Alfred Brown: A Century of British Cloth
Founded in 1915 in Bramley, Leeds, Alfred Brown is one of Britain’s most distinguished woollen mills. Established by Herbert Brown and later guided by his son Alfred, the mill has remained proudly family-owned for over a century - with generations of expertise woven into every length of cloth that leaves it’s looms. Renowned for producing fabrics of exceptional character, durability and refinement, Alfred Brown continues to set the benchmark for British tailoring cloth.
Alfred Brown’s early years were shaped by service and necessity. During the Second World War, the mill produced cloth for British Army, RAF and Royal Navy uniforms, where durability and performance were non-negotiable. In the decades that followed, the business expanded beyond Yorkshire, developing a loyal private clientele in London and opening its first Regent Street office in 1956.
Today, Alfred Brown’s cloths are worn across the world - from the cutting rooms of exclusive tailoring houses to ceremonial and sporting stages of international significance. The mill has supplied suiting for the England Football World Cup teams since 2010, the Great Britain Olympic team, and the British & Irish Lions rugby team, as well as creating fabrics for film costume, including the Harry Potter series. Despite this global reach, production remains rooted in Yorkshire, guided by the same principles of craftsmanship that defined its beginnings.
The Cloth for Our Eaton Suits
Three of our best-selling core Eaton suits are woven from Alfred Brown cloth: the Eaton Classic Fit in Navy Plain Weave Wool, Navy Herringbone, and Navy Plain Weave Lightweight Wool. These cloths have been carefully selected for their comfort, versatility and long-term wear. The collection spans from lightweight (250gsm,) through to mid-weight (300gsm) worsted wools, to a more heavyweight (340gsm) merino wool - all designed to perform beautifully across seasons and occasions.
The making of Alfred Brown cloth is a measured and meticulous process. Carefully chosen, high quality yarns sourced from leading global suppliers are tested in-house to ensure depth of colour, consistency and performance before weaving begins. On the mill floor, modern rapier looms work in harmony with generations of technical knowledge, overseen by skilled technicians who monitor every stage of production.
Each length of cloth is individually inspected and hand-mended where required, before being sent to expert partners for specialised finishing touches such as water repellency and natural stretch. A final quality check ensures consistency of shade, handle, and structure, meeting the mill’s exacting standards throughout.
The result is fabric with substance and soul - unmistakably British in character, designed to wear beautifully from the first fitting and to improve with time.
A Legacy in Every Thread
Each piece of Alfred Brown cloth carries with it more than a century of British textile heritage. From carefully spun yarns to the final finishing touches, every stage reflects the mill’s dedication to premium craftsmanship. These are fabrics that tell a story and stand the test of time, elevating our three Eaton Suits crafted from Alfred Brown cloth to the very pinnacle of refined tailoring.
Shop the suits online here.
