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The 50 best British brands

We take you through 50 of the best British brands...

When considering the British gentleman, the first thing that should always spring to mind is our array of incredible great British brands; one quality that we can look to with supreme pride. Innovation is undoubtedly one of the best qualities that Britain possesses and, equally, heritage and tradition are large pieces of the puzzle that these brands always manage to work with.

From Aston Martin to Gieves & Hawkes., Britain has created some of the world’s greatest – and most well-known – brands in the world (coupled with the world’s most famous gentlemen who immortalised great British style). And so gentlemen, we’ve put together an extensive list of 50 of Britain’s best brands that we think every gentleman should know about…

Barbour

Unrivalled in every sense of the word, there’s no doubt that Barbour should come high on this list. The brand are one of the best in the game for functional and beautiful outerwear that’s guaranteed to last for years and years.

Private White V.C

Headed by Nick Ashley, son of one of the most successful British designers in the world, Laura Ashley, Private White V.C has become the place to head for structured and stylish outerwear.

“We’re more than just a fashion brand, not only do we design and market our garments ourselves, but we also lovingly create each of our items within our Manchester factory.” James Eden, CEO

Oliver Spencer

Every sophisticated, modern gentleman should be familiar with Oliver Spencer, which has, overtime, become one of the most sought-after and closely watched menswear brands. Spencer himself is a true English gent, so what’s not to love?

Hackett

Hackett is one of the most quintessentially British brands there is, combining years of second-to-none designs with perfect manufacturing and everything in between.

Land Rover

No list such as this would be complete without including Land Rover, which is a brand associated with all aspects of Great Britain – and for good reason too. The brand was founded in 1948 and has been making waves off-road and throughout towns and cities all around the world ever since.

Purdey

Purdey is a brand synonymous with the English countryside; one who’s heritage is at the forefront of everything that it does and produces. Purdey has been going strong since 1814 and continues to be one of the most sought-after British brands there is.

Crockett & Jones

Something you might not know about Northampton; that it’s a place commonly associated with shoe-making, and has been since the middle ages. Crockett & Jones was founded in Northampton in 1889 and remains wildly popular with everyone from Prince Harry to Daniel Craig and everyone in-between.

Holland & Holland

Holland and Holland remain one of the best and most highly respected field sporting brands on in the world; creating clothing and guns with unrivalled distinction and some of the best materials in the world.

Boodles

When you think diamonds, you think Boodles. People travel in from around the world to be a part of Boodles, a part of the story and the heritage that most dream about owning but that few do.

Floris

Finding a scent that’s worthy of a gentleman can be a difficult thing to come by. There’s so much competition out there, but one that always steps out into a league of its own in Floris, a scent that James Bond and Ian Fleming were partial too and if it’s good enough for them – it’s good enough for us.

Bentley

Bentley is a brand that has unparalleled heritage and stature in the ever competitive car world – a place that’s hard to break into and that few do. Bentley creates some of the most sought after designs in the world, with each and every one of them hand-crafted in their Crewe factory.

Rolls-Royce

Since 1904 Rolls-Royce have been creating some of the most iconic and classic cars in the world; a car that has since become heavily associated with English heritage and history. No best of British list is complete without Rolls-Royce at the top.

Lock & Co

Top hats and fedoras are an accessory synonymous with the English gentleman and Lock & Co are the brand to go to for such an item. Heritage and tradition are at the heart of Lock & Co’s ethos, and since the brands been around since the 1600s, they play a large part in every one of their hats.

“What makes Lock so special is the unique blend of history and luxury. Every Lock hat attests to our commitment to quality and indeed our two royal warrants do too. We offer the very best: the best design, the best fabric and the best service. All set against a backdrop of 339 years which no other hatters can lay claim to. Lock is very much part of the St. James DNA, indeed we’ve been here the longest and this charm is what attracts people to us – when you buy a Lock hat you are literally buying a piece of history.” Hannah Rigby, Marketing Executive

Dunhill

For a brand that’s been going since 1893, Dunhill have an incredible way of staying contemporary and classic throughout every single season they put on – and their history is a massive part of their charm. Dunhill has gone from selling everything from car parts to pipes and tobacco to some of the most sought after clothing in the world.

Johnstons of Elgin

No British list such as this would be complete without the inclusion of an incredible cashmere brand, which is where Johnstons of Elgin comes in. Since it was first established in 1797, the company is still run by the same two families that started it, the Johnson’s and the Harrisons.

Berry Brothers

If you get any English gentleman to name a wine brand, we guarantee that almost every single one of them will say Berry Brothers. With a royal warrant from the queen, and the winner of award after award, Berry Brothers is as British as it gets and is as prevalent a British brand as it was when it launched in 1698.

