Welcome to The English Laundry®, purveyors of fine clothing, fragrances, and accessories for the modern gentleman. Our story begins in London in the 1960s, when our founder, Nigel Thompson, had a vision for bringing classic British style to the modern world.

Nigel got his start in the laundry business as a young man in London, where he worked for his family’s modest neighborhood laundromat. As Nigel laundered shirt after shirt, he began to appreciate the craftsmanship that went into a truly well-made dress shirt. He admired the elegant fabrics, the precise stitching, and the tailored fit.

As his interest grew, Nigel learned everything he could about the art of shirtmaking. He ventured into London’s finest shirtmakers on Jermyn Street, befriending the owners and studying their techniques. After years of learning and honing his craft, Nigel decided to open his own haberdashery focused on impeccably crafted men’s shirts. He called it The English Laundry, as a nod to his laundry business beginnings.

The Early Days on Jermyn Street

In 1964, The English Laundry opened its doors on Jermyn Street, in the heart of London’s historic St. James neighborhood. Nigel stocked the shop with fine cotton dress shirts featuring English Laundry’s signature details: French cuffs, contrast lining, and mother-of-pearl buttons.

While classic Jermyn Street shirtmakers focused on formal white and pale blue shirts, Nigel had a more modern sensibility. He introduced bolder stripes and checks in colors like pink, mint green, and lavender. The English Laundry shirts were made for the trendsetting mod about town, not the bankers and barristers.

Word spread quickly about this upstart shirtmaker with an eye for bold colors and prints. The English Laundry became the shirtmaker of choice for London’s musicians, artists, and trendsetters in the Swinging Sixties. Orders poured in from bands like the Rolling Stones, the Who, and the Kinks. Nigel could barely keep up with demand.

Expanding the Brand in the 1970s & 80s

By the 1970s, The English Laundry was ready to expand beyond shirts. Nigel brought on talented young British designers to join him in reimagining men’s attire for a new generation.

They introduced fitted pants in slim silhouettes and bold colors, moving beyond traditional blues and browns. Next came polo shirts and rugby shirts with distinctive striped trim and the English Laundry crest. Then came finely crafted sweaters, jackets, and accessories like belts and wallets.

In the 1980s, The English Laundry continued to innovate with updated takes on classic menswear staples like the trench coat and peacoat. Nigel also expanded the brand’s offerings to include a line of signature English Laundry fragrances inspired by great men’s scents of the past.

By the 1990s, The English Laundry had grown into one of Britain’s most recognizable menswear labels. But Nigel knew the brand had the potential for even greater reach. He decided it was time for English Laundry to cross the pond and introduce its distinctive take on British style to the United States.

Bringing English Laundry Style to the Americas

In the mid-1990s, Nigel partnered with an American entrepreneur named Ralph Laureano to bring The English Laundry stateside. They opened the first English Laundry store in New York City, on Madison Avenue. The response was even better than expected, with young American professionals and celebrities snapping up the brand’s slim-cut pants, bold polos, and dapper outerwear.

More English Laundry stores opened across the United States, including flagship locations in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami. Each new market enthusiastically embraced the brand’s youthful twist on heritage British style.

Next, The English Laundry expanded into Canada, opening stores in cosmopolitan cities like Toronto and Vancouver. Canadians appreciated the brand’s blend of classic British refinement and modern fits designed for life in North America.

In the 2000s, The English Laundry made its first forays into Mexico, Central America, and South America. Cities like Mexico City, Panama City, and São Paulo welcomed English Laundry’s chic urban sensibility. Latin American style icons helped introduce the brand’s smart silhouettes and bold colors to new audiences.

Today, with Nigel Thompson retired, The English Laundry continues under the leadership of Ralph Laureano. After nearly 60 years, the brand remains dedicated to bringing its vision of quintessentially British style – bold, refined, and modern – to discerning gentlemen worldwide.

Crafting Timeless Style

Throughout all the changes and growth over the decades, The English Laundry has stayed true to Nigel’s founding vision: creating impeccably crafted menswear that captures the best of British style.

Our designers find inspiration walking the streets of London, browsing the stalls at Portobello Market, and digging through the archives of Savile Row’s legendary tailors. We respect the heritage techniques that defined classic British apparel, while continually refining and modernizing our fits and styles.

Every English Laundry garment begins with attention to detail. We use only the finest fabrics, woven from Egyptian cotton, silk, cashmere, and merino wool. Experienced craftsmen cut and sew each garment by hand in our own English and European workshops, incorporating time-honored techniques like:

• Custom shirting patterns designed for optimal fit and comfort
• French seams that encase raw fabric edges for durability
• Working buttonholes on cuffs and collars rather than cheap mock ones
• Pickstitching along collars, cuffs, and plackets for decorative flair

We also apply specialty finishes that add comfort and character:

• Enzyme washes for lived-in softness
• Overdyeing to produce rich, saturated colors
• Brushed treatments for cozy textured fabrics

Our in-house designers obsess over every proportion, contour, and stitch. The result is timeless menswear elevated by thoughtful contemporary touches. When you don The English Laundry, you step into clothing crafted with pride, care, and joy.

The English Laundry Lines: Clothing, Fragrances & Beyond

Now let’s explore the breadth of what The English Laundry offers the modern gentleman today.

Shirting

It all began with our shirts in the 1960s, and innovative shirting remains the soul of our brand. We offer a vast array of shirts for business or pleasure.

