You may not have seen or heard of them yet, but Stanley Biggs is a relatively new brand on the block and one that we have quite a bit of time for…
Built on the foundations of a great knowledge and understanding of vintage products, the brand was founded by Sophie Bainbridge in Nottinghamshire in 2019. Capturing a pure British warmness based on the sartorial and charming presentation of men in the 1930s, Stanley Biggs then fuses that with an additional twist for the modern man.
“The decision to create Stanley Biggs is based on a love of re-purposing and being a collector of vintage artefacts,” says Bainbridge, who has been into the vintage scene since the tender age of 15.
The name Stanley Biggs comes from a real serviceman who died from war wounds in 1944 following the battle of Arnhem and acts as the perfect inspiration for this cleverly constructed brand. Effortless, whimsical British character oozes through for easy-to-wear garments, including chunky knitwear, roll-necks, rugby shirts, high-waisted wool trousers, scarves, caps and leather boots.
“There’s no mistaking we are a proud heritage brand,” adds Bainbridge, “But we have been clear in our direction of producing garments that can be worn everyday, for a multitude of purposes and I suppose enjoying men dressing better and in a more considered way.”
Using fabrics woven in Britain and particularly in the north Midlands and Yorkshire, Stanley Biggs harks back to a bygone era, but captures that vintage look that is so popular today, driven by a deep love of authentic fabrics and vintage garments. The collection, enhanced by names such as Shackleton, Lawrence, Cavendish and Arthur.
“We have a huge collection of vintage military jackets that we use for inspiration and of course with our knowledge around the subject, we are able to accurately re-create and re-imagine pieces that you will see within the collection, but with an interpretation bespoke to Stanley Biggs,” says Bainbridge.
Indeed, thicker cuffs at the hem and an attractive playfulness around colour-ways that stay true to the product are key features of the Biggs style. Classic British wool is the stand-out fabric, which has also set the tone for much of the brand’s presentation.
“I must stress that we make our products in England because, put simply, it is in Britain where the best wool craftsmanship can be found in our opinion,” adds Bainbridge. “And because the fabric is so pure, it actually governs what you can and cannot do with it, especially in terms of colour.”
Inspired by the journey of a product from field to garment and the regional & international path it takes, Stanley Biggs is a brand that adheres, by complete organic process, to the new-wave of ‘buying better and buying less’ or perhaps more accurately ‘intelligent purchasing’.
“I’m still mesmerised by seeing the final product, fully branded and knowing the journey it has travelled – our merino wool products, such as our scarves, start their life in New Zealand,” says Bainbridge. “We are a brand that uses wool as one of our main fabrics, which is of course a natural fibre and biodegradable and also now a fully fledged signed up supporter of the Campaign for Wool, so quite naturally we are aligned to the new/ancient industry’s way of thinking about products.”
In fact, the Stanley Biggs brand goes a little further…all packaging is fully biodegradable with wrapping-paper made from vegetable ink and buttons are made from Corozo (from the Tagua seed from a tropical palm plant) – a clear presentation of the brand’s intention to create a healthier footprint – and with the buttons also made in England, the trousers are 100% British Made in every sense.
“In essence, the aim of Stanley Biggs is to create a really strong, considered brand that cultivates a genuine following,” adds Bainbridge “We have a distinct aesthetic, an understated elegance that is not exclusive to one type of customer. We actively want to see customers find and enhance their image with the Stanley Biggs range, whatever that identity might be.”
