Greatcoat - coats made in England

I first came across Greatcoat at Jacket Required, a menswear trade show. They were still developing the business, but now have an AW14 collection of London-made coats to show. Although new to me, Greatcoat is a family business combining over 80 years of experience across the fashion apparel and accessories industry. Using these skills they have created a premium brand inspired by iconic outerwear styles updated for a contemporary look. 

I tried some on and was  impressed by the design, fabrics and fit. Greatcoat are proud of their British-manufacturing background; their coats are made in London.  They tell me that they use only the best available Italian wools and wool blends bonded with neoprene and British fabrics from Halley Stevensons (waxed cottons) and British Millerain (waxed wools) and Harris tweed. 

Retail prices vary from £275 to £400; scotching the view that British-made means high prices. See Greatcoat's website.

Drake's - a silk tie is made in London

My hunt for style had uncovered many manufacturers making menswear in Britain, but I'm always excited to discover those making in my home-town, London. Drake's is a menswear business I've been aware of for a while. I have one of their superb Fair Isle sweaters and have often visited their website to drool over scarves, knitwear, ties and pocket squares of an exquisite beauty and design.

Ties and colour at Drake's Haberdasher Street factory in London

I was invited to visit their London atelier in the appropriately-named Haberdasher Street in Clerkenwell, East London, a few weeks ago. There I was offered a bespoke tie and watched as skilled crafts people made a silk tie from a beautiful Macclesfield-made ancient madder. I followed the tie around the workshop, from cutter to machinist to pressing and final checking, chatting to the workers. As with all factories I visit, the pride in their skills and the final product is palpable. 

The cutter starts on my tie

The products Drake's make are the result not only of these workers' skills, but of fabrics of outstanding quality and of design skills that take their menswear to a level that all UK manufacturers should aim for. Essentially classic, their menswear is contemporary in style, making it ideal for the older man looking for something special.

I'll be writing about Drake's AW14 collection in a future post. You too can have a bespoke tie made, or select from the off the peg range. See Drake's website for more information or to buy online.

The machinist starts on the tie and then moves to other workers further assembly and stitching

Checking symmetry and angles

The labels are stitched on before final checking and packing