Menswear Timeline

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.
Colour matching equipment
1987
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 StormwearTM.
1999
Launch of the Sartorial suiting range
designed by tailor Timothy Everest.
2001
Men’s suits, 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
StayNEWTM 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