Turnbull and Asser: Shirtmakers to the Sovereign
“Founded in 1885, Turnbull & Asser is the definitive British shirtmaker. From dressing Winston Churchill in his signature sirens suits to outfitting James Bond for over half a century, the brand represents a masterclass in Jermyn Street elegance. By maintaining their own dedicated workrooms in Gloucester, they ensure that every stitch represents the absolute pinnacle of English sartorial craft.”
1. The Heritage
Starting as a hosier in the Victorian era, Reginald Turnbull and Ernest Asser built a reputation for dressing the British elite. Their historical significance cannot be overstated; they created the first "Siren Suit" for Winston Churchill and held the first Royal Warrant ever granted by HRH The Prince of Wales in 1980.
Turnbull & Asser remains a bastion of independent craft, famously known for its bold use of colour and signature three-button cuff.
2. The Location
While their iconic flagship store resides at 71 & 72 Jermyn Street, London, the heart of the business is their factory in Gloucester, England. Here, a dedicated team of cutters and seamstresses - many of whom have been with the brand for decades - produce their ready-to-wear and bespoke shirts using traditional techniques that have remained unchanged for over 130 years.
3. The Difference
Pattern Matching: Every shirt is cut so that patterns (stripes or checks) match perfectly at the seams, gauntlets and collars - a hallmark of high-end English tailoring.
Ethical Sourcing: They use only the finest ethically sourced cottons and sustainably harvested Mother of Pearl buttons.
Bespoke Longevity: A Turnbull & Asser shirt is designed to be repaired, not replaced. They offer a collar and cuff replacement service to extend the life of a garment by years.
The Royal Seal: Thei company’s Royal Warrant is a guarantee of quality that is reassessed regularly, ensuring they maintain the highest standards of service and production.
4. The Hero Products
The Royal Oxford Shirt: A classic of the range, featuring the company’s signature "Regent" collar and three-button cuffs, tailored entirely in their Gloucester workrooms.
Hand-Rolled Silk Ties: While the luxury ties of many other brands are now machine-finished, Turnbull & Asser ties are hand-cut and hand-slipped in England to ensure they drape and knot perfectly.
The Winston Churchill Siren Suit: A modern recreation of the Great Man’s iconic garment, produced to the original specifications in their UK tailoring rooms.
5. The Essentials
Royal Warrant Holder.
Product Index: Business shirts, casual shirts, Formal & Evening wear, tuxedos and dinner-jackets, shirts, Suits trousers, and blazers, Coats & Jackets, Trench coats gilets, wool overcoats, and shearling coats, Knitwear, ties and cravats, Pocket Squares, braces, cufflinks, dress studs, Leather Goods, Nightwear and loungewear, pyjama sets, dressing gowns, Bespoke Shirtmaking, Made-to-Measure apparel.
