Hebden Headed

A trip to HebTroCo.

You’ve heard the saying “like a kid in a sweetshop.” Well, instead, imagine the kid is a 29-year-old clothing enthusiast trying to contain themselves while looking at a World War Two US Army Mackinaw Jeep coat, and bingo, that was me.

"I’ve admired HebTroCo’s work from afar for years," is what I first told co-founder Ed, shortly after referencing how creepy that sounded.

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I was just outside Hebden Bridge, visiting HebTroCo, a company responsible for making some of the most beautiful made-in-the-UK garments that money can buy.

They’re a company founded on authenticity; “real people” work here, no Bluetooth headsets, no trend forecasting on the wall, just a shared passion to produce quality garments.

Hebden Bridge was once known as “Trousertown” because it made over 20,000 pairs of trousers a week—that’s a million pairs a year.

HebTroCo is carrying on this legacy by producing high-quality pairs of selvedge denim, moleskin, chinos, cords, and lots more, as well as other garments, all designed and made right here in the UK.

While walking around the HQ, Ed apologised if the place seemed untidy, but it was perfect. The office was filled with vintage pieces, books, and vinyl, all serving as inspiration for the creative process.

“Keep only those things that speak to your heart. Then take the plunge and discard all the rest. By doing this, you can reset your life and embark on a new lifestyle,” a quote by Japanese author Marie Kondo that comes to mind. It felt like walking around a menswear museum, in the best way possible.

Ed was kind enough to give me a pair of the GVNR-JP Selvedge Denim Jeans to wear and tell you all about.

They come in a classic straight-leg fit and are crafted using selvedge denim by Collect Mill Japan, a company renowned for its development of traditional raw denim, and made by Blackhorse Lane Atelier in London, which makes some of the best jeans on the market today.

Upon first wear, I couldn’t help but smile. I’m a true believer that good clothes make you feel good, but damn, these jeans are special.

They’re stiff, rough, and I know that these are going to break in well. These are a pair of jeans built to last.

Selvedge denim jeans are a personal thing; once you’ve found the fit you want and the colour you like, you can let them age and mould to your shape, letting the creases and fades tell your own unique story.

Many would classify jeans as part of “everyday” clothing, but what many don’t do is buy a good quality pair that will last them every day.

It’s a funny thing, really; you do get what you pay for. It’s obviously not as easy as that for everyone, but getting a good quality pair is a real investment. Spend more, buy less.

GVNR-JP Jeans

I love everything about HebTroCo; everything about them is who I want to make my clothes.

From the couple of cups of coffee I shared with them, I learned that these really are just passionate, friendly people wanting to make the best clothes possible. It’s nothing more complicated than that.

I’d like to say a huge thank you to Ed and all of the team for having me visit and making this article possible.

Please go and check out HebTroCo here.

Have you checked out HebTroCo before? Let me know!

Thanks for reading,

Tom