Blog

  1. Double TWO welcome visitors from the Bank of England

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    On Thursday March 1st (despite heavy snowfall!), Double Two received a visit from Mr Michael Saunders a member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee. He was accompanied by Mr Will Holman, Deputy Agent for Yorkshire.

    Ricky and John Donner, Chairman and Managing Director of Double Two, have been members of the bank’s Yorkshire Business Information Panel for several years. It was, however, a great honour to be chosen for a company site visit and in depth discussion on the effect the bank’s monetary policy was having on the company and on the clothing industry in general.

    MPC members visit industrialists all over the country, through good weather and bad! The visits help the MPC to understand how real businesses work and are responding to the challenges they face. The Bank of England is giving guidance that interest rates are likely to rise, in a gradual and limited way.

    John Donner explained that the Wakefield Shirt Group encompassed Double Two Ltd s

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  2. Fun Pancake Day Facts!

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    To many, it's the most important day of the year (so far!) and although this year sees some other special day happen in the very same week, something to do with St.Valentine or someone, Pancake Day just slightly edges it!

    To get us all in the mood for everyone's favourite sweet dish, here’s 12 fun facts about Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday as it is traditionally known.

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  3. Double TWO Reduce Plastic Waste by 75%!

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    As British Prime Minister Theresa May recently vowed to eliminate the UK’s plastic waste by the year 2042, we are proud to state that in the last year we have reduced our use of plastic packaging by 75% across our casual range!

    It comes as the government steps up its plan for a cleaner environment in the midst of increasing concern around the amount of plastic waste produced in this country.

    Here at Double TWO Shirts and our corporate arm, Sugdens, we have long recognised the impact that our products and services have on the environment. To keep this to a minimum, the company adheres to a strict environmental management system.

    This involves a commitment to pollution prevention and reduction of carbon emissions, minimisation of waste and avoidance of landfill, efficient use of energy, transport, water and other natural resources and a commitment to reducing upstream environmental impacts through our supply chain.

    Environmental performance is constantly m

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  4. How to Spot the Differences in Shirt Fabrics

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    Men’s shirts can be made from many different weaves of material these days. The different styles can be a little confusing. Subtle differences in the way the fabric is weaved can achieve a world of difference in appearance and properties!

    This guide aims to give you the knowledge to confidently know your poplin shirts from your oxford shirts!

     

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  5. Men's Shirt Collars Explained

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    With so many different shirt collar styles out there it really can feel a little daunting. If it isn’t enough to choose a colour, a pattern, a material and a cuff style, the varying styles of collar come along and add to the woes of even the most avid shirt buyer!

    This guide on choosing the right collar style will arm you with the knowledge of a true men’s fashionista, help you understand the differences and help you know instantly the right collar style to suit you.

    Spread Collar


    Our most popular collar is the spread collar. This is a collar style that was first popularised by the Duke of Windsor to accommodate the Windsor knot, the spread refers to the width between the points of the collar, which is slightly wider than a standard col

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  6. Double TWO Nostalgia: From Shirt Salesman to British Spy!

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    In a special post, we remember a man who helped found Double TWO and became a war-time British spy helping to defeat the Nazi war machine!

    The late Harry Beckhough had a very eventful life indeed!


    When the government gave the Donner family (who themselves had fled Nazi occupied Austria) a permit to start a shirt making factory in an area of high unemployment, it was Wakefield that was chosen. Acting as translator and business advisor to Isaac Donner, Harry Beckhough helped get the family on a train to Wakefield to meet with the Ministry of Labour and the Midland Bank. He helped to setup the business and stayed to work with the company, becoming its first ever salesman.

    Harry studied four languages whilst at school, English, French, German and Greek, as part of a deal he states he made with the Headmaster to escape expulsion! Mr Beckhough passed all four languages with flying colours, winning a place at Bristol University to study German.

    In the

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  7. Double TWO Nostalgia: A World First in Shirtmaking

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    In a special nostalgic look back at our history, we first need to travel back to the early 1940’s.

    The war had bought many scientific inventions as weapons technology developed, but it was the discovery of a new fibre that drew the attention of our Chairman, Mr Isaac Donner.

    In 1941, in the midst of war, a scientist named Dr. Rex Whinfield derived a new fibre from oil. Despite this unlikely origin, the fibre looked and felt like silk and had many more qualities than any natural fibre could hope for.

    The British government were so impressed with the discovery that the shackles of the Secrets Act were clamped on it until the end of the war!

    Once the war was over, Dr Rex Whinfield along with Imperial Chemical Industries (I.C.I) patiently developed this man-made fibre for years, ironing out the snags and increasing its wonderful properties. They named it Terylene.

    Then in 1951, just three days before the British Industries Fair, Isaac Donner, our founder a

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  8. Video: The History of Double TWO

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    Created to commemorate our 50th year, the following video offers a nostalgic glimpse into life at Double TWO head office in the 90's!

    The video takes us through the innovative spare collar of the original Double TWO Shirts, the pioneering first polyester shirt and a tour of our head office, showcasing our use of, at the time, cutting edge technology to create the famous Double TWO Shirts.

    Now in our 77th year, of course a lot has happened since the creation of this video, which now in itself offers a heavy dose of nostalgia from our archives.


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  9. Double TWO announce Indian Expansion Plans

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    Double TWO are pleased to announce exciting plans to expand into India in 2017. This will include the opening of three retail stores located in call centres as well as a planned flagship store located in a shopping centre in the heart of Bangalore.

    A range of Double TWO Shirts, ties, knitwear and cufflinks will be stocked within one call centre store while the other two will be ‘catalogue shops’.

    Instead of carrying stock, these ‘catalogue shops’ will be able to use samples and sizing sets to choose what they want, before placing an order online. Orders will be delivered the next day in the Bangalore area.

    Double TWO has rented a 10,000 sq. foot warehouse in Bangalore, and will hire staff and vans for the next-day delivery service. Retail staff will be hire

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  10. When Double TWO Shirts (almost) ruled the waves!

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    In a special dose of nostalgia, we take a trip down memory lane to 1984 and the 'Everest Double Glazing' Round Britain Offshore Powerboat Race.

    The race, which had previously been held in 1969 and has only ever been held once since, in 2008, was a 10 stage tour around the British coastline. With huge costs involved, sponsorships were invited involving some of the big brands of the time. Double TWO were delighted to be involved.

    Beginning in Portsmouth, 28 powerboats set off racing to Falmouth. Leg 2 saw a race further up the coast to Fishguard in Wales, then to Douglas on the Isle of Man, a race around the Isle of Man for leg 4 and then on to Oban in Scotland. Competitors then cut through the Caledonian Canal as part of a non-racing cruise before resuming the race from Inverness to Dundee. From there the race continued to Whitby, to Great Yarmouth, to Ramsgate and then finally back to Portsmouth. A total race distance of 1,650 miles.

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