S.E.H.Kelly - Highest quality British design, fabrics and manufacture

I visited S.E.H. Kelly yesterday and came away wishing I could have bought almost everything they had on display. In my hunt for style I felt I had found the Holy Grail, for here are British-designed and manufactured products of highest quality, using British fabrics - cottons, tweeds, Ventile, knits.

Before arriving, I wondered if the styles would be suitable for a man of middle years. Trying the garments on, I found that, magically, S.E.H. Kelly's designs suit any age. They have done this by using classic, simple shapes with muted colours that, together, give an impression of quiet elegance and quality.

S.E.H Kelly Ventile mac

The designs have been given subtle twists by the designer, Sara (whose business partner is Paul) which skilfully impart a contemporary feel. The textures of the British-made fabrics show off the clothes to good effect. The details; placing of pockets, the British-made horn buttons, the shape of collars, warm soft linings - everything feels well thought out and just right.

Detail of green cord/wool cashmere jacket (with straps for carrying on a bike)

As you can tell, I was smitten, both by the clothes and by the enthusiasm of Sara and Paul for their products. They tell me that their customers are also often interested in the fabrics, their provenance and construction; it would be difficult not to feel passionate about such British-made quality. Sara showed me some trousers that were made from a roll of tweed found at the back of one of their supplier's stores, showing the lengths they go to to find cloths for their products. Most have a limited production run.

Many men are looking for classic, durable clothing, rather than worrying about transient trends - some have moved on to S.E.H. Kelly from the big brands for these reasons. Visitors to the Shoreditch workshop receive a warm welcome and cannot help being overwhelmed by the quality and passion that has gone in to the garments. These are clothes to buy, wear hard and then hand on to your offspring.

Businesses like this deserve to flourish; if they do then British tweed and cotton mills, weavers, knitters, seamstresses, farmers, shirtmakers, designers, etc. will also thrive - and that is what we want. The prices are reasonable, the quality is the highest; you'll still be wearing these clothes when others more costly have long gone or are looking sadly dated. Get over the S.E.H. Kelly now, but leave some for me. Website here.