For decades, the concept of English tailoring felt extremely rigid, but Drake's managed to completely rewrite the rulebook on modern haberdashery. Michael Drake originally launched the business in East London back in 1977, focusing purely on men's scarves before expanding into the handmade ties and pocket squares that would make the label famous. Today, under the creative direction of Michael Hill, the brand has grown into a full wardrobe powerhouse that champions a philosophy of "relaxed elegance." They seamlessly blend the soft, unstructured tailoring of Italy with the rugged textures of British knitwear and classic Ivy League sportswear. Refusing to take classic menswear too seriously, their styling often pairs heavy tweed jackets with faded selvedge denim, or brightly patterned silk ties with casual chore coats. Blurring the lines between high-end sartorial tradition and everyday wear, the historic company remains proudly headquartered in London, England.

What truly separates them from other modern tailoring brands is their fierce commitment to physical manufacturing. They still operate their own dedicated tie factory in London's East End, meticulously crafting neckwear by hand just as they did in the seventies. In 2013, they acquired a historic shirtmaking facility in Chard, Somerset, ensuring that all their iconic Oxford button-downs are genuinely cut and sewn in England using single-needle stitching. While their core shirting and neckwear remain strictly British-made, they are highly transparent about partnering with specialized artisans across Europe for the rest of their catalog. Their soft tailoring and jackets are expertly crafted in Italy, while their legendary heavy wool knitwear is produced in Scotland.