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I sense a revival of British clothes manufacturing. Much has gone, but there is still a fantastic choice of British made clothes out there, whether you want to spend a lot or not very much money.
Here you can find links and information, in no particular order, about British made clothes, for men, women and children. This article is ongoing and I will add to it when I discover more British clothes manufacturers and suppliers. Only companies that actually make or supply clothes made in the UK will be featured here, not simply companies that used to make clothes in the UK or are just selling clothes in the UK. The products I list here are genuinely made in the UK, not simply labelled to imply British heritage or manufacture.
Cash’s still make their famous name tapes, as well as bookmarks and cards, in Coventry, England.
Garment Identification. Never fear losing your jackets or jumpers again. Uniform labels. Successive generations of schoolchildren and adults have relied on sewn in name labels for identifying their clothing. I am pleased to hear that Cash’s are still making their clothing labels in the UK.
Most companies label their products with information regarding country of origin. The better companies also give this information on their websites too.
Did you know that this is not a legal requirement to give country of origin information in the UK although it is for countries like the USA and Japan.
Did you also know that for medicines making statements like ‘country of origin’ is not possible under European Medicines and Medical Devices Legislation.
If country of origin is not given, please ask the company concerned where something is made before buying.
Where companies do not label their products with country of origin information, this leaves the consumer unable to make informed decisions about what they buy, and in particular the provenance and sustainability of products.
Did you know that a few years ago, perhaps up to the 60s or even 70s, some products such as cutlery were marked England (meaning made in England), Empire (meaning made in one of the countries that were part of the British Empire) or Foreign (meaning made abroad, but not within the Empire). At least that is what I assume these markings on some cutlery and other goods means.
A Made in England label
I would also encourage companies to use labels that are themselves that are made in the UK. For example GB Labels and Cash’s labels are made in the UK I understand.
Various “standard” made in Britain marques are available to manufacturers, including the “Made in Britain” marque and the British Family “Made in Britain” marque or a company can just make their own.
Toye (Toye, Kenning & Spencer) craftsmen have created identity products for civil and military markets since 1685. Toye & Co still manufacture some of their items in its UK factories. However, you should check with them if something is actually UK made. A lot of things they sell are manufactured outside of the UK, for example their black ties and white gloves are made abroad – http://www.toye.com
For men’s white gloves try A. Farley Country Attire or Boylan and Co. Both sell white gloves made in England. Toye & Co white gloves are not made in the UK (and neither are their black ties). Also, Southcombe Gloves sell white and black UK made ceremonial gloves in their e-bay store.
Established in 1887 Suppliers of Masonic and Ceremonial Regalia A. R. Fabb Bros Ltd sell items made in the UK, but you will need to check with them that what you need is made in the UK as it is not stated on their website.
A.R.Fabb Bros Ltd Master Masons Apron. Made in Britain. 29 April 2019.
A.R.Fabb Bros Ltd Master Masons Apron. Made in Britain. 29 April 2019. Label view
Lewis Masonic is a long established firm, founded in 1886, specialising in the publication of Masonic texts. Then called A Lewis, the focus of the company was exclusively on ritual books from Masonic Craft degrees through to the Masonic side orders. In 1973, A Lewis became part of Ian Allan Publishing and the name was changed from ‘A Lewis’ to ‘Lewis Masonic’. Nowadays, ritual books are still kept a priority at Lewis Masonic but the company’s focus has expanded to cover all areas of Masonic publishing.
Hand and Lock – fine hand embroidery since 1767 – M Hand and S Lock merged in 2001 to form Hand and Lock – Civilian and Military Regalia and fashion embroidery – Hand embroidered badges for clubs, institutions, societies, liveries, and masons; military laces and accoutrements; bespoke hand embroidery – They have a store and workshop in London – I am not sure how much they use British made materials or if all their items are made in the UK – http://www.handembroidery.com
Jacquard Weaving Company Limited will produce your club or corporate design woven in the finest detail. 100% manufactured in the UK woven badges, labels, epaulettes, pennants, ties (traditional or “Clip On”, bows and ruffles) plus they can customise polo shirts, rugby shirts, fleeces and the like and uniform clothing with woven badges permanently attached, or fully embroidered designs. They also have eBay shop stocking many “off the shelf” badges etc at http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/Badges-Patches-and-Things – http://www.jacquard.co.uk
Jacquard Weaving Company Union Flag Badges, Velcro back 9.8cmx4.9cm. Made in the UK. Alos available sew on Union Flag badges / patches.
For name tags to in clothes, Cash’s (or J. J. Cash Ltd or more recently Cash’s Apparel Solutions (UK) Ltd) are still making some of their products in England I think. In an email of 8/813 Cash’s told me “we still make the name tapes , bookmarks and cards in Coventry”. Just their name tapes , bookmarks and cards are made in England and their other items are foreign made. I am not sure if this has changed since they went into Administration in January 2014 and then came back again in April 2014. I have not heard that manufacturing has moved from the UK but it would be advisable to check. I note they were moving to new premises during December 2014 – http://jjcash.co.uk
Royal Warrant holders the Firmin Group make and sell uniforms, ceremonial uniforms, metal badges and buttons, epaulets, horse furniture, medals, headdress, swords, uniforms, caps, gloves, clothing for films and theatre, civilian suits, and civilian hats. The oldest part of the Group, Firmin & Sons was established in 1655. The Firmin Group has factories in London and Birmingham, producing the majority of their products. Country of origin is not given on their website and many products they sell are foreign made. You will need to ask. The Firmin Group incorporates – Firmin and Sons, Kashket and Partners Ltd., E.C Snaith and Sons, and Patey Hats.
Patey Hats – Royal Warrant holders – Riding hats, top hats, bowler hats, military hats and caps, peaked caps, ceremonial hats, trilby hats, fedora hats, hat boxes / bags and so on – Patey Hats also offer monogrammed initials embroidered either inside, or on the back of the velvet lining by Hand and Lock, and hat repairs. Prices are not given on their website, but you can see prices of some military items on their E.C Snaith and Sons website. They have a store in London (and no other stores) near Oxford Circus and sometimes visit shows. I am not sure if all their hats are made in England – you will need to ask – http://www.pateyhats.com
Wedding of Prince William and Catherine (Kate) Middleton, London, 29.4.11 – Princes William and Harry. Uniforms by Kashket and Partners, buttons and accesories by Firmin & Sons, fabric by Hainsworth.
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