Top 10 Clothing Brands In The UK (2026)– Most Popular Fashion Labels
People in the UK love fashion, but with so many brands available, from luxury designers to affordable high-street labels, it can be difficult to know which clothing brands are really worth your money. In this guide, I highlight the top clothing brands in the UK right now, based on popularity, quality, price, and real-world customer experience.
Whether you are looking for casual wear, streetwear, designer outfits, or budget-friendly fashion, this list will help you discover the best clothing brands in the UK for your style and budget.
International buyers looking to buy clothing from the UK but still finding it difficult to locate the best brands: this article is a guide for you.
Top 10 Clothing Brands In The UK:
As of today, the UK clothing market is defined by a mix of the "Big Five" high-street giants, heritage luxury houses, and rapidly growing digital-first retailers.
Based on recent market share, brand awareness, and sales performance, here are the top 10 clothing brands in the UK for both men and women. These are widely recognized for quality, heritage, style, and trustworthiness:
1. Burberry:
Burberry is perhaps the most globally recognized British fashion house, famous for its classic trench coats, signature check pattern, and high-end ready-to-wear. It has a 170-year legacy in craftsmanship and innovation, blending heritage with contemporary collections. Recent efforts to revive core heritage pieces have strengthened its appeal worldwide.
They are a long, consistent heritage of quality and cultural influence; a go-to for timeless outerwear and sophisticated staples.
A Burberry trench coat isn't a "three-year" item. Because they are made from high-density gabardine (a fabric Burberry actually invented), they are incredibly resistant to wear and tear.
For example, if a coat costs £1,800 but lasts 20 years, it costs £90 per year. That is often cheaper than buying a "fast-fashion" coat every year for two decades.
2. Barbour:
Barbour is a British clothing brand founded in 1894 in South Shields, England. It is best known for waxed cotton jackets, quilted jackets, country and outdoor clothing, durable knitwear, and boots.
Barbour clothes were originally designed for farmers, sailors, and countryside workers, so they are made to be strong, weather-resistant, and long-lasting. Today the brand is worn by everyone, including students, commuters, outdoor workers, and even the British Royal Family.
Barbour is considered “one of the best” on these grounds because:
i. It is over 130 years old, and a brand does not survive that long unless:
- Customers trust it
- Quality is consistent
- Reputation is strong
ii. Barbour jackets are durable and can last 10–20 years and sometimes even longer, and the company even repairs and rewaxes old jackets.
iii. Their clothes are made for rain, wind, farms, travel, and the countryside since they are water-resistant, warm, practical (pockets, tough fabric) and comfortable for outdoor life
iv. Barbour jackets have looked roughly the same for decades, meaning they don’t go out of fashion. This is why many people say Barbour is “one of the best,” especially for outerwear.
You can find Barbour clothing on the Official Barbour Website, outdoor clothing shops, or in online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay.
3. Marks & Spencer (M&S):
M&S is one of the UK’s most trusted high-street brands, known for quality, fit, and value across men’s and women’s clothing, from workwear to casual staples.
Marks & Spencer (M&S) clothing is highly regarded because it combines reliable quality with good value for everyday wear. For decades, M&S has focused on well-made essentials: workwear, casual outfits, underwear, and outerwear that fit well, wash well, and last.
This consistency in fabrics, stitching, and sizing has built strong customer trust across generations. The brand also offers inclusive size ranges and practical designs, making it easy for many different body types and ages to find comfortable, wearable clothes.
People also choose M&S because it’s widely accessible and dependable. With many physical stores and an easy online shopping and returns system, customers can confidently try, buy, and exchange items. It isn’t luxury fashion, but it delivers solid quality at fair prices, making it a preferred choice for everyday wardrobes.
Their clothes are widely worn across age groups and known for reliable fabrics, consistent sizing, and good customer service. Here are some reviews on Reddit.
4. Next (High-Street Style and Versatility):
Next is widely considered similar to Amazon in the UK. While it started as a traditional high-street tailor in the 1800s, it has evolved into a massive retail technology powerhouse.
In 2026, it is one of the UK's most successful fashion retailers, largely because it doesn't just sell its own clothes but also runs the websites and delivery networks for hundreds of other brands like Reiss, Gap, and Victoria’s Secret.
Next is the gold standard for UK delivery. They offer next-day delivery for orders placed as late as 11 pm or midnight in many areas.
Their website is considered a one-stop shop. You can buy a Next t-shirt, a pair of Nike trainers, and a Reiss dress all in one basket and have them arrive the next morning.
While they aren't "high fashion," they are incredibly reliable for high-quality basics, children's clothes (where they are the market leader), and workwear.
