London. A city of beginnings. Of industry and invention, of tailors and traders, where heritage and style have always walked hand in hand. It's where many great British brands found their footing — and for Gloverall, it’s where our story began.
Our roots stretch back to the early 1950s, in Cricklewood, North West London, where Harold and Freda Morris first set out with a vision: to craft practical, honest clothing using the best materials Britain had to offer. The timing wasn’t easy — post-war Britain was short on labour and even shorter on cloth. But grit and resourcefulness go a long way, and by the mid-50s, our duffle coats had begun to capture the attention of civilians seeking quality, warmth and timeless design.
As demand rose, production moved deeper into the capital — first to Hackney, then Tottenham, and later to Carter Lane in the City of London, where an old pre-Victorian building became the heart of our growing operation. Every stitch, toggle and panel was made close to home, allowing for a level of oversight and craftsmanship that laid the foundations for Gloverall’s reputation.
But growth brings its own challenges. By 1960, demand outstripped space. A government policy at the time made further expansion in London tricky, and so, with a sense of quiet ambition, we moved north — settling into a new home in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire.
The link with London, though, never faded. In the early 1990s, a changing manufacturing landscape in Wellingborough led us back to the capital, this time to Elthorne Gate in Pinner, in search of the skills and hands that had always helped shape our coats. It was a return, not just to geography, but to the spirit of what made the brand tick: craftsmanship, quality, and community.
Even now, many of Gloverall’s finest coatmakers first learnt their trade in London’s workshops — and that influence still runs through our seams. The city’s postwar utility aesthetic, its emphasis on honest design, and its reputation for quiet innovation have all left their mark on the Gloverall duffle.
Today, our story continues from Earls Barton, Northamptonshire, just a stone’s throw from Wellingborough. It's where our warehouse now lives — and where tradition meets modern tailoring each day. Though we no longer have a flagship store in London, our pieces are still found in the city’s finest shops and boutiques, keeping the connection alive.
We’ve always believed in doing one thing well — crafting outerwear that lasts. From the original duffle coat to more contemporary silhouettes, our aim has remained the same: to create garments of character, built for real life, and made to endure.
London was where it started — where the cut, the cloth, and the character of Gloverall were first shaped. And though we've since taken root in the heart of Northamptonshire, the city’s influence remains woven into everything we do.