• Business shirts in classic solids and stripes, spread and cutaway collars
• Casual poplin and linen shirts for relaxed style
• Premium sea island cotton with silky softness
• Trim fit polos and rugby shirts
• Short and long sleeve henleys
• Vibrant floral prints and paisley designs
• Plaid tartan shirts that nod to Scotland

Along with perfect fits and premium fabrics, we add special touches like contrast interior trim, color-tipped collars, and signature mother-of-pearl buttons.

Pants

Our trousers are designed for refined ease and flexibility. Choose from dress slacks, casual chinos, and laidback joggers.

• Flat front and pleated dress pants in solids and pinstripes
• Soft washed chino pants in earth tones and pastels
• Stretch denim in classic and modern washes
• Cargo pants and shorts loaded with pockets
• Comfy stretch joggers for weekend wear

We tailor our pants with thoughtful details like button-flap back pockets, curved waistbands, and interior drawstrings. Choose from custom hem options so your pants sit just right.

Outwear & Knitwear

Our outerwear and knitwear keeps you looking sharp as the weather cools. Browse leather jackets, mac coats, puffer vests, cardigans, and more.

• Leather motorcycle jackets with classic Café Racer style
• Waxed cotton jackets and parkas waterproofed for rain and snow
• Quilted nylon vests and puffer jackets insulated for warmth
• Wool peacoats, topcoats and overcoats for cold-weather elegance
• Cozy cardigans, sweaters and pullovers in cotton, wool and cashmere blends
• Striped scarves, hats and gloves

We design our outerwear with impeccable tailoring and characterful accents like throat latches, shoulder epaulets, and anchor emblems. Our knits blend natural fibers for incredible comfort and versatility.

Suits & Tuxedos

For momentous occasions, complement your outfit with one of our tailored suits or tuxedos. Our custom suiting brings together luxurious fabrics and elegant silhouettes.

• Timeless two- and three-button wool suits in modern slim and classic fits
• Summer linen and seersucker suits in light hues
• Plaid suits that mix patterns and textures
• One- and two-button tuxedos for black tie optional or required affairs
• Made-to-measure suit options with custom fabric selection and sizing

Our suits are half-canvassed and fully lined, with working buttonholes and handmade buttonholes. Choose from peak, notch or shawl lapels to complete your look.

English Laundry Fragrances

Scent is the most powerful trigger to memory. Our signature fragrances will always connect to your most meaningful moments.

• Fresh, clean Cologne Pour Homme: bergamot, geranium, cedarwood
• Mysterious Oxford Bleu: fig, leather, sandalwood
• Invigorating Windsor: ginger, grapefruit, sea greens
• Sophisticated Mayfair: rose, oud, smoky woods
• Tantalizing Riviera: citrus, sage, sensual musk

Layer with our body washes, deodorants and beard oils to surround yourself with your signature scent.

Sunglasses & Optical Frames

Lend a scholarly flair to your look with our eyewear collection. Browse optical frames and sunglasses in timeless shapes with unexpected details.

• Optical frames like bold Clubmasters, angular Wayfarers and vintage-inspired Aviators
• Sunglasses with polarized lenses and reflective treatments
• Durable acetate or lightweight metal frames
• Signature elements like keyhole bridges, colorblock temples, and rivet accents

With styles suited for work or weekend, our eyewear provides comfort, protection and sophistication.

Accessories & Grooming

Pull together a polished head-to-toe look with our accessories and grooming collection. These considered details will elevate your style.

• Handcrafted leather belts in rich hues
• Sleek cufflinks and tie clips for formal flair
• Durable canvas weekend bags for travel and adventure
• Luxurious neckties in wool, silk and cotton
• Rejuvenating skincare infused with botanicals
• Nourishing beard oils and mustache waxes
• Sophisticated pocket squares made from vintage fabrics

Let our accessories be the perfect finishing touches to any ensemble.

The English Laundry Lifestyle

Ultimately, The English Laundry is more than just clothing and accessories. It’s a lifestyle – one of boldness, intellect and appreciation for the finer things.

We create clothing for cultured, worldly men who embrace innovation without abandoning the foundations of heritage style. Men who appreciate attention to detail, premium quality and peerless craftsmanship.

These men value enhancing their lives with beautiful, meaningful possessions. They’re passionate about the arts, sciences, travel and ideas. They engage vigorously with the world while retaining their principled composure.

Above all, English Laundry men are lifelong students who seek to learn, experience and contribute to something greater than themselves. They thoughtfully curate their wardrobes as tools to take on life’s adventures in style.

So while fashion changes with the seasons, the English Laundry ethos remains constant. We’ll continue crafting the finest menswear and sharing our vision of the good life. And we hope you’ll join us on the journey.

The English Laundry Today

Sixty years since Nigel Thompson opened the first modest store on Jermyn Street, The English Laundry continues to bring its bold British style to gentlemen worldwide. We now have:

• 250+ retail stores across 5 continents
• E-commerce sites serving over 50 countries
• A vibrant wholesale presence in 600+ specialty shops
• Licensing partnerships for eyewear, grooming and fragrances

Even with this global reach, our focus remains on quality over quantity. We pride ourselves on staying small enough to meticulously craft each garment while keeping our British heritage at the core.

This commitment continues to win The English Laundry recognition worldwide:

• Named “Brand of the Year” by the UK Fashion Council, 2021
• Included in the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” list by Ethisphere Institute, 2019 – 2022
• Voted “Coolest Men’s Brand” by Esquire readers in the US, UK, and France

Most importantly, we remain dedicated to upholding the standards of service, style and integrity that Nigel Thompsoninstilled from day one. We aim to keep earning the loyalty of our customers and living up to the expectations set by our name.

On behalf of everyone at The English Laundry team, we thank you for joining us on this journey. Here’s to many more adventures ahead.