Local talent: The best contemporary British menswear brands
From exquisite tailoring to individualistic edge, add these young British menswear brands to your wardrobe for effortless style
All products are chosen independently by our editors. Luxury London may earn commission on items purchased.
British menswear know-how has a storied legacy. From the bespoke tailoring of Savile Row to the finest Scottish knitwear, the UK houses some of the best menswear labels in the world. And, while heritage brands continue to hold an esteemed reputation for their years of expertise, a new generation of younger brands is changing the game entirely with their fresh, sustainability-driven approach. From Percival’s contemporary knits to Clothsurgeon’s bespoke streetwear, here are the best British menswear brands to shop right now.
Percival
This Hackney-based brand has blown up over the last few years, and how. The British menswear brand’s famous camp collar shirts and abstract cosy knits have found favour with the likes of Chris Evans and Andrew Garfield. Percival’s design language is a modern, playful take on classic wardrobe staples – knitted jacquard shirts with vivid impressionist strokes, basic white T-shirts emblazoned with tiny embroidery patches, camp collar shirts and overshirts featuring contemporary prints. The brand’s clothes have a uniquely British signature but are made all over the planet – embroidery from London, wool knits from Portugal, printed fabrics from Japan and specialist outerwear from China. It has also partnered with suppliers committed to reducing water consumption, making its clothes good for the planet as well.
Universal Works
Launched in 2009 from co-founder and designer David Keyte’s kitchen table, Universal Works draws inspiration from his youthful memories of musical and sporting subcultures in the ‘70s. The brand’s design aesthetic is strongly grounded in trendy minimalist workwear: think fleece gilets, versatile shackets, and pleated trackpants. The Nottingham-based British menswear brand champions skilled, small-scale production and focuses on high-quality long-lasting garments. Its collaboration with footwear label Yogi is definitely worth checking out for a touch of preppy street style this autumn.
Wales Bonner
A symphony of contemporary cultural references and impeccable tailoring, Wales Bonner hardly needs an introduction. Launched by Grace Wales Bonner in 2014, the label has made waves on the British and global fashion scene since. With craft tradition and Afro-Atlantic perspectives underpinning her design vocabulary, Wales Bonner is crafting exquisitely elevated menswear. She has received numerous prestigious awards including Emerging Menswear Designer at the British Fashion Awards (2015), the LVMH Young Designer Prize (2016), CFDA International Men's Designer of the Year (2021) and Independent British Brand at the Fashion Awards (2022). From polished wool sweaters and shell jackets made with collegiate references to chic patterned overcoats, the Wales Bonner aesthetic is a unique collision of inspirations and techniques.
Studio Nicholson
If you’re looking to curate a wardrobe filled with timeless silhouettes, look to Studio Nicholson. Established in 2010 by Nick Wakeman, the brand crafts minimalist tailored pieces that transcend trends. With a deeper focus on the tactility of fabrics than the trends of the season, the brand’s functional pieces are the perfect start to building the ultimate capsule wardrobe. A quick trip to its Soho store will give you all the elevated basics you need – crisp white shirts, pleated wide-leg pants, and straight-cut overcoats that go with everything.
King & Tuckfield
Established in 2016 by Stacey Wood, this East London-based brand has a distinctly vintage feel to it. This is probably due to the fact that Wood draws inspiration from her childhood memories and treasured family albums. The brand is named after her grandmother Joan King, a ballerina from East London, and her father, Graham Tuckfield, a tailor, paratrooper and miner from Yorkshire.
The label prioritises slow production – its merino wool is sourced only from New Zealand-based suppliers to ensure traceability and transparency, while regenerative materials including GOTS-Certified cotton, recycled fabrics like Cupro and natural fibres containing natural rose-bush waste are used in collections, and denim is sourced from a small Italian mill. From wide-leg pleated trousers and knitted polos to straight-line overcoats and wrap jackets, King and Tuckfield garments are surefire conversation starters.
Clothsurgeon
The brainchild of former Leeds United footballer Rav Matharu, Clothsurgeon was founded in 2012, setting itself apart with an unexpected blend of sportswear and bespoke tailoring. The brand’s offerings are contemporary takes on traditional suiting – think functional vests, relaxed bomber jackets featuring technical zippers, and leather track pants cut to the perfect slouchy fit. With celebrity clients including Riz Ahmed and ASAP Rocky, the first-ever bespoke streetwear store on Savile Row is definitely one to keep on your radar.
S.S. Daley
Liverpool-born menswear designer Steven Stokey-Daley launched his eponymous label in 2020. Quickly making waves on the fashion scene, his quintessentially British designs won him the LVMH prize in 2022. Stokey-Daley explores themes of class privilege and public-school tradition in his garments, all of which are sustainably handma de in Britain using upcycled or natural textiles. The brand’s iconic duck cardigans are a cult-classic Gen Z favourite while the wide-legged linen trousers championed by Harry Styles have multiple iterations that are definitely a must-buy.
Aaron Esh
Barely a few seasons old, Aaron Esh's eponymous brand is already one of London Fashion Week's most-awaited shows – proof, perhaps, of his incredibly fresh take on menswear. The Central Saint Martins graduate takes inspiration from the irreverent chaos of his East London neighbourhood for designs that are as subversive as they are wearable. Think trousers topped with bubble-hem skirts, woolen jumpers featuring ruched details, cropped jackets with curved seams and draped blazers. Having already won several accolades, including the British Fashion Council Newgen award, this young brand is definitely one to watch.
Read more: The best British jewellers for any occasion
