Charles Tyrwhitt
United Kingdom
Charles Tyrwhitt is a London menswear brand founded in 1986 as a mail-order business by Nicholas Wheeler. It sells shirts, suits and related menswear online, in stores and through wholesale partners. Its ownership is not stated in the sources consulted.
| Founded | 1986 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Nicholas Wheeler |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
| First store | Jermyn Street, London (1997) |
| Segment | Premium and contemporary |
| Website | charlestyrwhitt.com |
What is Charles Tyrwhitt?
Charles Tyrwhitt is a British menswear brand best known for shirts. Its range also covers polos, suits, trousers, knitwear, blazers and coats, shoes and accessories, and it offers custom shirts. The company operates as Charles Tyrwhitt Shirts Ltd, with an office in Bankside, London.
History
According to Wikipedia, Nicholas Wheeler started the business in 1986 as a mail-order company while he was a student at the University of Bristol. The first store opened on Jermyn Street in London in 1997. The brand later became a multi-channel retailer combining mail order, shops and e-commerce.
Business model and distribution
- Online: the main website sells to UK and international customers.
- Stores: a store finder and in-store appointments are offered.
- Wholesale and partnerships: the site lists wholesale partnerships, an affiliate programme and a referral programme.
Wikipedia reports that Luke Kingsnorth became chief executive in April 2019 and that Greg Hodder held the role from 2008 to 2017. This profile does not confirm who leads the company in 2026.
Recognition and sustainability
The brand ranked first for customer service in the 2011 Sunday Times Profit Track 100 awards and won the Queen's Award for Enterprise for International Trade in 2016, according to Wikipedia. On its own site it describes a takeback scheme for donating preloved menswear and publishes ethical trading and modern slavery documents.
Why it matters
Charles Tyrwhitt is a clear example of a direct-to-consumer menswear business that began in mail order and kept customer service and e-commerce at the centre of its model while adding a limited store network.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Charles Tyrwhitt?
Nicholas Wheeler founded Charles Tyrwhitt in 1986 as a mail-order company while he was a student at the University of Bristol.
Where is Charles Tyrwhitt from?
Charles Tyrwhitt is a British menswear brand based in London. Its first store opened on Jermyn Street in 1997.