Our story
Est. 1987
How it all started
From a humble hunch born from a shared love of rugby to a thriving retailer with a wide range of collections; we’ve always been full of surprises.
Fran and Steve first met on a rugby field in 1970, with Fran admitting: “We didn’t get along very well at first, but eventually we hit it off, and we’ve been teammates ever since.”
Luckily, their skill matched their enthusiasm for the sport, and by 1971, they were playing together for the England national team. After enjoying many successful tours and test series, they eventually hung up their boots and turned their attention to the world of clothing. With their larger-than-life personalities and stature, they understood just how difficult it could be to find comfortable, quality clothes for themselves and those around them.
In 1987, they started Cotton Traders with a simple idea: casual clothing that looks and feels good. A bit of clever marketing, like a surprise newspaper ad, really helped to get the ball rolling and before long Cotton Traders were a household name - synonymous with comfort and rugby shirts.
From the high streets to the silver screen, they have been worn by everyone from Nelson Mandela, during the 1995 rugby World Cup, to Matt Damon (during the film ‘Invictus’). An icon among icons!
Fran and Steve first met on a rugby field in 1970, with Fran admitting: “We didn’t get along very well at first, but eventually we hit it off, and we’ve been teammates ever since.”
Luckily, their skill matched their enthusiasm for the sport, and by 1971, they were playing together for the England national team. After enjoying many successful tours and test series, they eventually hung up their boots and turned their attention to the world of clothing. With their larger-than-life personalities and stature, they understood just how difficult it could be to find comfortable, quality clothes for themselves and those around them.
In 1987, they started Cotton Traders with a simple idea: casual clothing that looks and feels good. A bit of clever marketing, like a surprise newspaper ad, really helped to get the ball rolling and before long Cotton Traders were a household name - synonymous with comfort and rugby shirts.
From the high streets to the silver screen, they have been worn by everyone from Nelson Mandela, during the 1995 rugby World Cup, to Matt Damon (during the film ‘Invictus’). An icon among icons!
Nowadays, we sell more than just rugby shirts
We’re full of surprises.
We don’t take ourselves too seriously here at Cotton Traders, but we are serious about making clothes that feel good and that last, because we know that life’s too short for too-tight shorts or fretting about them fraying. We understand that clothes should be made to live in, like walking-the-dog-living or that extra-piece-of-cake living.
We’re all about embracing a life full of surprises because let’s be honest, without them, things would be dull. We’re proud of our customers and the services we provide, with the values of friendship and respect passed down by our founders and then woven into the fabric of our business.
We’re all about embracing a life full of surprises because let’s be honest, without them, things would be dull. We’re proud of our customers and the services we provide, with the values of friendship and respect passed down by our founders and then woven into the fabric of our business.
We think that comfort is pretty cool
The kind of comfort that makes every-day life easier.
Like elasticated waists on some of our trousers because looking smart shouldn’t feel restrictive. Like super-stretchy jersey dresses because sitting down and dashing to the post office can happen in the space of thirty minutes. Like our tops with a wrinkle-free finish because you’ve got enough of those from laughing. Like our easy-care shirts that get softer each wash and anti-curl collars that let you swerve the iron…all stuff that makes it easier to look and feel brilliant.
Like elasticated waists on some of our trousers because looking smart shouldn’t feel restrictive. Like super-stretchy jersey dresses because sitting down and dashing to the post office can happen in the space of thirty minutes. Like our tops with a wrinkle-free finish because you’ve got enough of those from laughing. Like our easy-care shirts that get softer each wash and anti-curl collars that let you swerve the iron…all stuff that makes it easier to look and feel brilliant.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Inspired by Fran and Steve’s legacy, we strive to ensure that our business practices at Cotton Traders create a positive impact on society and the environment. We are dedicated to uplifting communities, both near and far.
