So English

So English – lifestyle Beachwear made in England that takes you from the Bedroom to Breakfast, to the Beach and Beyond.

So English was born on the beach and offers vintage inspired clothing for a new generation. Recreating that glorious feeling of being wrapped in cotton towelling after swimming in the sea. Designed to be reassuringly comfortable, always stylish and perfect for bracing days and tropical nights.

All our garments are proudly made in the UK, using sumptuous Italian towelling fabric and drawing from our rich British heritage of manufacturing and screen-printing skills. 

About Sophie English

So English was founded by fashion designer Sophie English, inspired by her personal collection of vintage towelling gathered over the course of many years. 

Trained at the London College of Fashion in the 1990s. Armed with pattern cutting skills and an eye for fit and detail, Sophie launched her career as a couture bridal designer selling at Liberty and Harrods, followed by designing bespoke uniforms worn by staff at The Dorchester and numerous City law firms. But for all her London success, she could never resist the call of the sea and moved to the Sussex coast for a new adventure.

Sophie’s designs recreate the carefree 1970s, sparked by memories of childhood holidays spent messing about on beaches and boats. They echo the vibrant towelling beach dresses she remembers her mother wearing.

Every design is named after an original ‘60s or ‘70s musician – including Domino, Zappa and Santana. Our exclusive pieces include original 1970s towelling trims and screen printed retro designs inspired by Sophie’s love of vintage fabrics.

So English philosophy

The difference between something good and something great is attention to detail… 

Each garment is made in the UK, hand-finished with double-stitched seams and taped hems. The pocket is large, practical and in many designs, zipped.  

The fabric is 100% cotton loop. The towelling is warp knitted, meaning there is no length or width stretch to the fabric and essentially snag-free.

The towelling is manufactured using a woven polyester base. This gives it strength and durability and extends the life of the garment. 

This season we have linked with one of the remaining textile manufacturers in England to screen print a floral retro design as seen on the Emerson dress, Jackson hoodie and Carly shorts.

Colour contrast facings inside the neck and front edge prevent any stretching of the garment. 

So English original print designs on eco-linen polyester for the collar and front detailing.

Sustainability

These are timeless pieces designed to stay with you from holiday to holiday, from beach to beach.

We are committed to Slow Fashion, a mindful way of shopping that prioritises people and the planet. The focus is on sustainability. Our garments are manufactured here in the UK using small factories and skilled local machinists. Our aim is to produce high quality pieces that wear well and last longer.

We use towelling made from 100% cotton loop, woven with care and craftsmanship in Italy. The Italian bespoke zip is made from recycled stainless steel and embedded on a tape woven from 100% recycled polyester using plastic (PET) bottles. The vintage towelling used for our limited edition pieces and our vintage parachute silk, are ethically sourced from individuals around the world.

Good things come in sustainable packages. We have sourced biodegradable and recyclable mailer boxes to ship orders and certified paper swing tags.

We are working towards offering a repair & re-wear service for damaged clothing so please contact us should your garment be in need of some TLC.

Shop the So England collection online now: https://www.soenglish.co.uk/collection

Browse more makers in the From Britain with Love directory 

Find So English in the Clothing Makers and Sustainable Fashion made in Britain sections of the Directory.