Whilst Budd’s historic Piccadilly shop and onsite cutting room are often the public face of the company, it is behind the unassuming doors of our Andover workroom that the heart of Budd truly beats. This is where cloth becomes clothing, where patterns become precision, and where century-old traditions are kept alive by skilled hands.
The Home of Budd’s Ready to Wear and Made to Measure
Every Budd ready to wear and made to measure shirt begins its life in Andover. Lengths of shirting fabric arrive from some of the world’s finest mills, and from the outset the process is rooted in accuracy and respect for the material. Patterns are laid out with a quiet deliberateness, ensuring optimal alignment, minimal waste, and the distinctive Budd proportions that have earned a loyal following over the years.
Shirts are hand cut by our dedicated and experienced cutter Lara, who brings a blend of old-school technique and modern efficiency to the table. Whether it’s a classic poplin dress shirt or a more contemporary linen, every part is shaped here, every collar precisely measured, every cuff prepared.
For made to measure orders, the process becomes even more intimate. Each client’s block, fit measurement and style details carefully plotted and cut out ad a relationship between the cutter and customer formed.
Where Bespoke Comes Together
Bespoke shirts may begin in the cutting room at Budd’s Piccadilly shop, but once that unique pattern has been drawn, cut and assessed, its journey continues in Andover and the transformation begins.
A bespoke shirt at Budd is never rushed. Our cutters’ notes, patterns and cut cloth tell our team more than just the customer’s styling details – they provide information on how a shirt will be worn, lived in, and appreciated. This understanding informs every decision: the choice of interlining, the amount of shrinkage allowed, the size of the armhole. By the time a shirt is complete, it carries the unmistakable hallmarks of craftsmanship that machines alone could never replicate.
A Workshop Rooted in Tradition—and Built for the Future
What makes Budd’s Andover workrooms special is not just the quality of its output, but the continuity that it represents and camaraderie amongst its team. For a brand that has served generations of customers, the preservation of skill is essential. New craftspeople are trained by our seasoned experts, ensuring that the subtle art of British shirtmaking remains alive and well. Team members like Di, Gwen, Clare and Karen (50, 49 and 14 and 13 years of service respectively) are as reassuringly present as our house stripe! We love that they pass on their skills and knowledge, but we also love the enduring friendships between generations that develop, the laughter that prevails and the gentle whirr of machines and chatter that is distinctly Budd.
