Charles Tyrwhitt teams up with England Rugby for formalwear and other products

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Sep 14, 2020

Menswear specialist Charles Tyrwhitt has become the official formalwear partner for England Rugby in a four-year deal that starts this month.

It means the brand will collaborate with England Rugby to tailor an exclusive collection of bespoke formalwear to dress the men’s and women’s senior squads, through to the Under 20s/18s teams, plus team management and RFU staff. 

The partnership will also give Charles Tyrwhitt access to exclusive match-day rights and digital content, “which will bring rugby into the label’s conversations with their customers and also expand its base among fans of the sport”.

Given that the company doesn’t operate in the womenswear sector, it has “drawn on the expertise of ‘sister’ business The White Company to supply bespoke formalwear for the women’s team”.

The company said that all players from the England senior squad “will be wearing the perfect made-to-measure formalwear outfit”. Due to lockdown restrictions the first fittings took place over video calls, “testing the team’s tape-measuring skills and the tailor’s expert knowledge, and building a trust between player and tailor”. 

The brand also said it will “help broaden the England team’s wardrobe options from formalwear to business casual looks, and will always be on hand supporting the team on and off the pitch”.

Highlights from this custom-made range will include a merino wool suit with a burgundy lining, which will be paired with a white twill shirt and an Italian wool silk pocket square emblazoned with the England Rose”.

As well as the formal pieces, the company will create “timeless casualwear” and gifting licensed collections featuring the rose, plus a limited-edition heritage line to celebrate the RFU’s 150th anniversary in 2021. 

The initial collection will be available in selected stores, including the retailer’s Jermyn Street flagship and it webstore from November.

Brand founder Nick Wheeler said that “there are many rugby fans among our team and customers, and we have always had a strong connection with rugby having dressed many of the best international legends over the years”.