Boss & Co

Boss & Co are producers of the highest quality guns in the world, and have been for over 200 years. The company ethos is built on tradition, functionality and impeccable design and is often named as one of the most sought-after British brands in the world.

Gieves and Hawkes

When you think about traditional English Savile Row tailoring, one of the first brands that should spring to the mind of every English gentleman is Gieves and Hawkes. The British brand is so well trusted that it has been awarded three Royal Warrants by Her Majesty the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales.

Geo F. Trumper

Geo F. Trumper is a British barber than stands out time after time in a continuously saturated market, and one that works with tradition at the base of everything it does. It’s been on the scene since the 19th century and still remains to rival all other modern barbers in the country through its two locations on Duke of York Street and Curzon Street.

Mulberry

Mulberry is a seriously strong contender for being one of the most famous accessories brands in the world, with heritage running through its bones and remaining a huge part of the design that it’s most well-known for. You’d be hard pushed to find an Englishman or woman who isn’t familiar with Mulberry, and we have a feeling that it’s not going anywhere fast.

Burberry

If you were to go to any country in the world and ask them to name a British brand, we can pretty well guarantee that they will choose Burberry every time. The brand has gone from strength to strength since it was founded in 1856 by Thomas Burberry and continues to be one of the most highly sought after and respected British brands in the world.

Aquascutum

A brand that’s been going strong since 1851 deserves to be in a list such as this. With roots hailing from the heart of Mayfair as the tailor destination to be seen at, Aquascutum later in 1895 moved to its current flagship store on Regent Street. The brand continues to create some of the best tailored items on the market and is renowned from country to country for it’s impeccable appeal.

“As a true British heritage brand, we pride ourselves on quality and innovation, and this has always been more important than following short-lived trends like so many other brands. There is a fondness that people associate with Aquascutum, with some of its garments playing a key part in the wardrobes of several generations.” Elise Hamer, Marketing Executive

Hardy Amies

When you think Savile Row, you think Hardy Amies. Sir Edwin Hardy Amies himself was best known during his time as an official dressmaker for Queen Elizabeth II. The tailor is one of the most highly respected in the world and with clients such as the Royal Family, when you purchase anything from you brand you can be sure that you’ll be in good company.

Loake

A list highlighting the best British brands would not be complete without including Loake, one of the most established and well-known shoemakers in the world. The family-run company has been going strong in 1880 and today, five generations and more than 130 years later, the brand lives on to be stronger than ever.

Belstaff

Belstaff is a brand that has a rich a history as many on this list, and who’s history remains well and truly engrained in every single one of the items it releases today. With roots planted firmly in Staffordshire, the brand is undoubtedly one of the best of British and their history continues to live on.

Alexander McQueen

This distinctly British brand is one of the most famous and world-renowned brands in the world, with all fashion eyes firmly on the label’s every move. McQueen himself was one of the most highly respected in the industry, and before his tragic death in 2010 won 4 British Fashion Council awards proving his incredible talent.

Ettinger

Holding a Royal Warrant from the royal family is something that every British brand aims to have within its lifetime, and Ettinger is one brand who has successfully obtained one. Ettinger was founded in 1934 and has since then become renowned for creating luxury leather goods that will last a lifetime.

Paul Smith

Paul Smith is one of the most successful designers in the world, and his brand is one of massive stature and success. He is constantly and unapologetically proud of his British roots, which are a massive feature in most of his collections and individual designs. Paul Smith is a name that we will continue to hear for years and years to come, as the history of the brand lives on.

Pringle of Scotland

It’s all in the name and Pringle of Scotland is one of the most iconic Scottish brands and was founded in 1815, firmly setting down its routes in the Scottish knitwear industry. The brand is one of the most trusted in the world for its impeccable cashmere, which has been worn by many British icons, including the Duke of Windsor.

Vivienne Westwood

As controversial in her designs as she is successful, Vivienne Westwood is the true definition of a woman proud of her roots. She’s often seen sporting a union jack in her designs, she is a true philanthropist for many British charities and is one of the most well established and well respected fashion designers in the world.

Jo Malone

Every British household will have a little bit of Jo Malone within it; the brand is absolutely synonymous with England. Jo Malone is the very definition of sophisticated yet understated luxury and has a history as rich as some of its scents.

Henry Poole

Henry Poole is absolutely synonymous with great British branding, and holds not one but two warrants from the royal family. Hailing from the most famous street for tailors in the world, Savile Row, in 1806, the brand still today prides itself on creating some of the most beautiful bespoke suits in the world.

Turnbull & Asser

Turnbull & Asser recently celebrated their 130th year in the industry and is another proud owner of the Royal Warrant. World renowned for making some of the finest clothing in the world, Turnbull & Asser live on to be one of the most successful and well-known brands in the world.

