The landscape of clothing manufacturing has changed dramatically since the 19th century. Once a powerhouse of textile production, the UK’s role has shifted as globalization, consumer demand, and cost factors pushed much of the mass-market garment production overseas.
Yet, the UK is still home to clothing manufacturers — though they now focus on niche, high-quality, and sustainable production rather than mass-market output.
The Decline of Mass-Market Clothing Manufacturing in the UK
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the UK was at the forefront of global textile and apparel production. Over time, much of this large-scale manufacturing moved abroad to Asia and other regions where labor and production costs are lower.
This shift allowed global fast-fashion companies to scale rapidly, but it also reduced the UK’s role in high-volume clothing manufacturing.
UK Clothing Manufacturers Today
Although mass production is no longer dominant, there are several clothing manufacturers in the UK that continue to operate, often in specialized or luxury segments:
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Johnstons of Elgin – Cashmere knitwear; recently expanded facilities in Scotland with advanced knitting technology.
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John Smedley – Luxury knitwear brand; investing in new machinery to revive and expand UK production.
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Hawthorn – Startup-friendly custom clothing manufacturer with very low MOQs (from 50 pieces).
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Hook & Eye (Birmingham) – Full service manufacturing and design support, catering to startups and global brands.
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White2Label – Specialises in white-label and custom clothing with low MOQs (from 25 pieces).
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Fashion Works London – Sampling, pattern cutting, and production hub for UK fashion startups.
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Pavash Ltd / Cottonfrog – UK workwear and uniforms; in-house embroidery and printing.
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The Sampling Unit – High-end garment sampling studio serving boutiques and independent designers.
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Grade House Ltd – Provides startup-to-line production with British craftsmanship and full supply chain support.
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Musa Apparel – Flexible, low-MOQ UK clothing manufacturer with fast lead times.
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Oh-Sew-Whitty Ltd – Bespoke clothing production including design, sourcing, and grading.
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Ivyi Rose – Startup-friendly, ethical UK manufacturer with no minimum order requirements.
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Clothing Manufacturers UK (London) – Ethical and sustainable bespoke clothing production with in-house capacity.
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Community Clothing – Social enterprise producing “Made in the UK” basics across 30+ domestic factories.
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Sunspel – Luxury basics (T-shirts, polos, loungewear) made at their Nottingham factory.
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London Tradition – Specialist in duffle coats and trench coats, manufacturing in London.
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AW Hainsworth – Heritage textile mill supplying military and ceremonial fabrics.
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Howies – Eco-friendly brand producing T-shirts, jeans, and sportswear in Wales.
These companies represent the modern face of UK clothing manufacturing — small-batch, high-quality, and often sustainability-driven.
The Rise of Sustainable and Local Clothing Manufacturing
In recent years, there has been a growing demand for sustainable fashion. Consumers are increasingly aware of supply chains and the impact of fast fashion, leading to a resurgence of smaller-scale UK clothing manufacturers.
Many UK brands now emphasize:
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Ethical labor practices.
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Environmentally friendly fabrics.
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Transparent sourcing and craftsmanship.
Why Global Sourcing Still Matters
For mass-market clothing brands, retailers, or startups in the UK, relying only on local manufacturers can be limiting due to:
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Higher costs of production.
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Limited capacity for bulk orders.
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Narrower product categories.
This is why many UK fashion companies continue to partner with clothing manufacturers abroad — especially in India, which offers scale, certified ethical factories, and cost efficiency.
Looking for scalable clothing manufacturers to complement UK production?
Synerg partners with international brands as a trusted clothing manufacturer and private label apparel supplier. While UK manufacturers excel in luxury and small-batch production, we provide high-quality, sustainable, and custom manufacturing at scale — with worldwide delivery to the UK and Europe.
👉 Work With Synerg – Custom and Private Label Clothing Manufacturers
