Our Values
We take our time.
The world moves fast. We don't. Care can't be rushed. Neither can making something well. They both take time, consideration and attention. Everything about Dad & Dolly reflects the rhythm of this chapter of our lives. We are proudly #teamtortoise.
Make close to home, with people who care.
We work with small, family-run makers across the UK — people who we’ve met in person, who value good craftsmanship, support their community, and pay a living wage.
In small batches. No sales.
We produce in small batches and our garments are always a fair price, never on sale. We'd rather make less and make it well than chase volume and speed. If something sells out, you can join the waitlist and you'll be the first to know when it's back in stock.
Thoughtful about the details.
We're not perfect but we're thoughtful about every choice we make. Our packaging is recyclable kraft paper. Our hang tags are tied with undyed jute twine. We're committed to learning and improving as we grow, always with care, and always with the next generation in mind.
As nature intended.
Nature knows best. Natural fibres breathe with the body and returns to the earth. They improve with age and wear, rather than fall apart and shed plastic into our oceans. We only use synthetics when absolutely necessary; when we do, we keep it to the absolute minimum. The small amount of stretch in our socks is as far as we go.
Keeping good traditions alive.
We believe many traditional ways of doing things are better than their modern equivalents. Better for our planet, better for our health, and better for our sense of togetherness. Britain has an extraordinary textile and craft heritage. We want to be part of keeping this heritage alive and helping it thrive.
Bringing generations together.
Generations too often misunderstand each other and drift apart. We want to stitch them back together.
Dad & Dolly exists to honour the value that comes with age, and to show what's possible when generations work together. We believe creativity is one of the most powerful ways to connect across generations — to share stories, pass down wisdom, and remind each other of what really matters.
Changing the story of dementia.
Nobody living with dementia should feel invisible and isolated, but they often do. Dad & Dolly is our way of staying connected to the world around us, moving forward — at our own #teamtortoise pace — and showing what people with dementia and their carers still have to offer.
It is, in part, an act of resistance against the isolation and disconnection that dementia and caring can bring, and a challenge to the deficit, and often dehumanising, narrative around dementia.