our history

In 1896, Henry Percy and Frederick Herbert Dugdale established their cloth merchants business in Huddersfield, the centre of Britain’s fine worsted industry. Using skilled designers, weavers and finishers, their ranges soon found favour with the finest tailors and their reputation quickly spread throughout Europe and the Americas.

In the 1910s, the UK clothing industry was dominated by domestic textile production, but it faced early signs of decline due to global competition. The First World War (1914–1918) heavily impacted the industry, shifting production towards military uniforms and wartime fabrics while causing labour shortages as men went to war.

Women’s roles in textile factories expanded, but rationing and economic hardship led to simpler, more practical clothing. The rise of ready-to-wear garments began, reducing reliance on bespoke tailoring. Despite wartime disruption, British wool and cotton mills remained strong, though competition from overseas was increasing.

During this decade, Dugdale Bros. began exporting fine worsted fabrics internationally, establishing a global presence.

In the 1930s, the UK clothing industry faced economic hardship due to the Great Depression, leading to reduced consumer spending and factory closures, particularly in textile-producing regions like Lancashire and Yorkshire. However, mass production of affordable clothing continued to grow, making fashion more accessible.

Women’s styles became more refined and feminine, influenced by Hollywood glamour, while men’s tailoring remained a mark of British craftsmanship. The industry also saw the rise of synthetic fabrics like rayon. By the late 1930s, as war loomed, military uniform production increased, setting the stage for further disruption in the 1940s.

During this decade, Dugdale Bros. became known globally for continuing to provide high quality cloth still made from natural resources, and outstanding value.

In the 1960s, the UK clothing industry was revolutionised by youth culture, mass production, and new synthetic fabrics. London became a global fashion capital and street brands expanded rapidly, making fashion more accessible. Meanwhile, traditional textile mills in the North faced growing competition from cheaper overseas imports.

Boutique culture thrived in areas like Carnaby Street, while men’s tailoring evolved with slimmer, modern silhouettes. By the late ’60s, hippie and psychedelic influences took over, marking a shift towards more experimental and unisex styles.

In 1963 Dugdale Introduced the White Rose Sporting Tweed and Tattersall collection, responding to the demand for casual wear.

The 1970s saw a further decline in the British textile and clothing manufacturing sector. Many mills and factories, particularly in traditional textile hubs like Lancashire and Yorkshire, struggled to compete with cheaper imports from Asia.

Despite these challenges, Dugdale Bros. continued to innovate and work hard to maintain their renown mix of quality and value – protecting local jobs and factories and ensuring production of fine worsted and woollens continued.

In the 2000s, ethical concerns over sweatshops and environmental impact grew, leading to the rise of sustainable fashion and second-hand marketplaces. Meanwhile, domestic textile manufacturing remained minimal, with most production outsourced overseas.

Dugdale Bros & Co. continued to supply the words best tailors and designers and opened a showroom in Mayfair, London – enhancing our presence in the heart of British tailoring.

During this decade the rising interest in sustainability provided some revival opportunities for the textile industry. Wool, being biodegradable and renewable, saw increased demand in high-end fashion and outdoor apparel, with brands promoting its eco-friendly properties.

Government and industry bodies like the Campaign for Wool, led by Prince Charles, worked to highlight the benefits of British wool, but large-scale textile production remained offshore.

Dugdale Bros & Co. celebrated 120 years in business and introduced the “1896” cloth, inspired by their rich and storied heritage.

A renewed interest in domestic and heritage manufacturing has emerged in luxury markets, with high-end fashion and bespoke houses seeking out well-made innovate cloths that meet their strict quality and sustainability standards.

Small-scale British textile production has also seen a revival, with an emphasis on quality, traceability, and sustainability rather than mass production.

In 2024 Dugdale Bros expanded operations into the US Market, providing the same unparalleled service to the US, Mexico and Canada to forge partnerships with new brands and designers.