Britain has given the world some of the most enduring names in fashion. From a tennis shirt first stitched in 1952 to the muddy fields of Glastonbury, these five brands have shaped how we dress, what we value, and how we think about quality. The good news? At Secret Sales, you can shop genuine British heritage without paying full retail price. Here is a closer look at the stories behind the names.
Fred Perry: From Centre Court to the High Street
Fred Perry the man won Wimbledon three years in a row in the 1930s, becoming the first player to win all four Grand Slam titles. In 1952, he put his name to a polo shirt with a subtle laurel wreath emblem, and fashion history was made.
The brand was adopted by mods, skinheads, Britpop icons, and football casuals across six decades, making it one of the most culturally layered labels Britain has ever produced. Today the twin tipped polo remains the hero product, available in a wide range of colours and a cut that flatters almost everyone.
Shop: The classic M3600 polo shirt in pique cotton. Timeless, versatile, and built to last years.
Hunter: The Boot That Conquered the British Weather
Hunter has been making rubber boots since 1856, originally supplying agricultural and industrial workers before becoming a key supplier to the British Army during the First World War. The brand earned its fashion credentials more recently, partly thanks to a generation of festival-goers who refused to let rain ruin their outfit.
The Original tall boot remains the signature piece. It is handcrafted using 28 individual components and comes in dozens of colourways. Practical, iconic, and unmistakably British, a pair of Hunters will see you through everything from a soggy autumn commute to a country weekend.
Shop: Hunter Original tall Wellington boots. Worth every penny, and even better at a discount.
Ted Baker: British Eccentricity at Its Best
Ted Baker was founded in Glasgow in 1988, launching as a single shirt shop before growing into a global brand known for bold prints, unexpected details, and a quietly irreverent sense of humour. The fictional character of Ted Baker became the brand's personality, lending it a warmth that sets it apart from more austere luxury labels.
Ted Baker sits at an accessible premium price point, making it a brilliant entry point for anyone building a wardrobe with genuine character. Dresses, shirts, tailoring, and accessories all carry the brand's signature flair.
Shop: Ted Baker occasion dresses and printed shirts. Perfect for weddings, garden parties, or just brightening up a Tuesday
Aquascutum: The Quiet Giant of British Tailoring
Aquascutum was founded in London in 1851, five years before Burberry. The name is Latin for water shield, a nod to the brand's patented waterproofed wool, which clothed British officers from the Crimean War through both world wars. It's one of two British houses credited with pioneering the modern trench coat.
Less widely known than some of its peers, Aquascutum is a genuine insider's choice. The brand stands for restrained, impeccably crafted outerwear and classic British tailoring with no need for a logo to announce itself.
Shop: Aquascutum's signature checked shirts, scarves and accessories — an easy way to wear the house's heritage pattern without hunting down a vintage trench.
Burberry: The Original British Luxury Icon
Thomas Burberry founded his eponymous house in Basingstoke in 1856. His invention of gabardine, a breathable yet weatherproof fabric, transformed outerwear. The trench coat developed during the First World War became one of the most copied silhouettes in fashion history.
Today Burberry operates firmly in the luxury tier, with a heritage plaid, a distinctive equestrian knight logo, and a reputation for quality that has survived over 170 years of changing tastes. Finding Burberry at a genuine discount feels like a small triumph.
Burberry scarves in the signature check are among the most gifted luxury items in Britain.
Bags and beauty are where the Secret Sales Burberry range really shines, alongside the signature check accessories.
The brand's quality control means even older season pieces hold their value and their look.
Shop: Burberry bags, accessories, and beauty. Proper luxury, properly discounted.
Why British Heritage Brands Hold Their Appeal
What unites Fred Perry, Hunter, Ted Baker, Aquascutum, and Burberry is not a price point. It is a commitment to craft, a real founding story, and a design language that remains coherent across decades. These are not trend-led labels. They are reference points.
Shopping them at a discount does not diminish that. It means more people can own a piece of genuine British design history, and that feels like something worth celebrating.
Browse the full Brand A-Z on Secret Sales to see what's currently available across all five brands, and hundreds more.