With over 450 stores, they make the "bricks and clicks" experience seamless. You can order online and pick up or return in-store for free, usually within hours.
Returns and Refunds Policy (2026)
Next has one of the most efficient return systems in the country. Here is how it works:
1. The Timeframe:
- Standard Items: You have 28 days from the date of delivery (or store collection) to return unwanted items for a full refund.
- Late Returns: If you return items after the 28-day window, Next will usually issue an eVoucher instead of a refund to your original payment method.
- Sale Items: Items bought in a clearance sale often have a shorter return window (usually 7 days if bought in-store).
Note: For hygiene reasons, certain items like pierced jewelry, cosmetics, and some grooming products cannot be returned once opened.
Next combines trend-aware fashion with solid basics at approachable prices and a strong online presence.
5. Primark:
Primark is a budget fashion store where you can buy trendy and everyday clothes at very low prices, just like Temu.
Compared to most high-street brands, Primark offers clothing, footwear, and accessories at prices that are often 30–60% cheaper. This makes fashion accessible to students, families, low- and middle-income earners, and anyone trying to manage a tight budget.
You can buy a full outfit (top, trousers, underwear, and even shoes) for the price of a single item at many competitors.
Primark has:
- Large stores in almost every major UK city
- Prime locations in city centres and malls
- Easy access via public transport
For many people in the UK, Primark is the most accessible fashion retailer, especially compared to luxury or boutique brands.
6. ASOS:
ASOS (originally an acronym for AsSeenOnScreen) is a British online-only fashion and cosmetic giant. Founded in London in 2000, it was originally a site where people could buy clothes they saw on celebrities or in movies (like Brad Pitt’s jacket in Fight Club).
Today, it is a global powerhouse that stocks over 850 brands, including its own massive "ASOS Design" label and famous names like Topshop, Adidas, and Nike.
ASOS dominates the UK market because it pioneered several features that are now industry standards:
a. The "Catwalk" Video Experience
ASOS was one of the first retailers to provide a video of every model walking in the clothes. This solved the biggest problem with online shopping—not knowing how the fabric moves or how the item looks from different angles—reducing the "expectation vs. reality" disappointment.
b. Specialized "Fit" Ranges
One of ASOS’s greatest strengths is inclusivity. They offer extensive dedicated lines that other retailers often ignore:
- ASOS Tall & ASOS Petite: For specific heights.
- ASOS Curve: For plus-size fashion.
- ASOS Maternity: Trend-led clothes for pregnancy.
c. ASOS Premier Delivery
For a small annual fee (usually around £9.95), customers get unlimited next-day delivery with no minimum spend. In the UK, where shoppers expect speed, this "Amazon Prime for Fashion" model created massive brand loyalty.
d. The "Style Match" AI Tool
Their app features a visual search tool. You can upload a screenshot of an outfit you like from Instagram or a magazine, and their AI will scan their 85,000+ products to find the closest matches.
Beyond new clothes, they host a "Marketplace" where independent boutiques and vintage sellers trade. This gives the site a "cool" factor, allowing shoppers to find unique 90s vintage pieces alongside brand-new trainers.
ASOS is currently undergoing a "brand relaunch." While it remains a top destination, it is facing stiff competition from ultra-fast fashion brands like Shein and "investment" brands.
To stay on top, they have recently introduced AI Stylists (using ChatGPT-like tech to help you build outfits) and physical pop-up shops in cities like London and New York to give customers a chance to see the clothes in person.
7. Paul Smith:
Paul Smith blends traditional British tailoring with playful, colourful details. The menswear and womenswear collections are perfect for someone who wants smart outfits with personality.
8. JD Sports:
JD Sports is a British multinational retailer that has earned the title "King of Trainers" by dominating the UK’s sports-fashion market. Founded in 1981 in Bury, Greater Manchester, it has grown from a single shop into a global powerhouse with over 4,500 stores.
Unlike traditional sports shops that focus on equipment, JD focuses on "athleisure" and streetwear, positioning itself as a premium lifestyle destination for the latest fashion-led athletic gear.
What truly sets JD Sports apart is its status as a "brand first" retailer with deep connections to youth culture. They are famous for securing "JD Exclusives"—unique colorways and designs from giants like Nike and Adidas that cannot be bought anywhere else.
9. George (Asda):
George is the dedicated fashion label for the British supermarket giant Asda. Launched in 1989 by George Davies (the founder of Next), it was the first "supermarket fashion" brand in the UK.
It was created to give shoppers a way to buy high-street style clothes at the same time they were buying their groceries, essentially inventing the concept of affordable, trend-led clothing in a grocery aisle.
