Have a very Yorkshire Christmas with fashion and gifts from top brands large and small
With Christmas upon us, Yorkshire Post Fashion Editor Stephanie Smith asks some favourite Yorkshire fashion retailers, brands and designers what they will be wearing and giving this year.
Are you ready for Christmas, with all your gifts located and wrapped, your festive season outfits planned and waiting in the wardrobe for the various parties, events and family occasions you have coming up in your packed social diary?
Nope? Me neither. But this year, I have made one very special pre-New Year’s Resolution, and that is to make sure that everything I buy is from a local company. We asked some of our favourite Yorkshire brands what they will be wearing and buying this year:
Glencroft is a family-run countrywear business based in Clapham, in the Yorkshire Dales. Its Clapdale Wool project sees knitwear and accessories made from the fleeces of sheep that graze near its HQ. This month Glencroft won Yorkshire Post Rural Business of the Year Awards 2025.
Co-owner Edward Sexton says: “I love Christmas items and, as you can only wear them once a year, I will be making the most of a Christmas-themed shirt I was bought a few years ago. I will also be digging out a very old Glencroft jumper from 1990 that I found on eBay that is very Nordic-looking."
From Glencroft’s current collection Edward recommends the extra-thick navy Saxon jumper, matched with his traceable Clapdale Wool flat cap, and the Beck British Wool Nordic Jumper, £139.95. “It's our modern take on a Fair Isle, in classic natural autumn and winter colours – the brown and gold colours in Clapham Beck (hence the name), which I used to think looked like liquid marmalade when I was a child.”
For gifts, he suggests: “Our Aran beanies with bobbles that we hand-make from British sheepskin offcuts do the job - the cream nep colour goes with most outfits.
“On my hands I'm favouring a pair of sheepskin mittens these days. They seem to keep your fingers warmer than gloves - perfect if it snows and I'm going sledging with my kids.”
Kit and Kaboodal, near Boroughbridge, is an independent, family-run company selling Made in Italy designs, specialising in versatile, flattering, one-size womenswear. Director Laura Taylor says: “This year, I’ll be reaching for cosy layers that still have that cheerful festive touch. I’m loving our Après Ski Jumper and our Merry Christmas Jumper – both of which I’ll be wearing on repeat. They’re the perfect fun pieces for everything from Christmas markets to family get-togethers. “From this year’s Christmas collection, I’m particularly excited about the rich, warm tones and beautiful textures. For us, it’s all about creating styles that carry you confidently into the New Year, ensuring you get plenty of wear from your wardrobe.
“When it comes to gifting, you can’t go wrong with festive days out or thoughtful gift vouchers. We adore Castle Howard at Christmas. We are especially looking forward to this year’s Wizard of Oz theme. We will also be heading to Swinton Estate to try their new winter light trail. Gift vouchers are always a brilliant option, too – ideal for a New Year treat or a date night once the Christmas chaos has settled. One of my favourites has to be The Durham Ox at Crayke.”
Joe Browns is a Leeds-based multi-channel men’s and women’s fashion and homewares brand known for its feel-good designs, quirky and vibrant prints, colours and detail.
“This Christmas, I’m slipping into a midnight-blue Loretta Crushed Velvet Trouser Suit, and for more reasons than one,” says Shannon Berry, Joe Browns PR manager. “The beauty of a two-piece is its versatility: the trousers and jacket can be worn together or separately, and even as a set they offer endless styling possibilities.
“For a Christmas party or late-night drinks, I’ll wear it with nothing but a bra beneath the blazer. For Christmas Day or anything vaguely wholesome with family, I’ll layer a silk slip top underneath. Secondly—arguably, most importantly—it is unbelievably comfortable. It offers enough generous stretch to accommodate a few extra pigs in blankets without having to stealthily unfasten anything under the table. What’s not to love?
“If I were gifting my mum, it would have to be the same trouser suit—she’s already seen mine and immediately added it to her Christmas list. For my dad, it would be a statement shirt. He loves a vibrant, conversation-starting print with denim, and something like the Standout Paisley Shirt would suit him perfectly.
"As for my husband and I, we don’t tend to exchange physical gifts. Back when we weren’t pouring every spare penny into home renovations, we would choose trips or experiences instead. But if I were to pick something for him, it would be a piece I could steal too, like the Suede Shearling Coat. He’d be lucky to get it off my back.”
Dorothy and Rose is a new North Yorkshire-based and made fashion brand founded by Rosie Madison, known for presenting on BBC Radio One, The Pulse, Hits Radio, and Gladiators. She says: "Dorothy and Rose dresses are perfect for celebrations at this time of year. I'll be wearing them on rotation like they do at the Oscars.
“Christmas Day will start in my high-neck, stunningly elegant, button-stripe gown. What I love so much about my collection is that, not only are they classic designs but, as we are all about size inclusivity, most of the pieces are drawstring waist, so they are a good choice to wear for that big Christmas meal. Evening has to be the gold balloon sleeve party dress. It's incredible.
“This year I will be gifting my Dorothy and Rose art-led T-shirts (my friends and family have already requested them on their Christmas lists). Each piece has embroidered artwork on them from my art studio Harrogatehouse.com.
“Stocking fillers have to be the Dorothy and Rose ultimate gold scrunchie and the oversized red stripe scrunchie. Perfectly festive for this time of year.”
One Hundred Stars is an independent, family-run fashion company based in Sheffield, creating ethical and sustainable fashion including screen-printed scarves, dresses, kimonos and gowns. Isobella Snook, who runs One Hundred Stars with her mother, Heather Stevenson, says: “This Christmas I will be wearing the brand’s signature Stork Black Kimono layered over a simple, warm knit in a neutral shade. This is my go-to for a look that merges quiet glamour with comfort and creativity. It never fails to make me feel glamorous without ever feeling over-done. For evenings out, I will add gold-tone accessories, a little heel and a pair of well-fitting black trousers or, for a daytime look, it looks great with wide-leg jeans and a chunky loafer.”
HebTroCo is an independent clothing brand that started from an idea in the pub. Based near Hebden Bridge, it has British-made men’s jeans, trousers, shirts, jackets, coats and accessories.
Co-founder Ed Oxley says that for Christmas he will be wearing HebTroCo’s 100 per cent wool Jura Crew Jumper and a pair of the brand’s GVNR 14 jeans, and for gifts, he suggests one of the brand’s Action Blankets. HebTroCo is marking 10 years this month with a special run of handwoven Action Blankets created with Baildon-based textile designer Rebecca Ough of Salt Weave Studio, each piece woven by hand on her loom in Baildon.
“Everything we’ve done has been about making things properly and locally,” says Ed. “From jeans sewn in London to jackets made in Yarmouth, now to blankets handwoven in Baildon — it’s all connected.”