Emma Willis

With the factory sitting in the middle of Gloucester in a beautiful 18th century townhouse, Emma Willis is about as British as it gets. The brand creates some of the most luxurious shirts, boxer shorts, pyjamas and dressing gowns in the world; clothes truly fit for a gentleman and bespoke items that will last you a lifetime.

John Smedley

John Smedley’s factory sits in Derbyshire, in the heart of the British countryside and is about as English as you can get. The building has been sitting there since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution when the brand was founded in 1784 and therefore it’s impossible not to feel that every piece the brand creates holds a little piece of England within it.

Aspinal of London

Aspinal is one of the most well-known British brands for making impeccably designed and well-made luxurious leather goods. Aspinal continues to create some of the most beautiful items in the world and lives up to its name as being one of the best British brands on the market.

“Aspinal of London has remained true to it’s artisanal heritage, making hand crafted leather goods with a distinctly British style. It’s important to us that real people can afford to buy Aspinal, after all it’s not very British to be flashy about accessories. Our customers are smarter than that. They are looking for beautiful high quality pieces that are handcrafted and Made in England or Europe. Accessories that are reflective of a refined English sensibility, practical, designed and made to be loved for a lifetime.” Mariya Dykalo, Creative Director

Asprey

Asprey: a brand that has been setting standards since the 1700s and who continues to hold its place in the British market today. Creators of some of the world’s finest silverware, watches, leather and handbags, Asprey firmly holds its place as one of England’s most loved and most respected British brands.

Sunspel

Sunspel was founded in 1822, at the very beginning of the Industrial Revolution and during a period of massive, world-wide change. Thomas Hill, Sunspel’s founder, started with a vision that still lives on in the brand today, and that was to create simple, everyday clothing from beautiful fabrics.

Kent and Curwen

Kent and Curwen was established in 1926 by two English gentlemen and began its time as a manufacturer of military, club and college repp ties that helped define 20th century British style. The brand now creates items that serves as the foundation of a gentleman’s modern day style and continues to be one of the most highly respected in the world.

Oliver Sweeney

Creators of some of the most incredible leather shoes in the world, Oliver Sweeney firmly holds its place, year after year, as being one of the most sought-after and well-respected English brands in the world. Oliver Sweeney have been creating incredible, comfortable and beautifully designed shoes for 25 years and continue to be one the world leaders in their field.

Hunter

Every self-respecting British gentleman (and woman) will be wildly familiar with Hunter, one of the most successful and widely recognised British brands in the world. Hunter was founded in 1856 in Scotland and the brand still today has an incredible reputation for innovation and pioneering design.

Nyetimber

Every gentleman should have a taste for the finer things in life, and that includes a beautiful bottle of sparkling wine. For over 25 years the Nyetimber Vineyard has had the aim to make the finest English sparkling wine – and they’ve succeeded.

Glenfiddich

When you think whisky, you think Glenfiddich – right gentlemen? The brand has been creating the finest dram a gentleman can drink since 1886 and with the distillery still sitting in remote Scotland, Glenfiddich is a British a brand as it gets.

Smythson

It doesn’t get much more British than luxury leather goods maker Smythson; a brand that has a strong a history as can be and that has created some of the most beautiful stationary and bags in the world since its founding in 1887.

Annabel’s

Annabel’s is a British institution that is known all around the world for its incredible, beautiful interior design and the world-famous parties that happen within it. Annabel’s is a true rival of any luxury establishment in the world, and is still as sought-after an institution as it was when it first opened in 1963.

Kilgour

No visit to Savile Row is complete without a trip to Kilgour, one of the finest British tailors in the world. Heritage is a huge part of the brand and year after year its collections and craftsmanship solidify its place as a true luxury establishment.

Huntsman

Huntsman truly defines Britain: it is home to some of the most beautifully bespoke, tailored, and a place that has been creating wonderful suits since the mid-1880s. Some of the most iconic gentleman in the world have worn huntsman, and it’s a brand that continues to live up to its expectations year after year.

William & Son

No British brands list would be complete without the purveyors of all things Britain; William & Son. The brand was been established since the late 1990s and continues to create and curate some of the most beautiful, well-made goods in the world.

William & Son are a great British brand because apart from the pillars of luxury i.e. attention to details, quality, service etc. – we have a deep ingrained heritage where individualism is highly prized. Bespoke is a crucial element of our ethos. We sum it in one expression – All things are possible, the only limitation is your imagination. Lou McLeod, CEO

Thomas Pink

There’s not one gentleman in the whole of England who won’t be familiar with Thomas Pink, who are one of the best and most successful British shirt makers in the world. The flagship store sits on London’s Jermyn Street, the home of traditional shirt making, including UK made-to-order, and is one of the most widely recognised brands in the world.

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