For more than a century, Budd Shirts has stood as one of London’s most cherished shirtmakers, a name synonymous with quality, tradition and understated elegance. Founded in 1910 by Harold Budd, this iconic British brand has remained true to its heritage while quietly shaping the wardrobe of gentlemen who value exceptional craft and authentic style.
The Roots of a Classic
From its earliest days, Budd established itself in the heart of Mayfair’s Piccadilly Arcade, a location it still calls home today. Even after the wartime Blitz, when many businesses were forced to relocate, Budd returned - buying the only premises in the Arcade that survived - and has remained ever since, making it one of the oldest continuous tenants in this historic London passageway.
The Arcade isn’t merely the brand’s address - it represents Budd’s commitment to preserving sartorial tradition. In an age of mass manufacturing and fleeting trends, Budd has kept its course. Instead, our shirts are hand-cut using traditional shears, not band knives, and many elements of the making process are still crafted by a single shirtmaker from start to finish.
Bespoke Beginnings and Bespoke Standards
At the core of Budd’s reputation lies its heritage. Originally focused exclusively on bespoke shirts for discerning clients, the brand built its expertise one garment at a time. This legacy of precision and personal service still informs how Budd approaches every shirt it produces - whether bespoke, made to measure, or ready-to-wear.
This focus on individuality ensures that a Budd shirt isn’t just sewn together - it’s thoughtfully constructed. Hand-set sleeves, hand-finished collars and carefully applied mother-of-pearl buttons all contribute to a garment that wears exceptionally well, proving that craftsmanship is not simply about how something looks, but how it feels, lasts, and evolves with the wearer.
While Budd's Piccadilly shop is world-renowned for its bespoke service, our Made to Measure (MTM/custom made) program serves as a convenient and exacting compromise between the simplicity of ready-to-wear and the artisanal precision of bespoke. Our shirts are recognised for their "Budd look" - characterised by the stand and elegance of the collar roll and meticulous attention to proportion - that has been preserved and pioneered by multiple generations of master cutters. Unlike modern mass-market operations, Budd’s made to measure shirts are still a time-rich, work of art. They are not outsourced, but crafted in-house. Shirts are still hand-cut and composed using our unique patterns and constructed in the same workshop and with the same techniques as our bespoke shirts, maintaining a lineage of English needlework that has dressed royalty, titans of industry, and style icons for over a century.
Tradition Meets Today
While Budd is steeped in history, today's ready-to-wear shirs reflect changing and evolved fits - classic, tailored, and slim - catering to contemporary tastes and varied silhouettes. Shirts are crafted with cloths from some of the finest mills in Italy, Switzerland, and the UK, further reinforcing Budd’s commitment to quality materials.
Budd’s range extends beyond shirts, too: from knitwear and accessories to dressing gowns and nightwear, each piece reflects the same dedication to quality that has defined the brand for over 115 years.
Legacy and Quiet Influence
One of the most remarkable things about Budd is how quietly influential it is. This is a brand rarely chasing the spotlight, yet one that has left its mark on the world of menswear. Its style and standards helped shape what many consider the quintessential English shirt, and its name has appeared in cultural touchstones - such as being referenced in the early 20th-century Gershwin musical, La La Lucille. Budd is regularly featured in menswear guides and the press, as well as being the go-to shirtmaker of choice for stylists and costume designers, working both on and off screen.
Today, Budd remains a destination for those who understand that true style is more than a trend - it’s a legacy of craft, continuity, and character. Whether you’re drawn to its bespoke, made to measure or ready-to-wear pieces, each made with heart, Budd offers garments that feel as timeless as the streets of Mayfair themselves.
