Mister Freedom® FEED CAP, Snapback.
Five-panel model, Malibu denim edition
&
Six-Panel model, NOS Cone denim edition.
Union made in USA.
We are adding another goodie to our all made-in-USA Sportsman Catalog for FW2020, a Mister Freedom® spin on an American classic, the ubiquitous “Trucker Hat”.
This five or six panel style became popular in the early 1970s, having replaced the peaked cap predecessors sported by Union teamsters. See this excellent photographic record of 1930s-40s truck drivers documented by the FSA (Farm Security Administration) at the time. The flick “They Drive By Night” (1940) is worth a viewing, if only for Bogey and his peers’ wildcatter fashion.
Forwarding some 30 years later, the updated 1970s trucker hats were one-size-fits-all and bordered on marketing genius. They were much cheaper to manufacture than the more substantial military-style “mechanic’s cap”, and could easily be mass-produced. Branded with a printed logo or patch, they proved to be excellent advertising media for corporate brands. Most were initially distributed as free promotional merchandise in truck stops and rural feed stores. Trucker hats, initially a marker of “working class anti-fashion”, soon permeated American pop culture and became a staple of hipster fashion.
Early models of 1970s trucker hats are the inspiration for our MF® FEED CAP.
First we sourced a reliable USA manufacturer for the project, a Union-operated company willing to deal with our antics and demanding specifics. We started developing two distinct models. The tricky part was to suggest that we would supply our own fabrics, and they came in narrow 32″ looms… We are grateful for the patience these guys showed!
The first option of our MF® FEED CAP is a five panel pattern, in classic 1970s “trucker hat” fashion, an obvious choice to match our FW2020 mfsc TRUCK STOP story. It features the typical trucker high crown, partial mesh sides, and adjustable plastic snapback. We are releasing it in “Malibu” denim, a 13 Oz. medium indigo selvedge twill, an old mfsc favorite, same fabric as the FW2020 Malibu Maverick Jacket. Some of the photos featuring a well-worn on 2016 Malibu Cowboy Jacket show the denim fading potential, with low contrast but beautiful hues of indigoes.
We played with thread, eyelets, and mesh colors for a 1970s denim brand promo cap vibe.
The second model of MF® FEED CAP is a six panel pattern, with a lower profile, closer to a baseball cap, classic US Navy ship hat or “dad’s hat” vibe. It is full denim, and will compliment your Texas tuxedo nicely. That fabric is quite special for us, as it is from a leftover roll of the NOS Cone Mills 12 Oz. selvedge denim twill we cut our original 2010 Californian Lot.54 from.
This beautiful non-sanforized indigo denim twill had been exclusively developed by Cone for Levi’s® for their vintage line years ago, and we were lucky to score some NOS overstock yardage around 2009. The denim proved to fade beautifully over the years, as well-worn pairs of old Californian Lot.54 attest.
We also opted for contrast stitching for this model, with an orange color thread reminiscent of 1960s-70s vintage promo denim products.
Both models feature our classic mfsc “Sportsman” woven label on the rear panel, and the crown is left blank. You can add your personal touch with a patch, buttons or pins.
The Mister Freedom® FEED CAPS five & six panel edition are designed in California and manufactured in USA in a Union-operated facility.
SPECS:
FABRIC OPTIONS:
1) Five Panel Model: Combination denim & orange mesh.
Medium indigo 13 Oz. “MALIBU” denim twill, solid white selvedge ID, milled in Japan.
2) Six Panel Model: Full denim.
NOS Cone Mills 12 Oz. denim twill, white/pink line selvedge ID, milled in USA.
SPECS:
Five-Panel “Malibu” Model:
* An original Mister Freedom® design inspired by vintage 1970s “trucker” hats and other classic promotional headwear.
* Classic five-panel pattern.
* Structured high crown, “Feed Cap” style classic tall profile.
* Partial mesh side panels.
* Adjustable snapback, one size fits all.
* Contrast stitching.
* Mfsc woven label on rear panel.
* Union-made in USA.
Six-Panel “NOS Cone” Model:
* An original Mister Freedom® design inspired by vintage 1970s “trucker” hats, baseball caps, US Navy ship caps and other classic promotional headwear.
* Classic six-panel pattern.
* Structured mid crown, “Baseball cap” style classic lower profile.
* Adjustable snapback, one size fits all.
* Contrast stitching.
* Mfsc woven label on rear panel.
* Union-made in USA.
SIZING/FIT:
The MF® FEED CAPS are cut from rigid denim, but are ready to wear as-is, no pre-soak needed. The stiffness of loomstate denim is normal, and is due to the starch in the fibers. The stiffness will subside overtime with normal wear.
