Harvie & Hudson

H&H is one of those fine English outfitters that every chap should have in his back pocket. Perhaps best known for their bespoke shirts which are still cut on the premises, they are the last of the Jermyn Street shirt makers still owned by the founding family. Bold butchers stripes are a trademark, as is the white collar and cuff shirt –which is my preference for something classic and bold.

I’ll confess I have a shirt maker and so haven’t bought either their bespoke or ready to wear shirts. But here is a nice little article by Will on his blog ‘A Suitable Wardrobe’.

Where I find them useful is in supplying everything else, from Covert coats to boxer shorts. And I have to say I love their kit. If you’re looking for no-nonsense old school, classic clothing at a fair price and of good quality they’re the guys. A good example is their lambswool jumpers, a couple of which I bought on Saturday. Under a £100 for two, they’re 2 ply, soft but substantial and made in Scotland. As someone who sports more of a  family-pack than a six-pack one of the things I particularly like about Harvey & Hudson is that their clothing is classic cut, so I don’t have to worry about sizing.

I’m sure that some would be put off by the dowdy exterior and interiors to the shops. It would be fair to say that remodelling hasn’t been high on the agenda. But the staff are approachable and courteous – particularly the old boys – and if  the image of a shop is the sort of thing that matters to you, then you’re free to go to flashier establishments and pay more for a lot less.

That said, after years of inactivity there appears to be movement at H&H, not only have they redesigned the website to give it a fresher look, they have also introduced a line of slim fit shirts to their ready to wear range. I was also interested to learn that they have teamed up with that other Jermyn Street icon, Taylor of Old Bond Street, and begun offering a barbers and grooming service in a new establishment in the City.

Speaking for myself, Jermyn Street really wouldn’t be the same place without them.