If you’re going to fuck up then fuck up like this. Spot on fit as usual, beautiful deep blue denim and you can tell it’s going to break in so well. I can get all my usual clutter in the pockets and still have room for an emergency pie. Brilliant bit of kit.

Super heavy 16oz selvedge. Probably bulletproof, but we haven’t tested it…

(and neither should you)

Dark indigo colour that will patina magnificently with wear.

Selvedge showing on inside of placket.

Two invisible side seam pockets. They’re big.

Two even bigger inside pockets. Forgotten your bag for life? You’ll save face by having these pockets when you need to do some tactical shopping.

Two outside chest pockets.

Press stud fasteners throughout.

Run and fell side seams, shoulder and yoke seam across chest.

Hang loop inside neck.

Denim woven on 1960s shuttle looms.

Preshrunk.

“We sent the wrong denim, bad got worse… but the whole time we couldn’t help thinking that the shirt was actually really good…”

The story of the Iron Shirt

A love of the heavy sounds of Lee “Scratch” Perry gave us the ambition several years ago to make the Iron Shirt. If you don’t know the tune you need to search out ‘Disco Devil’. Back then our idea was a bit of a joke but it turns out that we were deadly serious.

The truth is we sent the wrong denim to our supplier to make this shirt. It was time to restock our Selvedge Denim Overshirt but instead of ordering 8oz shirt denim, we ordered the 16oz that we use for our M16 jeans and jackets. Oh bugger.

We knew something was up when the factory said that the denim was a bit stiff and that they were having problems getting the finished shirts into our standard bags. 200 shirts arrived in a courier van that was riding low into its suspension. The boxes were bloody heavy.

Then bad got worse. The standard press studs that are perfect for our usual 8oz shirt were not suitable for the heavier cloth. Breathe and the shirts popped open. Despite this apparent tragedy we couldn’t help thinking that the shirt was actually really good.

In this business we’ve got used to dealing with problems. After all we started the company just as the Brexit vote happened followed by Covid and the non stop apocalypse that’s followed. Keep calm and carry on making really good stuff is the mantra. It’s worked so far and fingers crossed the good ship HebTroCo will steer a successful course through the stormy sea that is life. Anyway….

After a tense session with the pliers it turned out that our amazing factory could swap out the press studs for some heavy weight ones. 2,400 press studs later and we have a shirt made to jacket weight and specification, that we never would have dared to do. Sometimes you’ve just got to put on your Iron Shirt and dance with the disco devil.

Is it eco denim?

Yes! All our denim comes from Candiani in Italy.

The Iron Shirt is made with 100% organic cotton which is GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified.

Candiani have great sustainability credentials and make some of the best quality denim in the world that is a joy to wear. Plant based (biodegradable, non toxic, microplastics free) sizing compound is used in the dyeing process replacing all hazardous chemicals that are commonly used in the denim industry.

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.

Care Guide

Wash as little as possible.

When you really need to wash it, either soak in the bath in lukewarm water then drip dry or 20 degree machine wool wash, no spin and drip dry. Spinning will result in shit looking fade creases.

Avoid white upholstery as this colour will transfer until you’ve worn it in and washed it..

Fit & Sizing Guide

Ed wears a size medium shirt in the photos. He’s 5’8″ and 10.5 stone.

Will fit a sweatshirt or light jumper underneath.
16oz denim is initially stiff but will soften with wear.

Because it’s a thick kilo-and-a-half shirt, it’s more fitted so if you want it loose go up a size.

Any questions at all please email us and we’ll do our best to guide you.

  • INCHES
  • CM
SIZE S M L XL 2XL 3XL
Pit to Pit (A) 21.5 22.4 23.9 25.4 26.9 28.3
Back Length (B) 28.7 29.1 29.7 30.3 30.9 31.5
Sleeve Length (C) 25.8 26.0 26.3 26.6 26.9 27.2
SIZE S M L XL 2XL 3XL
Pit to Pit (A) 54.5 57 60.75 64.5 68.25 72
Back Length (B) 73 74 75.5 77 78.5 80
Sleeve Length (C) 65.5 66 66.75 67.5 68.25 69

8 reviews for Iron Shirt

  1. Mark Wilcox

    In a word, tremendous! Like buttoning up a suit of armour. Full of quality. Can’t wait to see how it wears in over time.

  2. Carl Lewis

    Got the iron shirt as a crimbo present great shirt.
    Previously brought the GVNR 16 jeans now I feel like a double denim king.

  3. Tony Deegan (verified owner)

    Never been let down by these guys and this shirt doesn’t disappoint either.

  4. James Aitchison (verified owner)

    I wish all my mistakes turned out this well. Seriously, this is a hench shirt that is amazingly comfortable.

  5. m.siva-jothy (verified owner)

    The chonkiest shirt you will ever own.

  6. Darren Robinson (verified owner)

    Already have the 8.5oz shirt but was intrigued by the heftyness of this (also, maybe the marketing).
    Arrived today and it’s just the dog’s doodah! Honestly, better than the M16 jacket. Keep on cocking up, if this is the result.

  7. jawbreakeretc1944 (verified owner)

    If you’re going to fuck up then fuck up like this. Spot on fit as usual, beautiful deep blue denim and you can tell it’s going to break in so well. I can get all my usual clutter in the pockets and still have room for an emergency pie. Brilliant bit of kit

  8. kobachisage (verified owner)

    The finest shirt I have ever owned, I will be sending it a Valentines card next year & I hope my girlfriend understands

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