Both models have their own profile and fit, but are one-size-fits-all. The adjustable snapback rear plastic tab will allow most user to set the headband circumference to a comfortable fit.
CARE:
Spot cleaning only, using a damp cloth to wipe the inner headband when necessary. Minimal detergent, thoroughly rinsing the cloth during final cleaning stages.
Immersing the FEED CAP in cold water and carefully hand-rubbing as a final rinse is OK, but do not throw in the washing machine in either regular or delicate wash cycle, as this will most-likely ruin the cap. Do not wring the cap either.
Look-up “baseball cap hat form” or “cap washer” if you can’t resist the urge of using a washing machine. Again, if the goal is to hasten patina, this is not a good idea. Just like with all denim garments and gear, extended wear is the only way to generate natural patina.
Available RAW (unwashed)
One -Size-Fits-ALL.
Available from www.misterfreedom.com, our Los Angeles brick & mortar store, and fine retailers around the World.
Email sales@misterfreedom.com or call 323-653-2014 with any questions unanswered above.
Thank you for your support.
Christophe Loiron
Mister Freedom®
©2020
 Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Ice Denim, FW2020 mfsc “Truck Stop” Collection ©2020 
 Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Ice & Malibu Denim combo, FW2020 mfsc “Truck Stop” Collection ©2020  
 Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Malibu Denim, FW2020 mfsc “Truck Stop” Collection ©2020 
 The 2020 Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Jacket and 2015 Speedways are cut from the same 13 Oz. “Malibu” denim. 
Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Jacket, Faux Shearling lining, Ice-Blu & Malibu selvedge denim edition.
FW2020 mfsc TRUCK STOP collection.
Made in Japan.
Textile fur (aka faux fur) seems to have appeared in fashion sometime the 1910’s, when fabric mills equipped with imposing double needle bar Raschel warp-knitting machines started recreating the feel and looks of animal fur, using concepts previously used to mill corduroy, velvet, carpets. The resulting pile fabric made of looping yarns could be made plush and fluffy, and its appeal rapidly grew. See this brief Smithsonian Mag article.
During WW2, starting in 1943, wool (alpaca) pile linings were commonly used in US military cold weather uniforms.
Synthetic fibers such as Orlon® were introduced starting in 1948, and by the late 1950s, all kinds of imitation fur textures were made available to fashionistas.
Acrylic faux shearling (imitating sheep skin) seems to have become a popular lining option for western-style garments in the late 1960s, still sharing the stage with traditional wool blanket-lined insulation for some time. By the following decade, acrylic pile linings were definitely a staple in casual and outdoor fashion.
Sometimes referred to as sherpa lining, a term subject to endless online arguments in the keyboard cowboy community, the familiar off-white pile has been paired with all kinds of shell materials through its existence, corduroy, rough-out leather, velvet, nylon, … and of course denim.
Vintage specimen of old 1960s-70s Towncraft® jackets (JC Penney’s house brand), Roebucks® (Sears’ western-wear division), and other “x-bar-x” labeled coats (H bar C, J bar C, J bar T…) featuring the fluffy liner abound.
In the 1980s, Levi’s introduced its iconic four-pocket trucker lined with faux shearling, definitely making a dent in fashion history with the follow-up release of dreadful “acid-wash” specimen dear to 1990s style revivalists today.
Confusingly, the polyester fleece commonly associated with hi-tek mountaineering gear today, initially developed in 1979 by Aaron Feuerstein’s Malden Mills, and subsequently put to good use by pioneer outdoor clothing visionary Yvon Chouinard and others, is also referred-to as sherpa by many. That fabric actually belongs to the polar fleece family, and is quite a departure from faux shearling.
Design-wise, our MAVERICK jacket is inspired by 1960s-70s fashion ranch coats with textile fur pile linings, and other sherpa-style outdoor togs.
The body pattern draws its inspiration from a 1970s Roebucks® western denim jacket from our archives. These vintage coats are not rare and hardly desirable for collectors, as they were always cut from cheap poly-cotton denim at the time. So we thought of combining the style with premium selvedge denim, spicing-up the original utilitarian design with a plethora of details á la MF® for good measure.
For the occasion, we reached out to our friends at Toyo Enterprise to develop an original MF® 1950s-style snap brass button, a respectful reference to vintage Levi’s rough-out leather jackets front closure.
Like in the original Roebuck® jacket design, the hand-warmer pockets are cleverly incorporated in the vertical panel seam, but we added a snap closure and two copper rivets pocket stops.
