Fred Perry vs Lyle & Scott Which British Brand Should You Buy?
Fred Perry and Lyle & Scott are two of the most popular British menswear labels we sell, and both are built around a polo shirt with a logo on the chest. This guide compares the heritage, the polos, the knitwear, the fit and the price, so you can pick the right one, from an official stockist of both.
The short answer
Fred Perry for the polo and the heritage, Lyle & Scott for knitwear and value. Choose Fred Perry for the twin-tipped polo, the laurel wreath and British subculture heritage. Choose Lyle & Scott for fine knitwear, the golden eagle and a designer polo for less money. Both are true to size.
The brands
A tennis champion and a Scottish knitwear house. Fred Perry was founded in 1952 by the British tennis player who was the first man to win all four Grand Slam singles titles, and its laurel wreath became a badge of mod, skinhead and Britpop style, while in Manchester the first football casuals were even called Perry Boys. Lyle & Scott is older, beginning in 1874 in Hawick in the Scottish Borders as a knitwear maker, and its golden eagle is linked to golf knitwear and the 80s casual look. Shop Fred Perry · Shop Lyle & Scott
At a glance
The two side by side. Heritage, icon, fit and price, in the order most people compare them.
| Fred Perry | Lyle & Scott | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1952, England | 1874, Hawick, Scotland |
| Logo | Laurel wreath | Golden eagle |
| Icon | M12 twin-tipped polo | Knitwear and the eagle polo |
| Best for | Polos and sweatshirts | Knitwear and value polos |
| Fit | True to size, M12 slightly boxier | True to size, Vintage runs slim |
| Polo price | Around £80 | Around £55 |
| Culture | Mods, skinheads, Britpop | Golf and 80s casuals |
The polos
Structure against value. The Fred Perry M12 twin-tipped polo is the icon, in a heavier, structured piqué with contrast tipping on the collar and cuffs. Lyle & Scott's plain polo is lighter and costs noticeably less, and its tipped and tartan collar polos add detail. If you want the classic British polo, buy the Fred Perry; if you want a quality designer polo for everyday wear, the Lyle & Scott is the better value. Shop polo shirts · The best designer polo shirts
Knitwear and sweats
Each has its strength. Lyle & Scott is the knitwear specialist, with merino crew necks, lambswool and cotton merino quarter zips, cable knits and argyle jumpers. Fred Perry's strength is its sweatshirts, especially the half zip, which comes in a wide range of colourways. For a jumper, go Lyle & Scott; for a sweatshirt, go Fred Perry. The best designer knitwear · Shop sweatshirts
The fit
Both are true to size. Fred Perry is true to size with a classic regular cut, and the M12 is slightly boxier. Lyle & Scott is true to size too, with the Vintage line, the one with the gold eagle, the only style that runs slimmer, so size up there. The charts line up closely: a medium is a 38 to 40 inch chest in both. Fred Perry sizing guide · Lyle & Scott sizing guide
Price
Lyle & Scott is the cheaper of the two. A Lyle & Scott polo is around £55 against around £80 for the Fred Perry M12. Lyle & Scott knitwear runs from around £75 to £130 and its sweatshirts from around £75 to £85, while Fred Perry sweatshirts are around £90 to £95 and its jackets start at around £160. Every style is on the brand pages with its current price. Shop Fred Perry · Shop Lyle & Scott
Which to buy
Most men end up with both. Buy Fred Perry if you want the twin-tipped polo, the half zip sweatshirt and a piece of British subculture. Buy Lyle & Scott if you want knitwear, a lighter polo or a designer label for less. They sit well together, and a Fred Perry polo under a Lyle & Scott jumper is a classic combination. Mod style · Football casuals
Common questions
Is Fred Perry better than Lyle & Scott?
Which is more expensive, Fred Perry or Lyle & Scott?
Do Fred Perry and Lyle & Scott fit the same?
What is the Lyle & Scott logo?
Which brand is best for knitwear?
Still unsure
Ask the team and we will help you pick. Tell us your chest measurement and what you are after, and we will point you to the right brand and size, because we are an official stockist of both. If the size is not right, exchanges are free, and UK returns are £3.00 within 14 days with a pre-paid Royal Mail label. Contact us · Shop polo shirts
Written by the Spiral Seven buying team · Updated 7 October 2026 · Official stockist of every brand in this guide
