Made by British Craftsmen - NPS Shoes

Traditionally-made British shoes are known for their solid appearance, resilience and durability, crafted to last a lifetime. A resurgence in demand for British-made goods means that we are witnessing a revival in home-grown manufacturing, including the expansion and regeneration of shoe manufacturers.

Once the shoemaking capital of Europe, the county of Northamptonshire has a history of shoe manufacture dating back to the 13th century. Born in the village of Wollaston, Northamptonshire in 1881, five villagers banded together to form a co-operative called the Northamptonshire Productive Society (NPS). 

Beginning with an order from the government for army boots, production grew rapidly with the development of industrialisation. During the 1950s Austrian Dr. Maerten (we know as Dr. Marten) and his associate Mr Funck developed the air cushion sole and NPS were chosen to manufacture footwear with this new sole. In 1959 the first English pair of sample boots with air-cushioned soles were welted in the NPS factory. They produced boots and shoes under the name ‘Dr Martens by Solovair’ (sole-of-air) for 35 years!

Following this success, during the 1980s and onwards, business declined in line with UK manufacturing, mainly due to imports from other countries. At the turn of the century, the shoe factory with over 130 years of experience was saved from the verge of collapse by a local man, Ivor Tilley, preserving local skills and jobs. The factory has since regained strength, distributing shoes worldwide and supplying well-known British and international brands.

To see how NPS shoes are made, from start to finish, take a look at their factory page.

A favourite is the Apron Tassel Loafer in burgundy, exquisite British craftsmanship right there:

Icons of British excellence - Gloverall

Grab your coat and woollens, Autumn is here! Time to wrap up and what better way to stay cosy than British-made coats? Luckily Gloverall have some excellent pieces to keep the warmth in and the Great British weather out...

Gloverall are known for bringing the duffle coat into the fashion world and have been producing them for the past 60 years. The duffle coat was originally born from necessity, the name coming from the Belgian town, Duffel, who made the thick wool. Although the fabric was produced offshore, the first Duffle coat was actually produced in the UK and was soon adopted by the Royal Navy as a result of its durable properties. Following the second world war, through an opportunity to sell off military surplus Duffles, Gloverall was born.

Take a look at the Mid Monty in Italian Rob Roy check cloth and needle punched knit with vintage toggles.

S.E.H Kelly

"They are many, the makers of the British Isles — and some, like those here, are remarkable. Not only do they produce fabrics and components that won’t be found elsewhere, they do so to impeccable standards, and in many cases have for generations. A good number, meanwhile, are family-run, or woven intractably into local community. And, tucked away as they are across the Isles, none of them are too far from the doorstep. It’s a pleasure, all told, to work alongside them."

S.E.H Kelly make garments utilising the excellent skills of British industry. All fabrics and trims are sourced from regional mills and co-operatives spanning the breadth of the British Isles. Garments are cut, sewn, and finished by hand by a handful of factories and specialist makers.


British pride in a label. Check them out...

Albam Clothing

Looking for simply great fabric and a quality product? Albam Clothing started in 2006 with a desire to create a brand using the simple combination of a quality fabric with a well-made garment. Take a look here.

Hiut Denim - Our town is going to make jeans again

You've seen the recent furore for British manufacturing, most probably Mary Portas and her knickers. I applaud her feat as good old fashioned British industry has suffered for years and I want to help in any way I can to bring it back. For years, the competition of overseas manufacture has weighed heavily on the textiles and clothing industry, but there are labels still out there and I think it is our responsibility to seek them out and buy from them. Have some British pride and spend a little more on something that will last you longer than two washes!

This brings me to Hiut Denim, a heartwarming story of hope from Cardigan, a small town of just four thousand people. Four hundred of the population used to make jeans for a living and for three decades, thirty-five thousand pairs were being produced a week. This was until the factory closed down and the workers lost their jobs.

Fortunately, the skills were not lost, only lay dormant, waiting for a manufacturing miracle, and it came! The Hiut Denim Company brought manufacturing back home to Cardigan...

Yes, Cardigan is going to make jeans again, by using the best quality denims and the know how of the workforce, Hiut Denim are sticking simply to making jeans, and making them well. Read more on the story here.

"As one of the Grand Masters said to me when I was interviewing: “This is what I know how to do. This is what I do best.” I just sat there thinking I have to make this work. So yes, our town is going to make jeans again."

Sunspel - luxury underwear and casual basics

Sunspel is one of England’s oldest labels in luxury underwear and casual basics dating back to 1860!

Using six generations of textile innovation and old school tradition, Sunspel take influence from their past and think to the future to create their idiosyncratic style and are now under the direction of British designer, Jonathan Anderson.

The factory is based in Long Eaton, Nottingham, making Sunspel one of the few brands to keep manufacture in Britain. They are utilising their history of skill and capability to hand cut and sew many of the clothes in England.

With a refined range including polos and knitwear engineered to fit, take a look at their superior quality essentials for your wardrobe here.

The man and his legacy, Private White V.C.

Heritage, passion and devotion. This brand are a true British gem.

Inspired by family heritage, Private White V.C. produce quality everyday menswear using superior British materials and craftsmanship. With a collection designed by Nick Ashley, a designer with a long history in the fashion industry and also the son of interiors designer Laura Ashley, the collection includes timeless pieces that balance both functionality and style.

Inspiration comes from Jack White, a founder of the original Manchester factory, a proper English gentleman and military hero. This is where the name of the brand was born, Private Jack White returned to Manchester at the end of the war and began an apprenticeship as a trainee pattern cutter in the local factory. He worked his way up to General Manager and then Owner and sadly passed away in 1949 aged 52 years.

Little did he know that the same factory he had worked in all those years ago is now under the watchful eye of his great-grandchildren, and manufacturing a line of carefully crafted garments, inspired by his heroism and style. Take a look here.