For our latest Classic Men’s Look, "The Logger", we turned to writer and menswear tastemaker Will Halbert — a long-time Tricker’s fan and advocate for slower, more intentional style. Based in Liverpool, Will blends sharp insight with an Americana-leaning wardrobe full of hardy, heritage pieces.
We spoke to him about everything from fashion culture and fast fashion to what it’s like pulling on our Burford boot for the first time — and why he’ll never tire of a white tee and blue jeans.
On Personal Style & Inspiration
Let’s start with the basics… for those who don’t already know you, can you tell us a bit about what you do?
I’m a menswear writer who’s somehow developed a lovely following over on Instagram for the simple act of getting dressed in the morning.
How would you describe your personal style?
I always have a hard time with this one: Heritage-leaning, Americana-inflected, maybe? Unfussy, timeless, and trendless for the most part. I favour the simple, well-made stuff and I have a soft spot for workwear and militaria. I like garments that are inherently easy to wear; nothing too elaborate or codified or needlessly exclusive. Quiet utility. Which is just a ten-dollar way of saying I wear white tees and blue jeans most days.
Do you remember the moment you first got into clothes — when style started to matter to you?
Funnily enough, it was a well-made pair of boots that started me down the rabbit hole. I’ve always approached style with a kind of academic curiosity — not so much about sartorial rules, but the making itself. Those boots sparked a fascination with how and where things are made. I found myself deep in the world of leathers, tanning processes, cutting, clicking, welting — you name it. What struck me most was the sense of legacy embedded in the act of making something well. That was about 15 years ago. I still own those boots.
You’re a long-time fan of Tricker’s. What first drew you to the brand?
Writing in menswear, I’ve been lucky enough to visit the Tricker’s factory a few times over the years. The level of craft and attention to detail are second to none. There’s a clear pride in the work, too.
Tricker’s has always struck me as a down-to-earth brand in terms of what it makes. I mean, here’s a company producing best-in-class boots and shoes, with — what — two hundred years of know-how behind them? You’d expect footwear with that kind of lineage to come with a level of pretense or ceremony, but what you get instead is a no-fuss boot built to be worn, and worn hard.
On Content, Fast Fashion & Buying Better
As someone who creates style content, you’re surrounded by trends and constant newness. How do you stay grounded in what you actually want to wear?
It sounds like a bit of a cliché, but authenticity is really important to me. I love experimenting with concepts and styles, but I never want to feel like I’m playing dress-up. I have — or at least think I have — a pretty strong sense of what works on me, and I’m good at sticking to my guns.
I’m also someone who sees newness as something of a bad thing. I like my clothing old, worn-out, and lived-in. Things only get good when they stop being new.
Much of what you wear leans towards slow fashion — heritage brands, quality materials, timeless cuts. Why does that matter to you?
Having grown up in the ‘90s, I witnessed firsthand how fast fashion eroded people’s interest in — and respect for — how things were made. People got hooked on immediacy. Things got cheap, things became throwaway, and people just sort of tuned out to the importance of where their stuff came from. I think it’s important to be respectful of how and where your stuff is made.
I try not to browbeat anyone, but I do try to show people the value of investing in their pieces for the long term. To appreciate the subtle ways clothing ages, to repair where they can, and to see those repairs as something beautiful in themselves. I want people to wear their clothes into the ground. I want to tell people we don’t always need new things.
Do you think the way men dress is changing? Are you seeing more people moving towards quality over quantity?
I’m definitely seeing a stronger sense of intentionality come into play. And I love that men are actually talking about — and enjoying — their clothes now. There’s a whole world of communities getting deep into the most niche corners of menswear, from Goodyear-welted shoes to hand-linked socks. With those conversations comes a growing interest in quality, and that can only be a good thing.
What advice would you give to someone just starting to build a wardrobe they actually want to keep?
Ignore trends and nail your proportions. It sounds simple, but figuring out what genuinely fits and flatters you — not a model or some stranger on the internet — is key.
Get the basics right, too. Start with a well-made tee, sturdy jeans, and a solid pair of boots. That’s a foundation you can build on over time.
On Tricker’s & the Burford Boot
The Burford is a proper, no-nonsense Derby boot — how did it feel putting them on for the first time?
Properly solid stuff! At first glance, the Burford looks like a boot that’s going to wear you. But for all its might and heft, it’s surprisingly accommodating: comfortable right out of the box, with a satisfying, authoritative clomp from the Commando sole. I always tell people I’m six feet tall, but this is the first boot that made me believe it myself.
How do you see these fitting into your day-to-day? What would you wear them with?
The Burford strikes a lovely balance between rugged and refined. Not overly fancy, but just fancy enough. I stomped, tripped, splashed, and skidded through the woodlands in mine, but I could just as easily see them worn through the city or at the pub.
I think they work nicely with some selvedge denim or a heavy canvas work pant — maybe paired with a heavy thermal and flannel combo.
Do you approach boots differently from other footwear? What role do they play in your wardrobe?
I expect a lot from my boots. And I’m not leaning on cliché or hyperbole when I say I want them to outlive me. Buying a good pair is an investment — financial, of course, but emotional, too.
You’ll have them for decades. You’ll care for them: treat the leather, resole them when needed. They’ll age with your lifestyle, bearing the marks of your travels and mishaps in every scuff and striation. A few of mine still carry bite marks from pups who are now full-grown, grey-muzzled dogs. There’s something quietly beautiful in that, I think.
On Americana Style & The Logger Look
There’s a strong Americana influence in your style. What is it about American workwear and vintage that appeals to you?
Frankly, I think I bought wholesale into the mythologies of the cowboy and the frontiersman when I was a kid — and I’ve just never let go. Those are style archetypes burned into my brain.
But like I said, I’ve got an affinity for clothing you don’t need to baby: garments that tell stories, boots that look better with every mile. The finer things rarely stand up to the attrition of time, but workwear and vintage? They thrive on it.
Our latest Classic Men’s Look, The Logger, taps into those same roots: rugged boots, hard-wearing fabrics, pieces with purpose. How did it feel stepping into that look for the shoot?
It was a fun ride. Thick leathers and heavy waxed canvases made for a rugged, textured ensemble. Wearing them fresh out of the box — and straight off the rail — gives you a real appreciation for the break-in process.
After all, this is heavy workwear: built to take decades of use and abuse.
Do you think there’s something about that style — especially heritage workwear — that feels especially relevant right now?
I absolutely do. I think it’s one big pendulum swing. We’re all a bit fed up with the throwaway nature of fast fashion and fast living.
There’s a growing desire for a deeper connection with the things we own. Slowly but surely, we’re coming back around to the idea that we need to buy less, buy better, and take care of what we already have.
One Last Thing…
If you could only wear one outfit for the next ten years — what would it be?
Honestly, I’ve been wearing a white tee, blue jeans, and work boots for the last ten years, and I’ll happily do so for the next ten, too. That tee might need a wash though.
And lastly, what’s the best thing a piece of clothing can do?
It’s a confidence thing, for sure. I believe a good piece of clothing should make you feel self-assured and at ease with yourself.
Whether it’s a boot, a coat, or a comfy sock, a good piece should make you walk just a little bit taller.
Follow Will
Whether he’s talking boots, denim, or the quiet beauty of a well-worn white tee, Will Halbert brings a thoughtful, grounded perspective to menswear.
Follow him on Instagram @willhalbert for more insight, inspiration, and plenty of solid outfits.
Explore The Logger look and discover the Burford boot: built to go the distance.
