Connolly

Connolly: a wardrobe with motoring in its design.

Connolly brings driving-inspired knitwear, jackets and leather travel bags together with a London shop and gallery. Its appeal is the connection between clothes you can move in and luggage designed around a journey: a knitted jacket, a sleeveless layer, a bag with a place for work as well as clothes. Explore it for British-brand character without building an outfit around conspicuous logos.

The business traces its origins to a family saddlery and shoemaking enterprise in 1878, followed by leather supply for car interiors. Its modern retail chapter began in 1995 under Isabel Ettedgui. Today, ready-to-wear and leather goods sit alongside curated art and objects. This is the brand's own shopping destination; that does not mean every gallery object was made by Connolly.

Where to start

Browse the Driving collection ↗ for a coherent introduction. The shop at 4 Clifford Street, Mayfair ↗ offers a different way in, with clothing and leather goods in a Georgian townhouse and a gallery on the first floor. Contact the team through its official enquiry page ↗ for measurements, a particular finish or a planned visit.

Four choices that explain the collection

• A knitted jacket: the Single Breasted Driving Jacket uses a dense Milano knit and horn buttons, according to the product description. Think of it as a way to bring a jacket outline into a knitwear wardrobe. Ask about the shoulder, sleeve length and fit over your usual layers; a familiar size label will not settle those questions. The pictured colour is called Vicuna, which should not be confused with a verified claim of vicuña fibre.
• A sleeveless layer: the Wool Drop Back Car Vest is described as merino wool with a waffle body, patch pockets and a shortened front intended for seated comfort. Its Italian-made example is labelled 100% wool. Choose this route if you want room at the arms while layering; choose the jacket if you want sleeves and a more complete outer silhouette. The driving name describes the design brief, not protective equipment.
• Organised short-trip luggage: the taupe 48 Hour Bag example has two compartments, a removable shoulder strap and a trolley strap. One side organises clothes, while the other accommodates a laptop and documents. At the listed 43 × 29 × 18 cm, it is worth measuring against your actual devices and packing habits. Its internal separation may suit work travel better than a single open holdall; it also gives you a fixed packing layout to work around.
• A larger grip bag: the green Sports Grip Bag with Badges connects more visibly to the motoring theme through roller-buckle straps and upholstery leather. The product page identifies Vaumol leather and palladium-plated brass hardware, with a laptop sleeve and internal pockets. Its stated 50 × 35 × 30 cm makes it a different proposition from the narrower 48 Hour Bag. Compare carrying comfort and the space you need, rather than buying by the evocative model name.

Make the material choice specific

Read the page for the exact colour and reference. A bag family may have different leather treatments: the taupe 48 Hour description discusses nubuck as well as a grained alternative. Do not carry one finish's care assumptions across the range. Ask the shop how the chosen surface should be cleaned and what exposure or wear to expect. Manufacturer descriptions of warmth or weather performance are not independent test results.

Our view

Connolly is a useful destination when you want knitwear, a jacket and luggage to share a practical travel vocabulary. Begin with the jacket-versus-vest decision for clothing, or the divided-versus-larger-bag decision for luggage. For another knitwear-led wardrobe direction, compare Loro Piana; for a different emphasis on woven leather, explore Bottega Veneta. These are different starting points, not claims of equivalent construction or value.

Check current sizes, materials and order terms for your destination on the official site. A product described as cabin luggage is not a promise that every airline will accept it. For resale purchases, our authenticity guide explains what documents and inspections can establish. Continue through the fashion directory for more destinations.