For millions of UK families, George is "the best" because it offers an unbeatable balance of value and durability. It is particularly famous for its school uniform range, which is consistently ranked as one of the most rugged and affordable in the country.
Because they operate at such high volumes, they can keep prices significantly lower than dedicated high-street shops like Zara or H&M, without sacrificing modern design.
10. TK Maxx:
TK Maxx is the UK’s leading "off-price" retailer, specializing in selling big-name designer brands at significantly discounted prices. It is the European branch of the American giant TJ Maxx (renamed in the UK to avoid confusion with the retailer T.J. Hughes).
Unlike a typical department store, TK Maxx doesn’t buy seasonally; its buyers are constantly "on the hunt" for stock from over 10,000 vendors, snapping up overstocks, clearance lines, and designer cancellations to pass the savings on to you.
Beyond just clothing, the brand is highly regarded for its HomeSense section (often a standalone store or a dedicated floor), which sells eclectic homeware, and its impressive beauty aisle featuring premium skincare and fragrances.
Why Are These Brands Trusted?
These brands are trusted best on the following reasons:
- Heritage & craftsmanship: Names like Burberry, Barbour and Paul Smith have decades (or centuries) of history and have stood the test of time.
- Consistent quality: High-street staples and premium labels alike are known for good fabrics, construction, and sizing standards.]
- Cultural relevance: Many British brands carry cultural significance (e.g., Fred Perry and mod culture, Dr. Martens and subcultures).
- Widespread popularity: Rankings and surveys show many of these brands as favourites among UK shoppers.
Best Affordable Clothing Brands In The UK:
Primark remains the heavy-hitter for sheer volume and the lowest possible price points. In 2026, they have significantly expanded their "Primark Cares" initiative, offering more organic cotton and recycled materials while keeping prices under £10-£15 for most staples.
This is very good for trendy "one-season" pieces, pajamas, and affordable activewear.
Best UK Streetwear Brands:
British streetwear has shifted from a niche subculture to a dominant global force. In 2026, the "best" brands are characterized by a mix of high-fashion luxury, "roadman" aesthetics, and independent labels that use limited "drops" to build massive hype.
Here are the top UK streetwear brands currently defining the scene:
1. Corteiz (RTW):
Founded in 2017 by Clint 419, Corteiz is arguably the most influential streetwear brand in the UK right now. Known for its Alcatraz logo and "Rules Alway Apply" motto, the brand refuses traditional marketing, instead using secret locations and social media coordinates for drops. It has successfully moved from underground "roadman" gear to global stardom, cemented by major collaborations with brands like Nike.
2. Palace Skateboards:
If the US has Supreme, the UK has Palace. Born out of the London skate scene in 2009, Palace is famous for its "Tri-Ferg" logo and tongue-in-cheek product descriptions. While it remains a true skate brand, its high-fashion collaborations (such as with Gucci and Adidas) have made it a permanent fixture in the luxury streetwear world.
3. Represent:
Started by brothers George and Mike Heaton, Represent has evolved into a "luxury streetwear" powerhouse. They are best known for their "Owners' Club" hoodies and high-quality "blank" basics. Their aesthetic is more refined than gritty, focusing on heavy fabrics, distressed denim, and a minimalist color palette that appeals to those who want a "cleaner" street look.
4. Trapstar:
A true pioneer of the "London look," Trapstar began as a brand sold from the back of a car and grew into a global label worn by celebrities like Rihanna and Jay-Z. They specialize in bold graphic tees, "Irongate" puffer jackets, and tracksuits. It remains the definitive brand for the UK urban and drill music scenes.
5. Broken Planet:
Founded during the 2020 lockdowns, Broken Planet has seen a meteoric rise due to its focus on sustainability and distinctive "outer space" graphics. Their oversized hoodies with puff-print designs are highly collectible, and they are frequently cited as one of the most successful independent "Gen Z" brands in the country.
Conclusion:
The Top 10 Clothing Brands in the UK reflect the diversity and strength of the British fashion market. Together, they cover luxury, high-street, fast fashion, and athleisure, ensuring there is something for every budget, lifestyle, and age group. From heritage brands like Burberry and Marks & Spencer to modern powerhouses such as Primark, ASOS, etc, these brands have earned their place through consistency, relevance, and strong consumer trust.
Also note that the best clothing brands in the UK are not defined by luxury alone or low prices alone, but by their ability to meet real consumer needs consistently. Whether someone prioritises affordability, durability, trendiness, or prestige, the UK’s top clothing brands collectively deliver choice, quality, and reliability.
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