• 185 YEARS OF UNDERSTATED BRITISH CLOTHING
Brilliantly British clothing - since 1839
Brilliantly British clothing - since 1839

Brilliantly British clothing - since 1839

Heritage and history

Learn about the stories behind 180 years of history, and the heritage of the collections.

The Cordings Bogart Raincoat

2024 marks the 185th anniversary of Cordings of Piccadilly, and the Bogart Raincoat embodies our legacy of dressing the British gent beautifully. Meticulously crafted in London, this piece is more than just outerwear—it is a celebration of British heritage and functional design. Inspired by military tradition and tailored with the modern gentleman in mind, the…

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Magee of Donegal

Magee, a fifth-generation Irish family business, boasts an impressive legacy spanning over 150 years in the art of crafting exquisite fabrics and clothing in the heart of Donegal. The journey began over a century and a half ago when John Magee laid the foundation for this enduring enterprise. In the 1860s, he embarked on a…

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Corgi Socks: Where Heritage Meets Craftsmanship

For over 130 years, Corgi has been expertly crafting, in Wales, socks and knitwear across five generations of the Jones family, maintaining a tradition of excellence that dates back to its founder, Rhys Jones. A Family Tradition Today, the family business is overseen by Lisa Wood and Chris Jones, great-great-grandchildren of Rhys Jones. They’ve embraced…

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King Charles III – 75 Years Of Royal Style

The Prince of Wales, ascended to the throne following the passing of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on September 8, 2022. As November 14th, 2023 approaches, the King is poised to celebrate his 75th birthday. To honour this milestone, we've curated an article delving into the remarkable life he has led. His understated British style…

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Stay Warm, Look Cool: Dressing for Bonfire Night With Cordings

What’s the history of bonfire night? In 1605 Guy Fawkes and his associates attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament and assassinate King James I. To celebrate the fact that the king had survived and the plot was thwarted, people lit bonfires around London which started a tradition that has lasted for centuries. In…

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From the Archives – An Interview With Harry Knight

The following is a short chapter from a book by Thomas Girtin, in the 1950’s Girtin interviewed various clothing makers for his book ‘Makers of Distinction’ including one Harry Knight from Cordings. Mr Knight relays stories of working his way from being a fifteen year old apprentice to manager. Along the way he had the…

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Exploring Liberty Fabrics

Renowned for their distinctive prints, superior craftsmanship, and cultural significance, Liberty shirts have carved a niche in the fashion world, embodying a perfect blend of tradition and modernity. A beacon of timeless elegance and artistic expression, Liberty London have a global reputation for iconic, quintessentially British designs, carefully printed on superior cloths. A shirt made…

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The Mackintosh Inverness Cape

John Charles Cordings first opened his store in The Strand in 1839 offering a collection of practical outerwear, made using cutting edge technology –‘vulcanised’ rubber bonded onto a sturdy cotton drill. His garments, created in collaboration with Thomas Hancock and Mackintosh were immediately hugely sought after. Practical and stylish they were the original performance coats…

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Prince Philip Style – A Life In 9 Outfits

As Cordings joined the nation in mourning the sad loss of the Duke of Edinburgh, we paused for a moment to celebrate the life and style of a truly elegant royal gentleman who set the highest standards of dress throughout his life, both on duty and off. When His Royal Highness, The Prince Philip, Duke…

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