Hebtroco: British Made Denim Jeans

Hebtroco is run by Brant and Ed in Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire, formerly known as Trouser Town because that's what used to be made there in the days when England led the world in clothing and cotton manufacture. Hebtroco's goal was to return manufacturing to the area and that's exactly what they've done, launching on Kickstarter in 2016 and not looking back since.

They recently sent me one of their denim shirts and a pair of 177 Indigo Selvedge denim jeans to try. The shirt is superb, but I really want to talk about the jeans here. Made from 13oz denim from the Italian manufacturer Candiani, the denim is made with full sustainable credentials. Hebtroco say that, 'At all stages of manufacture, environmental sustainability is at the forefront of the selvedge production with BCI cotton, microplastics free dye process, solar power and water recycling just some of the process that are used'. ‬These are issues which it's important to check when buying cotton clothing.

Wearing Hebtroco 177 Indigo Selvedge British made denim jeans

Jeans detail (images Hebtroco)

Their 177 jeans are slimmer and tapered - if you prefer fuller cut try their GVNR or slimmer cut their V12s. I ordered a 32 waist and they come with a longer leg so that a turn-up can be worn. The sanforized (meaning they have been subject to a degree of pre-shrinkage) raw (uwashed and not colour fast) denim is durable without being harsh and, while it's early days, I'm sure they'll fade with style. Once carefully washed (separately) they will shrink less than 2% in length (half an inch or so) and 2% in width, but the waist will loosen again with wear. The upshot is to buy to your true size. 

For me the 177 is a perfect fit - see the image. Beautifully made, shaped and detailed, I'm very happy with these jeans. If you're after sustainably produced denim jeans made in the UK, Hebtroco are a perfect choice and I anticipate that these jeans will last for many a year.

Hebtroco's jeans cost £150 from Hebtroco

I was sent a sample to review. All views are mine alone.

Billy Tannery X Laird Hatters: A Hat Collaboration

 For the past four years Billy Tannery have been taking goatskins, the previously discarded by-product of the meat industry, and tanning them in their own tannery to produce soft, robust and colourful leather from which they make a variety of products from bags to keyrings. In a new collaboration they've worked with another favourite brand of mine, Laird Hatters, to produce a collection of caps with goatskin peaks. The Newsboy and Baseball caps are made from British tweeds and wool cloths which go well with the black or brown leather peaks. Each comes in two colours.

I was asked to model the collection on a beautiful autumn day in Bushy Park in SW London and here are some of the images. The caps are beautifully made (as you'd expect from Laird) and comfortable to wear: these are hats for life. They can be ordered now and will be available from Billy Tannery from mid-December. Baseball cap £85 and Newsboy cap £100. Note orders are now closed due to huge demand, but you can sign up for news of future collaborations and products at the bottom of the page on the Billy Tannery website.

The Billy Tannery x Laird Hatters caps and the forest green ziptop tote

Links:

Billy Tannery

Laird Hatters

This is unsponsored. I have received nothing in return for the feature or photoshoot as I do what I can to support British manufacture and young brands.

Lake District Farmers: High Quality Cumbrian Farm Products Delivered

Occasionally I feature products not strictly within the style remit here on the blog. When I do they are from brands that are important to me in one way or another. Those of you who've followed the blog from the beginning will know my love for the English Lake District - the area of lakes and mountains that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. That status certainly doesn't mean that the area is a museum run entirely for visitors. People live and work there and indeed the fells and valleys were shaped by farming over centuries. 

Farming in what is often bleak and remote landscapes isn't easy, yet The Lakes have acquired an increasingly strong reputation for high quality food. It has a number of leading restaurants - some with Michelin stars - and farmers produce the highest quality products that are shipped throughout the country to discerning consumers and restaurants.

I was recently contacted by Lake District Farmers (link below) who work with around fifty Lakeland farmers to supply the highest quality products while supporting those farmers who have to work hard to preserve a traditional way of life. Through their website they sell the best beef, lamb, pork and chicken products and you can select products for a box for home delivery.

LDF kindly put together a mixed box for me - beef, lamb and Lakeland pork products. I happen to know the farmers that provides their pork (pictured above at their gate) and they make the best Cumberland sausage you will ever taste. I'm still working my way through the box and all the meat products have been superb - tender and tasty. 

Beef and pork from Lake District Farmers

The lamb is from the local Herdwick sheep whose way of life, spending much of their time on the high fells eating wild grasses and herbs, gives the meat an unforgettable flavour. The beef comes from Galloway cattle and Phil Scott, Brand Managers at LDF, told me something about this fascinating breed whose way of life has such a beneficial affect on the harsh but fragile Cumbrian landscape: 

"To produce the finest steaks that exhibit a true representation of the Lakeland terroir, you need a breed of cattle that flourishes in that environment. This is why Lake District Farmers use Galloway cattle.

Galloway cattle our one of our oldest native breeds. Originating in the 1700’s from the ancient region of Galloway in the South West corner of Scotland, farmers were looking for a breed that could withstand the dramatic Galloway environment. Bred for their stocky legs, excellent temperament and ability to withstand the harsh weather, the Galloway breed was cemented into British farming history.

Due to their natural instinct to roam and forage for their food, these cattle excel on fell farms. This is why farmers in the Lake District have always advocated this breed and quickly adopted it as a Lake District farming mainstay from its inception. As the Galloway region is just a stone’s throw way from the Cumbrian hills, the cattle’s transition over the board was a swift one.

The Belted Galloway, a breed in its own right, with their trademark white belts around their middle, have become as synonymous with the Lakeland fells as their mysterious counterpart, the Herdwick sheep. You will often see both species wandering the open fells sourcing out the best available grazing patches.

The landscape in the Lake District is mountainous, dotted with rich forests and pastures. Though it may seem a rugged and forbearing landscape, it is also a fragile one. Tests have shown that the introduction of Galloway cattle can actually enhance the ecology and sustainability of the natural Lakeland landscape. Their selective feeding, which removes the excess roughage, allows native wildlife an improved access to natural herbage.

In short there are many factors that are beneficial when working with such a unique breed. However, one of the main reasons Lake District Farmers champion the Galloway breed is because of their flavour. The wide variety of grasses, mosses and herbs the animals are feeding on gives the Galloway a standout, rich and earthy flavour profile. In short; if you are looking to create a beef dish that portrays the very best of the British produce, look no further than the Galloway.

Lake District Farmers work on a cooperative basis with their farmers. This means that the farmers are paid a fair price for the exceptionally hard work they put into maintain such a rural icon. By placing your order with Lake District Farmers, you are actively safe guarding this rare and unique breeds future. Something we here at Lake District Farmers are incredible proud of".

To find out  more about Lake District Famers and to order their meats for home delivery, go to their website here.  There you can read about their farmers and chefs, try recipes and select from a range of Christmas boxes.

Bottom left Galloway cattle. Bottom right Herdwick sheep

I was sent a sample box of products to try - all views are mine.