Best of Britannia & the best of British menswear & accessories

Best of Britannia is now in its fourth year and it continues to be an event that attracts established and new businesses making everything from bicycles to basques in the UK. It is open to the public this weekend (27 and 28 June 2015) at 3 - 10 Shoreditch High Street, London.

While I was interested mainly in the menswear and accessories, I was diverted by other well-crafted products, as you'll see below. Regulars will recognise some of the businesses below, several were new to me and I hope to cover many of them in more detail at some point. Meanwhile, you will find basic information and contact details below.

Brita Hirsch showed me her beautiful tailoring. She is based in Cheshire, but makes regular trips to London to see clients. She is a true bespoke tailor and your clothes will be made from a unique pattern that she will cut for you. Hirsch Tailoring.

Hill & Ellis make leather bike bags in England. The detail and quality of the construction is outstanding.

The Holborn magazine celebrates quality wherever it's found. A good read for anyone with a wide interest in anything from craft, food to fine tailoring.

Well-known to regulars of this blog, Susannah Hall is a great supporter of made in Britain and all her clothes are tailored here in the UK. A visit to her shop in Clerkenwell is a must. 

Here are two great British head footmen together. On the left is Justin Hall of Pantherella who make such superb socks in Leicester and on the right is William Church of Joseph Cheaney & Sons, English shoemakers. Coincidentally, I was wearing their products when I took this image; no doubt explaining their wonderful smiles.

Cravat Club is well-known to readers and their English-made silk cravats and pocket squares are firm favourites.

New to me, EDG London was founded this year by artist Natalie O'Hara. Beautiful ties and accessories, all made in England, hold promise for a successful brand and I look forward to bringing you more in the future.

The incomparable Walsh make trainers for both performance and casual use in Bolton, Lancashire and I wear a pair as I type - 'nuff said really. Norman Walsh.

Loveday London is a product for men in the sense that, if you see it, you will want it for the woman in your life. Their luxury lingerie, loungewear and candles are beautifully made in Wales and are just so sexy. Very highly recommended.

Shackleton Clothing is basing its products around the famous explorer and I will be writing about them again soon. Made in Britain, as you'd expect.

Swift & Co make very interesting footwear in Burnley, Lancashire - a cunning mix of classic uppers and sporting soles. I hope to bring you more in future. Meanwhile, see Swift & Co. 

Sam Brown, English leather wear and belts on which all the components (and buckles in various metals including silver) are made in the UK. New to me - beautiful workmanship.

Finally, and again new to me, Nuwold, making leather goods and umbrellas. Lovely stuff, I'll bring you more information when I can. 

Best of British Menswear Week: British Boxers, UK-made underwear for men

British Boxers have launched their new website british-boxers.com and added a new range of super comfortable stretch trunks (see my recent post here) to their original range of British-made traditional cotton woven boxer shorts. 

Deborah Price in the ring fighting for British menswear

They've also added a men’s and ladies nightwear range, using the finest two-fold cottons and cosy cotton flannel, and called it Double Dapper. This sleepwear range (which is made outside the UK) uses the best quality fabrics, including two-fold cottons and brushed cotton flannels. I'm told its exclusivity means it's only manufactured in small runs - so act quickly to buy.

Owner of British Boxers, Deborah Price, a former nightwear buyer for a leading luxury nightwear company, says: 

"British Boxers were launched in 2013, but I have worked in the nightwear sector for over fifteen years and just couldn't leave it behind. That’s why we have designed our Double Dapper range; it really is a labour of love. The launch of british-boxers.com is the culmination of two years of sheer determination and hard work. We have used stunning fabrics and workmanship to bring you these collections."

British Boxers and Double Dapper are available at british-boxers.com from October. 

Buy British Day launched - Friday 3 October 2014

Yesterday Best of Britannia unveiled Buy British Day which is to take place on Friday October 3rd 2014 to coincide with the first consumer day of the annual Best of Britannia event. The Day will focus attention on the provenance and quality of the huge range of great products produced in Britain.

The panel included Timothy Everest (left) and William Church of Cheaney Shoes (2nd from right)

I will revisit this event later in the year. As I've said many times in my writing, it is ironic that British products (menswear in particular) are appreciated more overseas than at home for their quality and heritage. Buy British Day has been launched to change that.

It was wonderful to see so many of the made in Britain brands I've had the privilege to mention here on Grey Fox, including, Walsh Trainers, Cheaney Shoes, Age of Reason scarves, Cherchbi, Susannah Hall Tailors and others. Some I know, but haven't yet talked about here, like Chapman Bags and Carradice cycle bags. Others, excitingly, were new to me and I hope to write about them in future, such as Jessica de Lotz jewellery, Doe Leather and Caterina Belluardo shoes. There are many other brands involved, of course.

Please support Buy British Day on the 3rd October by seeking out the fantastic range of British-produced goods on offer throughout the UK or at Best of Britannia.

Grey Fox tries on Dashing Tweeds at Best of Britannia

Grey Fox had a very enjoyable day today at Best of Britannia, a three day celebration of the best of British products. I met many extremely friendly and helpful people, all of whom are selling products made and designed here in Britain.

I will be posting about some of the exciting products I saw as part of the Grey Fox Made and Designed in Britain Month. My search for style in middle age has always had a home-grown feel to it, and I'm determined to keep it so.

I spent some time at the Dashing Tweeds stand, where Guy and his colleagues told me more about their wonderful home-produced tweed menswear. I tried on a jacket from their new ready to wear range (see photo; I'm the grey one!) It was beautifully made and a pleasure to wear; all too briefly! I will be writing more about Dashing Tweeds and other Made in Britain brands over the next few weeks.

October will be Made in Britain month on Grey Fox

In my search for style I've found many exciting products made or designed here in the UK - see my posts from the last week or two. As a result, I've decided to have a British-made theme this month.

I've already mentioned many British names over the first few months of this blog. Nigel Cabourn, Sir Paul Smith, Barbour, Belstaff, Harris Tweed among others - and there are plenty more (of all sizes, new and older) where they came from. All these make, design or supply clothes for the man who wishes to step out in style. Watch this space over the next few weeks.

Coincidentally, there is a Best of Britannia event in London over the next few days - visit the website here for more information. This covers every sector, from music to marmalade and celebrates British designers and manufacturers.

If you supply British-made or designed fabrics or goods, like this biker jacket from James Aubrey (more later from this company), please get in touch.

(Incidentally, the car below reminds me of a white MG I owned, down to the MG Owners' Club badge. A very British car, then unfortunately in its twilight years under the misguided management of British Leyland).

James Aubrey biker jacket - British waxed fabric