It’s a historic family firm that’s rooted in East Yorkshire, having started out more than 70 years ago. Yet the checked-shirts, leather boots and blazers of Rydale have been given a modern boost thanks to its celebrity fashion fans.
British country clothing brand Rydale – which is part of the successful online and high street chain Yorkshire Trading Co – has long been favoured by farmers and those who enjoy equestrian and outdoor lifestyles. And the Driffield business is also popular with TV celebrities including the likes of Clarkson’s Farm star Kaleb Cooper, former professional footballer turned actor Vinnie Jones, Made in Chelsea personality and former Queen of the Jungle Georgia Toffolo, and equestrian influencer Millie Stennett.
Bosses told how the firm started in 1954 from a simple idea – and how it now exports all over the world through its website. A spokeswoman said: “Rydale grew out an outdoor events business founded by Molly Nichols and later run by her sons, Paul and Robert. Paul saw an opportunity to create practical, good-quality clothing for farmers, shooters, equestrians, dog walkers, and other countryside customers, and Rydale Country Clothing was born.
“The name ‘Rydale’ came to Paul while trading at The Royal Show at Stoneleigh, and the original handwritten logo he created is still used today. Early customers were mainly people living and working in the countryside, including farmers, equestrians, shooters, and dog walkers.
“The business grew through outdoor shows and events, which gave the team direct contact with customers and helped shape the products they developed for real life use. Paul already had relationships with manufacturers through the family business, which helped make launching Rydale possible.”
Over the years, Rydale has grown from an events-led country clothing business into a much broader e-commerce operation. The company told how Rydale.com launched in 2015, helping the brand to reach customers across the UK and beyond.
It sells internationally and is currently available to customers in 14 countries. However, outdoor shows – including stands at Badminton Horse Trials, The Game Fair and Burghley Horse Trials – remain an important part of the business and its history.
Its shoes, boots, jackets, shirts, hats – for men, women and children – and pet products are sold online, through more than 70 independent wholesalers across the UK, and at major outdoor, agricultural, and equestrian events including Badminton Horse Trials, Burghley Horse Trials, and The Game Fair.
And all of its operations are centred on East Yorkshire. The spokeswoman said: “Today, all stock is stored and dispatched from our 200,000 sq ft headquarters and warehouse in Driffield, East Riding of Yorkshire.
“Every Rydale product is designed in-house by a small, close-knit team at our Driffield headquarters. New products are heavily influenced by customer feedback, outdoor events, and the practical demands of real country life.
“And Rydale has also attracted a number of well-known fans over the years. Vinnie Jones often shops at the Rydale stand when attending country shows, while Millie Stennett often sports the collection following our September 2025 collaboration. Georgia Toffolo has also worn Rydale previously, and Kaleb Cooper is known to wear our men’s shirts.”
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