M&S Menswear How we have clothed men since the 1920s - from basic work-wear to the latest fabric innovations 1920s We introduced clothing ranges in the 1920s and initially provided inexpensive clothing for working class men. Other examples of our early men s products were pyjamas, dressing gowns and knitted swimsuits. Store window displaying men s pyjamas, 1930s 1930s We continued to provide accessible, ready-made, yet high quality garments for men. Our shirt and tie sets made very useful Christmas gifts! Christmas window display, 1930s Christmas window display, 1930s 1940s We produced men s shirts under the Utility Clothing Scheme which carried the CC41 label. CC41 St. Michael Shirt
1950s Our shirts were made using man-made fibres and natural blends. Nylon was introduced into men s shirts, as it was no longer required for military use. Shirt and knitted tie, 1950s 1950s Over 99% of our goods were British made, including Sports Shirts and trousers made from Terylene Polyester Fibre with Wool Worsted. Display of men s shirts and trousers in a store window, 1950s 1957 Men s shirts include drip-dry woven check poplin. Display of drip-dry shirts, c. 1955 1965 Drip dry minimum iron cotton poplin shirts introduced. Men s shirt advert, 1966
1970 Italian designer Angelo Vittucci was employed as a consultant to the menswear group from 1970. 1970s Shirts were available in various fabrics including knitted Crimplene, nylon, and Dacron and Cotton blend. Short sleeve shirt, 1971 1972 Our suit department was established. By 1974 trousers, jackets and blazers were available to buy in over 100 stores. Brown suit, 1972 1972 Our first visual merchandising campaign and theme targeting men was launched - it was called the 'Marksman. Marksman visual merchandising
Early 1980s We introduce men s formal separates, which is made possible by a breakthrough of colour dye technology. For the first time we could guarantee that the fabric colours would match without having to buy a complete suit cut from exactly the same batch of fabric. Men s suits, St Michael News, 1974 1983 There was a large expansion of suit ranges across stores and M&S suit sales increased by 40% in this year. 1984 Instrumental Colour Systems and M&S were awarded the Queen s Award for Technology for the development of colour standardisation technology. 1987 Colour matching equipment The first machine washable suit was introduced - a vinyl coated cotton suit! 1990s Italian collection introduced. This was a major overhaul of men s suits. M&S selectors worked closely with suppliers in both Britain and Italy on design and tailoring. Fabrics used were sourced from Marzotto, a supplier for designers such as Giorgio Armani and Gianfranco Ferre. St Michael News, 1991
1996 We began to use a Teflon coating on our clothing to act as a water repellent and stain resistant treatment. This was later to be known as Stormwear TM. 1999 Launch of the Sartorial suiting range designed by tailor Timothy Everest. Men s suits, 2001 2001 Further innovation results in the introduction of the machine washable suit. We go on to win the Queen s Award for Innovation in 2003 for this invention. Queen s Award for Enterprise: Innovation certificate, 2003 2002 We launched two new menswear brands including Blue Harbour (a casual clothing range featuring popular casual classics such as polo shirts, chinos and cotton shirts), and Collezione inspired by continental style. Collezione and Blue Harbour sub-brands
2002 Men s crease resistant travel suit introduced (the Urban Survival suit) 2007 We became the official suit supplier for the English national football team and under 21s team. The suits were designed by Timothy Everest. England football suit, Your M&S Magazine, June/July 2007 2011 Re-launch of Sartorial, working this time with modernist Savile Row tailor Richard James, as the Savile Row Inspired collection. Sartorial blazer, 2011 2011 We launched a range of sweat-free shirts called The Dry Extreme Shirt. The range was the first of its kind on the high street. Press release, M&S Launches the Sweat-Free Shirt for Men, 27 March 2011
2012 StayNEW TM technology was launched in men s t-shirts. The innovation ensures that fabric contains its original texture and colour for longer. 2012 In 2012 we provided the official suit for the England team during the UEFA European Championship. England Euro 2012 suit 2013 We launched Best of British range - high quality British design and manufacture featuring men s tweeds, woollen jumpers and formal suits. Best of British collection, 2013
2014 We provided the Official Suit to the England Football Team for the 2014 World Cup. The suit was made using mid grey wool-and-mohair from our long-time British fabric mill partner, Alfred Brown, who are based in Yorkshire. England World Cup 2014 suit