Tucked just around the corner from the British Museum is a compact powerhouse of tweed.
It is coming up for a year since Adam Skyner and his business partner Thomas Russell opened Thomas Farthing in a great location at 40 Museum street . If you wander in after a dusty morning viewing the Egyptian relics down the road you will be convinced that it has been here since the 1920’s.
Named after the local lamp lighter who rode around the then cobbled streets of Holborn on his penny farthing in a tall stove pipe hat, the store has a distinctly theatrical air which could reflect some of the elements of Adam’s past, with 1920’s music playing in the background and an eclectic mix of props decorating the store.
Adam told me that when the store opened they mixed great tweeds with a formal wear hire business but that as the year has gone on they needed more and more room for tweed. And it’s hardly surprising, they have one of the largest ranges of Harris tweed clothing in London for both men and women with many of the garments here designed in house and made for the Thomas Farthing brand.
But it’s not just a place to buy a warm coat or a hacking jacket. You can kit yourself out from head to foot including their in house designed three piece suits and all the accoutrements.
Everything is made with an eye to the fine detail and the quality of the clothes is fantastic to match the superb tweed.
Adam works hard with his small team to find UK manufacturers and suppliers. 70% of the products are designed in house and over 90% of the clothes and accessories in the store are made in the UK including leather belts, braces, neck wear and silk scarves.
As many of the items are made exclusively for Thomas Farthing and therefore don’t have to pass through many layers of wholesaling and distribution the prices are extremely competitive for a top quality product. It is also important to remember that buying a tweed suit or winter coat is an investment. These are items of your wardrobe that are destined to become much loved and valued friends for many many years.
The new Thomas Farthing web site is launched this week. A great guide but this really isn’t something that you should experience online. Pop into the shop for a browse and if you have the time they will pour you a small whisky to enjoy as you make your selection.
I call that some of the most civilized and Perfectly Gentlemanly shopping in all of London town.
Thomas Farthing is at 40 Museum Street, Holborn WC1A 1LU nearest tube Tottenham Court Road or Holborn. The store is open every day: 10am–7pm Telephone 020 7831 1600
