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Bignose & Beardy
In the green rolling hills of East Sussex are Phil and Steve, better known to most as Bignose & Beardy. Together, they’ve cultivated something more than cider. It’s a way of life, rooted in community, sustainability, and a quietly distinctive sense of style. They make cider, yes. But they also tell stories, host gatherings, and remind us that style and substance are best enjoyed together.
Phil’s (Bignose) journey began with a decisive break from London. After thirty-odd years on the railway, he left to pursue a lifelong dream: running a smallholding. A whirlwind auction saw him become the new owner of a farm, which became both home and a ten-year renovation project. It was here that the story of Bignose & Beardy was pressed into being.
Steve’s (Beardy) route was less direct. Still consulting in cities near and far, he and his family found themselves in Framfield, where one afternoon at the school gate he met Phil. A conversation struck up, an idea shared, and before long a friendship and partnership had formed.
Their approach to cider-making is as collaborative as their beginnings. Alongside their own orchard, they invite locals to bring surplus apples from gardens and smallholdings, or to join in on seasonal picking days. In return, neighbours take home cider or juice, and unwanted fruit finds a noble purpose. Each harvest brings a new assortment of apples, pressed by hand and left to ferment with wild yeasts. The result is a series of small-batch ciders, each with its own quirks, each a reflection of the season.
Day to day, practicality comes first. Phil favors sturdy work pants with plenty of pockets, the uniform of a man endlessly tinkering with both farm and press. Steve prefers suspenders and vests, along with clothes worn comfortably to the point of threadbare. Sharp suits are rare sightings now, though not entirely absent. “I do love a three-piece with a good pair of shoes,” Phil admits. “But I’m happiest in my workwear.”
Steve is much the same. “I can’t abide anything tight around my waist, so it’s suspenders every time. I live in my Aigles for most of the year. And I’ll wear clothes until they fall apart.” When work calls him back to the city, however, he makes an effort: collared shirts, a vests, always a touch of formality.
Moving to Framfield reshaped their wardrobes as much as their work. Cords, tweed, waxed jackets and wellies, once absent from their London and Brighton days, soon became indispensable. Phil is quick to note this was not about blending in, but about sheer practicality. Steve's shift was more philosophical, born from a growing interest in self-sufficiency and sustainability. Long hours outdoors called for clothing that could keep up.
Still, both men relish the chance to dress up when the occasion demands. Fancy dress is a particular favorite, with Phil boasting a costume collection of some renown. Their Wassail outfits, complete with green paint, antlers and horns, are sights to behold. For their tenth anniversary, they chose Peter Christian, a decision that nudged them to raise their sartorial game in general.
Their style histories are as eclectic as their cider labels. Phil recalls a Miami Vice phase: white loafers, pastel jackets and, inevitably, a mullet. Later, he discovered the appeal of the three-piece suit, encouraged by a mentor who told him: “Even if you cannot do the job, dress to look the part.”
Steve, meanwhile, went through a gothic stage of trench coats and DMs, followed by Cuban heels and shiny suits, before embracing double denim. The beard, of course, has its own story: a mountain trek, a pair of very short shorts, and a comment from his mother-in-law likening him to a polar explorer. He has not shaved since.
These days, their wardrobes are more in step. They speak fondly of their “uniform”: check shirts, knitwear and practical layers. Steve even knits his own sweaters, including a tank top designed specially for Phil's birthday, patterned with the Bignose & Beardy motif. With the influence of Peter Christian, their shared look has become quietly refined, recognisable and very much their own.
Bignose & Beardy prove that, much like cider, good style is at its best when approached with character, patience and a generous sense of fun.
And there is always another celebration ahead. This January, the wassail returns: fire, noise and ritual to wake the orchards. “Pull up a log and join us under an apple tree…”
Get Bignose's Look
Phil wears a rich fall combination, featuring moss green corduroy pants and a gold tattersall shirt, layered with a biscuit moleskin vest. A brown belt and bronze baker boy cap add a relaxed, heritage feel, while the William Morris navy Strawberry Thief pocket square provides a refined finishing touch.
Get Beardy's Look
Steve wears a refined country-inspired ensemble, pairing a green Donegal vest with a classic green tattersall shirt and beige moleskin pants. Brown suspenders add a traditional touch, while a camel wool felt hat lends style. The look is finished with a game birds pocket square, bringing a subtle hint of character and color.
