Having started life under the stairs at the home of Tom and Kate Wharton in Woodmancote, Barrington Ayre Shirtmaker & Tailor has now been trading for nearly 18 years right in the centre of Cirencester – just a few steps away from Cirencester Parish Church.
Now well-established in the Cotswolds, this family-run firm creates bespoke Savile Row quality clothes for men and women. Tom said: “I always found Savile Row intimidating and not always the most welcoming, so I wanted to be able to provide the finest tailoring in an environment where my customers could feel relaxed and really enjoy the experience.”
Tom’s delightful first floor Barrington Ayre showrooms are above Cotswolds Contemporary Art Gallery in Cirencester Market Place and are designed to be comfortable and welcoming. It almost feels as if you’re in a bygone cosy drawing room with its panelled walls, large fireplace, wing-back chairs and sumptuous hand-made blue Chesterfield sofa. There’s even a large television for when the sport is on!
Sheffield-born Tom loves watching sport and has even made suits for Michael Vaughan, English cricket commentator. The former cricketer loved Barrington Ayre suits so much that he recommended the company to his friends. Word spread and now Tom and his team make clothing for many sports stars and celebrities.
Barrington Ayre also sport a full bespoke ladies’ clothing service and some of the clothing has been seen on Nadiya Bychkova from Strictly Come Dancing; Chemmy Alcott, ex-skier; and sports commentator Sarah Stirk.
In May this year, Barrington Ayre supported Dr Sarah Ruggins in her successful record-breaking challenge to cycle from John o’ Groats to Lands End and back again – covering 2,700 miles! Barrington Ayre made clothing for Gloucestershire-based, Dr Ruggins, whose athletic career had been cut short when she became paralysed through a rare auto-immune disease.
As an advocate of good living, good health and good clothes, Tom has teamed up with local Pilates instructor Louise Buttler. He believes that posture and sports injuries can play a big part in how clothes fit, so looking after our bodies should be part of our lifestyle. Pilates is not just for ladies, as Tom practices what he preaches and regularly attends a men-only Pilates class!
Barrington Ayre’s service is about creating something special for each customer – long-lasting lifestyle tailored pieces that fit perfectly and express individuality and style. The Cotswolds shirtmaker and tailor is also a provider of the historic Bliss Mill tweed and Tom is delighted to be one of the first tailors to provide these historic fabrics.
Barrington Ayre has been established in Cirencester’s Market Place for closed to two decades now but are still not known to everyone. There’s no need to travel to London for your formal wear or casual essentials like bespoke denim and knitwear – as Barrington Ayre can make bespoke clothing, ladies’ wear, men’s wear, ready-to-wear, wedding outfits or even ceremonial pieces, jumpsuits or, for the cooler months, sheepskin gilets right here in the Cotswolds! Visit: https://barringtonayre.co.uk/
Article by Chris Roberts MBE PR
