Basic Shirt
Howell started the label making men's shirts in 1970, and the unstructured Basic Shirt in yarn-dyed cotton, poplin and linen remains the house's founding garment.
4 live now · from $192
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Margaret Howell
British designer label making relaxed shirting, tailoring and knitwear in traditional UK fabrics, run from London since 1970 and majority-owned since 1990 by Japan's Anglobal, part of TSI Holdings.
LondonOrigin
UnisexFocus
Minimalist / ContemporaryStyle
$$$$Price
18 brands like Margaret Howell like Oliver Spencer, Auralee, De Bonne Facture →
What to know about Margaret Howell
Started with men's shirts, still does
Howell began in 1970 making men's shirts, and relaxed unstructured shirting in Irish linen and cotton poplin remains the core of the collection.
British cloth, softened tailoring
Corduroy and tweed jackets, wide trousers and Scottish-spun knitwear in Harris tweed and Shetland wool, cut without the stiffness of traditional tailoring.
MHL. is the cheaper entry
The lower-priced MHL. line reworks workwear and military shapes, so the label is reachable below its main high-tier pricing.
The pieces that define Margaret Howell
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MHL Stitch Pleat Trouser
The MHL. line's workwear-derived wide trousers, cut in cotton canvas and tough twill, are the everyday backbone of the diffusion collection.
2 live now · from $233
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Scottish-Spun Knitwear
Crew necks and slipovers in Geelong lambswool, Shetland and cashmere carry the label's quiet British material tradition.
2 live now · from $263
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Shop all Margaret Howell ↗Available atLost & Found · Rooney · Hatchet Outdoor Supply Co.
How Margaret Howell fits
Overall fit
runs large
Margaret Howell (and especially the MHL line) is widely described as cutting generously — pieces sit loose and relaxed with extra room through the body and length, so a size down is the common recommendation.
Tip: Most people are happiest sizing down one from their usual size unless they specifically want the intended loose, lived-in drape.
Medium confidence · based on 14 sources
By category
| Category | Runs | Shape | Size advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoodies & sweatshirts | runs large | boxy and heavyweight with dropped shoulders | Size down one for a normal fit. |
| Shirts & overshirts | runs large | relaxed, straight-cut body with a soft shoulder | Size down one unless you want a deliberately voluminous shirt over a tee. |
| Trousers & pants | runs large | relaxed, mid-to-high rise with a straight or gently wide leg | Consider one waist size down and plan on shortening the inseam. |
| Jeans & denim | slightly large | straight, easy leg with a comfortable rise | Take your usual waist or go down one if you like denim close to the body. |
| Jackets | runs large | soft, unstructured and roomy, cut with layering room | Size down if wearing over just a shirt; stay true to size if you layer knitwear underneath. |
| T-shirts & graphic tees | slightly large | boxy with a wide neck and roomy sleeve | Take your usual size for a relaxed look, or size down if you prefer a closer fit. |
Directional fit consensus summarized from public sources with AI — a starting point, not a guarantee. Confirm with the product's own measurements before buying.
If you like Margaret Howell
See all 18 brands like Margaret Howell →
85% matchOliver Spencer
British fabrics, softly tailored suiting and workwear jackets
What changes: More overtly tailoring/suit-led and less austere
82% matchAuralee
Custom-milled Japanese cloth, same quiet relaxed volumes
What changes: Japanese minimalism, no heritage tweed or military references
82% matchDe Bonne Facture
Named-atelier construction in linen, cotton and wool
What changes: French rather than British utility references; narrower range
75% matchComoli
Fabric-led wide trousers and unstructured shirting
What changes: More conceptual Tokyo cut, less British tailoring heritage
Margaret Howell fit questions
Does Margaret Howell run big or small?
Margaret Howell runs large. Most people are happiest sizing down one from their usual size unless they specifically want the intended loose, lived-in drape. Margaret Howell (and especially the MHL line) is widely described as cutting generously — pieces sit loose and relaxed with extra room through the body and length, so a size down is the common recommendation.
How does Margaret Howell fit?
Margaret Howell (and especially the MHL line) is widely described as cutting generously — pieces sit loose and relaxed with extra room through the body and length, so a size down is the common recommendation. Overall shape: relaxed, softly boxy with dropped or extended shoulders on many pieces.
How do Margaret Howell hoodies & sweatshirts fit?
Margaret Howell hoodies & sweatshirts runs large. Size down one for a normal fit. Shape: boxy and heavyweight with dropped shoulders.
How do Margaret Howell shirts & overshirts fit?
Margaret Howell shirts & overshirts runs large. Size down one unless you want a deliberately voluminous shirt over a tee. Shape: relaxed, straight-cut body with a soft shoulder.
How do Margaret Howell trousers & pants fit?
Margaret Howell trousers & pants runs large. Consider one waist size down and plan on shortening the inseam. Shape: relaxed, mid-to-high rise with a straight or gently wide leg.
Brand facts
Margaret Howell designs men's and women's clothing rooted in British utility and traditional tailoring, working from London since 1970, when she started by making men's shirts. The label is known for relaxed, unstructured shirting, corduroy and tweed jackets, wide trousers and Scottish-spun knitwear in Irish linen, cotton poplin, Harris tweed and Shetland wool. The lower-priced MHL. line reworks workwear and military shapes. Howell still leads the design studio; shops in London, Japan and elsewhere also stock furniture, lighting and homeware chosen in the same restrained spirit.
- Founded
- 1970
- Origin
- London, United Kingdom
- Made in
- UK
- Price
- $$$$
- Typical prices
- Shirts $274–$596 · Accessories $99–$145 · Trousers $415–$467
- Focus
- Unisex
- Facts checked
- August 2026
- Styles
- Minimalist / Contemporary, Quiet luxury, Workwear / Heritage