Okay, so here’s something that might make me sound like a total fashion fraud – I’ve never owned a single piece from Burberry. Not even a keychain. I mean, I’m this person who writes about fashion and style, trying to help other moms figure out how to look decent while chasing toddlers around Target, and I’ve somehow completely bypassed what’s probably Britain’s most famous luxury brand.
It’s not that I have anything against Burberry – honestly, their stuff is gorgeous. Those trench coats? *Chef’s kiss.* That check pattern that everyone recognizes instantly? Iconic. But here’s the thing – whenever I’ve managed to scrape together enough money for what my husband calls a “fancy purchase” (which, let’s be real, happens maybe once a year if I’m lucky), I always find myself drawn to these other British brands that nobody really talks about but are just as amazing.
This whole obsession started with a bag, because doesn’t it always? My mom gave me this old Mulberry satchel that belonged to my grandmother – one of those structured bags from the 1960s that looked absolutely ancient compared to the trendy bags I was coveting in my twenties. I remember thinking it was kind of ugly, honestly. The leather was all worn and darkened, the corners were scuffed, and it definitely didn’t scream “cool young professional trying to make it in Minneapolis PR.”
But you know what? After carrying it for a few months, I started getting compliments left and right. People kept asking where I found such an incredible vintage piece. And slowly I began to understand what my grandmother knew all along – this bag wasn’t just old, it was *quality* old. The stitching was still perfect after forty-plus years. The leather had developed this beautiful patina that you can’t fake. It had character in a way that my other bags, even the expensive ones, just didn’t.
That bag basically sent me down this rabbit hole of British heritage brands, and I’ve been obsessed ever since. My husband thinks I’m nuts – he’s like “why spend $400 on a sweater when you can get one at Target for $25?” But then he sees me wearing that $400 sweater for the third winter in a row, looking exactly as good as the day I bought it, while my Target sweaters have become cleaning rags, and he kind of gets it.
So let me tell you about the brands I actually spend my money on instead of Burberry, because I think they deserve way more love than they get.
First up – Mulberry, obviously, since they’re the ones who started this whole thing for me. They’ve been making leather goods in Somerset since 1971, and their bags are just incredible. Everyone knows about the famous styles like the Alexa, but I’m obsessed with some of their less trendy pieces. I saved up for an Amberley bag two years ago (had to eat packed lunches for like three months to justify it), and it’s hands down the best everyday bag I’ve ever owned. It’s structured enough that I don’t look like a total mess at school pickup, but the shoulder strap is so comfortable I can carry it all day without my shoulder aching. Trust me, when you’re hauling around snacks, water bottles, spare clothes, and approximately seventeen tiny toys, strap comfort is not optional.
What really sold me on Mulberry is their whole approach to craftsmanship. I watched this video once of their artisans hand-stitching handles, and it was like watching art being made. These people have skills that take decades to develop, and it shows in every bag they make. When my Amberley gets scuffed or worn, I know Mulberry will repair it rather than me having to throw it away and start over.
For coats – and living in Minnesota, coats are basically a survival necessity – I’m completely devoted to Barbour. They’ve been making waxed jackets since 1894, which means they’ve had plenty of time to perfect the whole “keeping British people dry” thing. I bought a Barbour Beadnell about four years ago, right before my second pregnancy, and it’s been through everything with me. Playground duty in the rain, soccer practice sidelines, trips to the pumpkin patch where I inevitably end up carrying a twenty-pound toddler while dragging a wagon full of gourds.
The amazing thing about this jacket is how it’s aged. The wax has worn in places to create this patina that’s unique to how I wear it. The corduroy collar has gotten softer and more comfortable. It literally looks better now than when I bought it, which is the opposite of basically everything else in my closet. Plus, Barbour will rewax and repair their jackets, so theoretically I could be wearing this same coat when my kids graduate from high school. My friend’s dad has a Barbour that’s older than both of us, and he still wears it to walk their dog every morning. Try getting that kind of longevity from anything you’d find at the mall.
Now, if you want to talk about an investment that seemed completely insane at the time but has totally paid off, let’s discuss my Johnstons of Elgin cashmere sweater. This company has been making knitwear in Scotland since 1797 – like, they were making sweaters when people were still getting around in horse-drawn carriages. I bought one of their cashmere pullovers three years ago after getting a small bonus at work, and I’m not exaggerating when I say I ate peanut butter sandwiches for lunch every day that month to justify the expense.
