The oldest British tailoring house that still operates today, making suits and formal wear, is Ede & Ravenscroft, established in 1689, known for ceremonial robes, legal attire, and bespoke menswear, while Henry Poole & Co., founded in 1806 and often called the "founder of Savile Row," is another extremely old and prestigious brand renowned for its classic bespoke tailoring. Both brands represent centuries of British tailoring heritage, with Ede & Ravenscroft holding the title for the earliest founding date.
10 of the most historical luxury brands founded in Britain
Explore the best 15 British-made men's suits brands manufactured in the UK, including Turnbull & Asser, Ede & Ravenscroft, Henry Poole, MacAngus & Wainwright, and Sunspel. Discover Suits, and formal wear. Browse luxury, premium, and affordable options to find high-quality UK-made suits built to last.
1. The Royal Mint (Established in 886 AD) The Royal Mint is undoubtedly one of the UK's oldest businesses, with a history dating back over a thousand years.
Ede & Ravenscroft is thought to be London's oldest tailor, with a history that stretches back over 335 years.
Brooks Brothers Inc. is a luxury American clothing brand founded in 1818 which is the oldest apparel brand in continuous operation in the United States.
Britain has a long sartorial history, stretching from Savile Row to underground raves. Here are more than 40 fashion brands that crystalize the UK's range.
Very generally speaking, the oldest company in the world is usually recognized as Kongo Gumi, the Japanese construction company that was founded in 578 AD.
Q. What are the most valuable UK brands?
Chiddingstone Stores, may be the oldest working shop in the UK, dating back to 1453. Today it offers a wide range of groceries, greetings cards, gifts and homewares and ice creams. It also has an amazing traditional sweet counter.
The best suit makers vary by budget and style, with top names including Italian luxury houses like Brioni and Ermenegildo Zegna for bespoke quality, classic American brands like Brooks Brothers, and modern favorites such as SuitSupply for excellent value, plus renowned tailors like Oscar Hunt and Montagio (Australia) for personalized made-to-measure options. For ready-to-wear, GQ and Oliver Wicks highlight brands like Tom Ford, Gucci, Hugo Boss, and J.Crew, offering diverse choices from high fashion to accessible style.
Davies & Son has the longest history of any independent tailor on Savile Row. Established in 1803, the bespoke tailor has made garments for four Kings, seven Crown Princes, two US presidents and innumerable Knights of the Realm.
The "5 suit rule" is a men's style guideline, popularized by Steve Harvey, suggesting that owning five essential suits—black, navy, gray, brown, and tan—allows you to create numerous outfits (often cited as 75+) by mixing and matching the jackets and pants with basic shirts (white, cream, powder blue) for maximum versatility. It's a strategy to build a foundational wardrobe with versatile pieces that can be combined to form many different looks.
Related Story. The King is a famous patron of Savile Row's British tailoring stalwart Anderson & Sheppard which specialises in the body cocooning double breasted suits which Charles has made his signature.
Burberry: Basingstoke, UK
With a commitment to quality and a forward-thinking approach to fashion, Burberry continues to set trends while honoring its rich history, making it a global leader in luxury fashion.
The Oldest Luxury Brands Still in Business
A place where premium British brands like Barbour, Hunter, Fairfax & Favor, Musto, Holland Cooper, Joules and others come together with leading international brands, including Aigle, Gant, Timberland and Le Chameau.
The five brands that made the list—Lock & Co. Hatters, Floris, Fortnum & Mason, Ede & Ravenscroft, and Berry Bros. & Rudd—stand out as the oldest British luxury brands still genuinely British-owned.
Burberry, heritage outerwear icon
Today Burberry stands as Britain's most recognisable brand.
French fashion house Hermes is the oldest luxury brand in the world still in operation today. It was founded in 1837 by Thierry Hermes. The designer originally produced saddles and other riding gear.
Let's break down the history of America's oldest running brand. Starting all the way back in 1818, Brooks Brothers has been continuously running in the States ever since.
Founded in 705, Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan is the world's second-oldest company and the oldest independent business.
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Which 10 Iconic British Fashion Brands Should You Know?
Traditional British clothing and styles
From the classic raincoat to the Harrington jacket; bowler hats and the finely tailored three-piece suits to our own luxury knitwear; British designs and names have firmly defined both our country's heritage, and established our place within the fashion world.