130 YEARS OF TURNBULL AND ASSER

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ver wondered what kind of shirts are adorned by the British Royal Patriarch? Or the infamous 007(s)? No, they aren’t made of any gold, silver or platinum fiber. They are, however, made by Britain’s finest shirtmaking company called Turnbull and Asser. It would be safe to say that they have revolutionized the art of shirtmaking and hence, have been ruling the shirt kingdom for 130 years now.

Also a clothier and tie maker, the company was founded by Reginald Turnbull, a hosier, and Ernest Asser, a salesman in 1885. Not only known for making dress shirts more stylish, the brand is also known for developing a raincoat which doubles as a sleeping bag for the British army during World War I. Standing tall in the corner of Jermyn Street and Bury Street, Turnbull and Asser gained much popularity by dressing the first ever James Bond – Sean Connery in 1962, thereby, making the iconic James Bond Cuff which is nothing but turnback cuffs fastened with buttons as opposed to cufflinks. A vibrant caterer to Swinging London, Prince Charles have always been fascinated by what the brand had to deliver in the form of either shirts or ties. Thus, it came as no surprise when a-new-power-bestowed-upon Prince Charles issued his first ever Royal Warrant (an honor given to tradespeople to supply goods and services to the royal court or royal personages) in the favor of his favorite shirtmakers.



Later owned by Ali-al Fayed, the brand has always received love from its loyalists and admirers and this is probably the reason why it has managed to royally contribute to the world for about 130 years. Attention to detail is another aspect of the brand which has made it stay afloat at the very top. Miniscule details like the use of iridescent mother of pearl buttons and not flimsy and cheap plastic buttons make the brand known for it’s supreme and bespoke quality. The variety of fabric used for making shirts like Egyptian Cotton and West Indian sea Island Cotton is not only unique to other brands but also ensures the finest quality. The brand also cares a great deal about the weave and offer weaves like Oxford, Herringbone, and Poplin amongst others. The company believes that “It’s not just the material or fit that dictate a shirt’s style – it’s the finishing details, from the top of the neck to the sleeves end.

Located only in London and New York, the company is a shirt making maestro and has widened its services and products since its inception. The brand now deals in knitwear, suits, made-to-measure services, ties, hosiery and many more bespoke products and services. Be it their seven collar options or trio of cuff choices, we are thankful to Turnbull and Asser, for their vestments have been transforming men into something more classy and elegant.

Last Updated: 29 September 2022