But here’s the thing – I wear this sweater constantly from October through April, and it still looks brand new. No pilling, no stretching, no weird fading from all the times I’ve had to spot-clean mystery stains off it. When you calculate cost-per-wear, it’s probably the most economical thing I own. I’ve recommended Johnstons scarves to other moms as gifts for teachers or their own mothers, because the quality is so obvious that even people who don’t care about fashion can feel the difference immediately.
For shoes, I have to mention Tricker’s, even though I personally live in sneakers and ankle boots 90% of the time because, you know, chasing small children. But I bought my husband a pair of their Stow boots for his birthday two years ago, and they’ve basically become his most prized possession. He wears them to work, to dinner, to any occasion where he needs to look like a functioning adult. They took forever to break in – I heard a lot of complaining about blisters during the first few weeks – but now they fit him perfectly and look even better than when they were new.
The thing about heritage shoe brands like Tricker’s is they’re made to last literally decades. These aren’t shoes you’ll replace in two years because they’ve fallen apart. My husband’s boots look like something our kids might inherit someday, which is kind of a wild concept when you’re used to buying shoes that barely survive a single season.
If you prefer something more formal, Church’s makes incredible dress shoes that I see on fashion editors all the time. Their women’s brogues have this cult following among people who know their stuff, and they’re often paired with unexpected modern pieces to avoid looking too traditional. I don’t have the lifestyle for formal shoes anymore, but I appreciate them from an aesthetic standpoint.
For basics – and as a mom, my entire wardrobe is basically elevated basics – Sunspel is worth every penny. They’ve been making luxury t-shirts and underwear since 1860, which means they’ve had plenty of time to figure out how to make a white t-shirt that doesn’t look sad and gray after three washes. A stylist friend finally convinced me to try their sea island cotton tees after watching me cycle through countless cheap white t-shirts that would stretch out and lose their shape immediately.
I spent $75 on a single white t-shirt, which felt absolutely ridiculous at the time. But that was three years ago, and I’m still wearing it regularly. It hasn’t stretched, hasn’t yellowed, hasn’t developed that weird bacon-neck thing that happens to cheaper tees. When you’re a mom whose uniform is basically jeans and a white t-shirt, having one really good white t-shirt makes a huge difference in how put-together you look.
For accessories beyond bags, Smythson has been making beautiful leather goods and stationery since 1887. I treated myself to one of their notebooks when I started my blog, because I figured if I was going to take this whole content creation thing seriously, I should at least look professional while scribbling down ideas. There’s something about writing in a Smythson notebook with their signature blue pages that makes even my random thoughts about mom fashion feel important. Their small leather goods make incredible gifts too – I’ve given their card holders to friends, and they always get used rather than shoved in a drawer somewhere.
Look, I’m not going to pretend any of this stuff is accessible price-wise. These are serious investments that require planning and saving, which isn’t always realistic when you’re dealing with daycare costs and grocery bills and all the other expenses that come with having kids. But my approach has always been to save up for one really exceptional piece rather than buying five mediocre ones that I’ll need to replace in a year or two.
It’s taken discipline – not exactly my strong suit, especially when Target has cute sweaters for $20 – but I’ve slowly built a collection of heritage pieces that form the foundation of my wardrobe. These are the items I reach for when I need to look presentable for school events, when I’m meeting other bloggers, when I just want to feel like myself rather than someone who’s completely given up on looking decent.
What I love about all these British heritage brands is they don’t need constant reinvention or celebrity endorsements to stay relevant. They make beautiful, functional things that work beautifully and last practically forever. In a world where fast fashion dominates and everything feels disposable, there’s something really appealing about owning pieces with genuine history and craftsmanship behind them.
Sure, I still admire Burberry from afar, and maybe someday I’ll finally invest in one of their iconic trench coats. But for now, I’m perfectly happy championing these other incredible British brands that deserve just as much recognition. They represent a level of quality and attention to detail that feels increasingly rare, plus there’s something satisfying about wearing something that makes people ask “where did you get that?” rather than being instantly recognizable.
In fashion, just like in parenting, sometimes the road less traveled leads to the most interesting discoveries. And honestly, my kids think all my clothes are “fancy” regardless of the label, so I might as well invest in pieces that will still look good when they’re old enough to borrow them.
Claire started Claire Wears to bridge the gap between fashion media and real life. Based in Chicago, she writes with honesty, humor, and a firm “no” to $300 “affordable” shoes. Expect practical advice, strong opinions, and the occasional rant about ridiculous trends.
