The top British menswear brands: essential UK fashion labels

Let's be honest, we're a little biased here. However, it's not an exaggeration to state that British menswear has been a trendsetter in men's fashion for centuries. Its influence is ubiquitous, from the way clothes are manufactured to their appearance and how they are styled.

For impeccable suits, the affluent flock to London's Savile Row. The renowned Northamptonshire shoe industry pioneered many of men's staple footwear styles. Chinos, cardigans, desert boots, and trench coats all originated from British military attire. Iconic trends like punk rock took the world by storm after originating on this small, fashion-forward island.

The following British menswear brands are at the forefront of fashion. From traditional trendsetters to modern disruptors, these labels are responsible for the finest British menswear styles, catering to every taste, budget, and dress code.

GIEVES & HAWKES

Gieves & Hawkes, located at No.1 Savile Row, is one of the most prestigious addresses in London, setting the standard for suiting since Hawkes & Co's move there in 1913. With a rich history dating back to 1771 and 1784 for Hawkes and Gieves, respectively, the two companies merged in 1974 to become one of the world's oldest tailoring houses. Notably, Gieves & Hawkes has an extensive military background, having served illustrious figures such as the Duke of Wellington, Winston Churchill, and Michael Jackson. The brand's reputation has also earned it the honor of holding warrants from the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, and Prince of Wales.

CHEANEY

Cheaney is a shoe brand that has an interesting ownership history. It is owned by two cousins from the Church family, which is another well-known shoemaking dynasty in Northamptonshire. Church & Co acquired Cheaney in 1966, and Prada later purchased Church & Co in 1999. However, Jonathan and William Church later repurchased Cheaney a decade after that. Unlike some other companies that claim to be British but actually outsource their manufacturing to cheaper factories in the Far East, Cheaney shoes are still produced in Desborough, Northamptonshire. In fact, they are "closed and cut" at the same factory that has been making them since 1896.

MARKS & SPENCER

Marks & Spencer is a British brand with a history dating back to 1884 when it was founded by Michael Marks, a Polish Jew, on Leeds’ Kirkgate Market. Despite any associations with being outdated, the brand's fresh Autograph range, endorsed by the popular model Oliver Cheshire, and suiting collection, promoted by David Gandy, who has also designed swimwear, loungewear, and underwear for the company, dispel any such notions. As one of the largest fabric buyers, the enterprise offers excellent quality for your money.

BURBERRY

Burberry's brand DNA is rooted in innovation, from the introduction of gabardine by Thomas Burberry in 1879, a weatherproof cotton worn by Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen when he reached the South Pole in 1911, to the iconic trench coat created from the Tielocken belted coat during WWI. The brand, over 160 years old, continues to push boundaries, streaming catwalk shows live, reducing the number of seasons from four to two, and offering immediate availability of its clothes for purchase. Burberry reigns as a leading British label known for its constant evolution.

TED BAKER

Ted Baker, despite its name, was actually founded by a shy entrepreneur named Ray Kelvin in 1987. Kelvin, who received a CBE for his contributions to the fashion industry, started with a small store in Glasgow that offered laundry services alongside shirt sales. Ted Baker has since expanded without relying on big advertising campaigns, instead embracing a quirky, offbeat style for its products and marketing. The brand has even ventured into grooming services with dedicated Grooming Rooms that offer haircut and wet shave experiences.

UNIVERSAL WORKS

Starting a fashion brand from home is nothing new, but few can match the success and experience of Universal Works. David Keyte created the brand as a DIY project after working for Paul Smith and Maharishi. Universal Works has since become a cult favorite that celebrates the style of working-class dressers from the 1970s. Today, the brand remains fiercely independent, with a growing customer base devoted to its homegrown, rough-and-ready clothing.

GRENSON

In 1913, William Green & Sons were shortened to Grenson, a Northamptonshire shoemaker that has always been more agile in terms of branding and design compared to its peers. The G:Two range is produced in India to maintain a relatively affordable price point, while the G:One and G:Zero lines are manufactured entirely in its Rushden factory, which is only the company's third location since 1866. Grenson has long been recognized as a pioneer of the Goodyear welting method in shoemaking, and they have recently returned to their roots by introducing the innovative Triple Welt technique.