful knitwear in an array of styles and colours.

ELV Denim

ELV, which stands for East London Vintage, is the brainchild of stylist Anna Foster. She has single handedly revived the British denim identity – not through new designs but by upcycling deadstock denim that would otherwise have gone to landfill. Working with ateliers in East London, it’s about raising the profile of the local community and valuing the artistry of creating something beautiful from something old. Think about heading here for your next denim fix.

Navygrey

“You can’t live in Britain without a good jumper, so we better ensure that we know how to continue making them,” says Navygrey’s founder Rachel Carvell-Spedding. She initially set out to recreate a much-loved knit that had belonged to her mother, that she couldn’t find a replica of anywhere. Since then, this brand has not only gained its BCorp certification, a further mark of the good it is striving to achieve – but has become a fashion insider favourite, managing to create new knitwear styles you never knew you needed, season after season.

Barbour

At its South Shields factory in the North East of England, Barbour continues to create about 140,000 wax jackets every year. The factory is at capacity which is why the company has to outsource the extended collections of the Barbour brand. But managing director Steve Buck is clear in his commercial and emotional link to ‘Made in Britain’: “We are very proud to continue to manufacture in the UK, only for these iconic jackets to be distributed and sold across the globe.” And if they’re good enough for the late Queen and Alexa Chung…

By Soren

On a dull, rainy day in 2023 I opened an email from a small brand, asking me to take a look at their new collection. The tone was so charming, I finished the entire email word for word. Months later I was shooting By Soren for my “10 items to invest in now” feature in The Telegraph.

Founder Henny Clarke’s average week? “Anything from liaising with my manufacturers in Tottenham, the pattern cutter in Suffolk, the embroiderers in London, Lancashire and Wiltshire or button makers in Nottingham…” You get the picture. Take a look, this brand is going places – but at the slow pace Clarke is determined to retain.

Halfpenny London

“A huge portion is actually made in the atelier above and below our boutiques on Woburn Walk in Bloomsbury,” says Kate Halfpenny, of her eponymous bridal and occasion wear label. “Made in London, worn around the world” is the tagline and Halfpenny’s reach is to be admired.

There is a big focus on repurposing. “The wonderful flowers and hearts in my latest collections are made from silk organza off-cuts that would normally be too small to use and end up as waste fabrics.” Growing up in the Midlands, Halfpenny, like Community Clothing’s Patrick Grant, saw the impact of manufacturing shifting overseas. “My grandmother was a proud machinist for her entire career.” It’s fair to say that a wedding dress by Halfpenny brings the fairytale of British manufacturing beautifully to life once more.