WAYFARING GEAR: HebTroCo - Made Right (North of) Here
Hebtroco Clothing (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
HebTroCo was launched in 2016 with the grand and noble concept of restoring Hebden Bridge’s proud heritage of trouser production.
Founders Ed and brant (with a small “b”) have weaved a business model around a Made In England ethos embroidered with an emphasis on quality traditional workwear inspired men’s clothing, often resurrecting old clothing patterns and designs.
While initially focusing on trousers, the range has expanded to include rugged coats, jackets, shirts, jumpers, hats, socks and boots
All with a nod to attire that is not ‘in the moment’ fashion, but is classically styled and built to last.
Clothing listings on the HebTroCo website handily contain details of where all of the materials making up the item have been sourced, the UK location where the item has been made, together with other useful information on sizing and the now infamous washing instructions (“Don’t be a Dick”), especially important for the variety of selvedge jeans you can procure.
The company’s marketing is effective and fit for purpose - Ed and brant model many of the products on the Company’s website, keeping things congruent with the brand’s ethos and Yorkshire heritage.
There may also be the odd back story too - such as the “Iron” denim overshirt, where a logistics faux-pas led to the creation of one of the brand’s most popular (but heavier than anticipated!) shirts.
It’s not just denim though; sustainably sourced heavy-duty moleskin, twill, tweed, canvas and linen all add to the impressive roster of fabrics employed.
All products are batch made, often in limited runs, so don’t hang around if you want to pick up a rugged and practical piece of the HebTroCo legacy.
You’ll also appreciate the no-frills Yorkshire approach to what you get - products simply and sustainably packaged, plastic free buttons, no fancy labels, logos or barcodes anywhere.
Indeed the brand removed logos from its clothing, some time ago. As Vic, Head of Content at Hebtroco, explains:
“The debranding was a very conscious decision. It came at a time when we’d started removing as much polyester from our pieces as possible, and labelling was one of the biggest culprits.
All our labels are now 100% cotton, but the change became about more than just swapping synthetic for natural. It gave us a chance to step back and assess what was actually needed. Having branding on both the inside and outside started to feel excessive, unnecessary, wasteful, and edging into gimmick territory, which we’ve always tried to avoid.
Ultimately, the quality, cut and feel of our clothing are what matter most, and those are the things we want people to notice first.”
The sales model is purely online, but expect a swift despatch of your order from the Happy Valley (or you can now arrange to pick up from Hebden Bridge Post Office if you are in the vicinity).
For a bit of light reading the relatively recently launched BOTHER print magazine captures stories, inspiration and insights around this burgeoning brand.
Hebtroco Iron Shirts (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
As pictured above, I’m a big fan of the Iron overshirt (in denim, twill, moleskin, and more recently Bedford Cord varieties) given its rugged construction and quality of materials used, functionality (eg practical pockets) and wearability - as either a shirt or jacket.
I’ve a number of other denim shirts, body warmers and a Melton wool Ilkley-woven vest - the quality and styling remains synonymous with the brand.
It’s a great vibrant business with a timeless clothing lineup, run by a passionate and dedicated team, championing and helping prolong a UK industry that we should all take some pride in.
Hebtroco Iron Shirt Care Instructions (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
Don’t be a Dick indeed.
See also my blog on Patrick Grant’s “Less” book which extols the values and principles underpinning the HebTroCo story!
