If you’re a wet shaver,
you’ve probably been indoctrinated in the three Ts of traditional wet shaving:
Taylor of Old Bond Street,
Trumper, and
Truefitt & Hill. All three brands are based in Britain and are even located in the
same shopping district. Preserving the nostalgic elements of wet shaving, these brands are considered to be the best in
the world. At RoyalShave we understand that one of the wonderful things about practicing wet shaving is that it links us
with a rich historical past. It’s a legacy that we carry on every time we start whipping up a lather, or put a razor to
our face. As such, today we will be taking you back in time to the rise of the standard-bearing Truefitt & Hill,
recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the Oldest Barbershop in the World. Check back for our next wet
shaving history lesson soon!
The Beginning
Up until the early 1800s, British men and women wore
powdered wigs. Grooming regimens focused on making these wigs look lavish, a feat usually accomplished at the
barbershop. But by about the beginning of the 19
th century, barbershops began offering more options for
pomades and hair products, allowing the vogue to sway on the side of natural, shorter hair. In 1805 William Francis
Truefitt opened one of the first barbershops in London, quickly becoming known as an exceptional barber who helped
Britain’s gentry look equally regal for society events as for everyday. Soon Truefitt received the highly revered Royal
Warrant to His Majesty, King George III, becoming the Court Hair Cutter, Court Hair Dresser, and Wigmaker.
An Esteemed Clientale
In additional to serving the Royal Family, Truefitt boasted as his clientele some of the
most notable figures of the time – according to the Truefitt & Hill website, “glancing at Truefitt’s appointment
books is like reading entries from a ‘Who’s Who’ of distinguished society and names of those who shaped the history of
the world…” Among these famous patrons was Sir Winston Churchill and William Gladstone, the Duke of Wellington, as well
as entertainment figures like Frank Sinatra, John Wayne, and Fred Astaire. In 1935 Truefitt acquired the hairdressing
business of Edwin S. Hill & Co., moving into Edwin Hill’s old space at 23 Old Bond Street and becoming the Truefitt
& Hill we know today.
Long-Running Royal Ties
Since the brand’s inception, it has served the
Monarchs of Great Britain for nine consecutive reigns, and to this day Truefitt’s barbers visit the Buckingham Palace or
Windsor Castle to attend to the Royal Family. Find out more about
Truefitt & Hill
on their website, and shop
Truefitt & Hill at Royal Shave.