The bottom patch pockets feature our familiar arched “M” stitch, fully visible when lifting the fluffy flaps.
We tricked-out the arm/cuff pattern, blending-in the intricate construction of older railroad type denim work coats, a sleeve style previously featured on our 2012 Faro Sack Coat and 2013 Hacendado Sack Coat.
For ease of movement, the arms are partially lined in vintage-inspired woven plaid cotton flannel fabric, red dominant and brown dominant, both yardage remnants from the Sugar Cane catalog.
The large notch lapel flashing the pile lining gives the MAVERICK its 1970s ranch-wear vibe, and the arcuate top block allowed us to play with classic western yoke contrast. There are three options for our FW2020 MAVERICK Jacket, because we could not bring ourselves to pick only two favorite children: solid Malibu, solid Ice-Blu, and Ice-Blu/Malibu combo.
The two denims are old mfsc favorites. First is the 13 Oz. “Malibu Sea” denim introduced in 2015 with our Speedways, 2016 Cowboy Jacket, and 2017 Conductor Jacket with matching slacks. Second is the smashing 12 Oz. “ICE-BLU” denim unveiled this glorious 2020 year, in both the Ranch Blouse and Californian Lot.674 patterns.
We opted for contrast stitching, combining yellow and orange thread for two models, and solid ivory white for the solid ICE-BLU version.
The MAVERICK Jacket, Ice-Blu and Malibu denim edition, is designed in California by Mister Freedom® and manufactured in Japan by Sugar Cane Co.
Fabric:
Two distinct fabrics:
* Original mfsc “ICE-BLU” denim twill, 12 Oz. twill, light indigo blue warp x ecru weft, solid white selvedge ID, milled in Japan.
* Original mfsc “MALIBU SEA” denim twill, 13 Oz., medium indigo-dyed warp x ecru weft, solid white selvedge ID. Milled in Japan.
Three options:
1) Solid ICE-BLU.
2) Solid MALIBU.
3) ICE-BLU x MALIBU combo.
SPECS
* An original mfsc pattern, inspired by vintage 1960s-70s Ranch coats and western denim jackets.
* ¾ length.
* Faux shearling fur body lining, 100% acrylic pile fabric, aka “sherpa”.
* Woven plaid cotton flannel fabric arm lining.
* Wide notch lapel, arcuate panels, pocket flaps and cuffs shearling accents.
* Hand warming slash pockets incorporated in vertical panel seam.
* Copper rivet pocket stops.
* “M” stitch on hip pockets with flaps.
* Original vintage-style MF® branded brass snaps closure.
* Contrast stitching (ivory white on Ice-Blu and yellow/orange combo on Malibu/Ice-Blu)
* Intricate adjustable cuff construction.
* Original mfsc “Truck Stop” woven label.
* Made in Japan.
SIZING/FIT:
All three versions of the MF® MAVERICK Jacket come RAW/unwashed. The garment is cut so that the measurements match the labeling after an initial cold soak/line dry.
We recommend this usual protocol before wear:
- Cold soak for about 30-40mn with occasional hand agitation.
- Washing machine spin dry.
- Line dry. (No heat dryer)
I opted for a 38 Medium in each version, for a snug yet comfortable fit. I am 5.7’’ approx. 150 Lbs.
When comparing our chart measurements with those of a similar coat you own that fits you well, do consider the fluffy lining thickness.
Please refer to sizing chart for approximate raw/soaked measurements. Soaked = 30mn cold soak, spin dry and line dry.
  
CHART
CARE:
This garment is bulky and weighs quite a bit when wet, so we do not recommend using a home washing machine for cleaning. This may cause unattractive marbling of the denim fabric, and may damage both the garment and the machine, even on delicate cycle.
When necessary, we recommend hand-washing, cold water, mild eco-friendly detergent. Hang dry.
Using a heat dryer is also not recommended and may result in excessive and irreversible shrinkage.
Available RAW (unwashed)
Sizes
Small (36)
Medium (38)
Large (40)
X-Large (42)
XX-Large (44)
Available from www.misterfreedom.com, our Los Angeles brick & mortar store, and fine retailers around the World.
Email sales@misterfreedom.com or call 323-653-2014 with any questions unanswered above.
Thank you for your support.
Christophe Loiron
Mister Freedom®
©2020
Mister Freedom® “SECOYA” Double-Panel Ventilated Work Shirt, selvedge “Winter King” heavy flannel edition.
FW2020 mfsc Surplus Collection.
Made in Japan.
The original Mister Freedom® “SECOYA” pattern was introduced sometime during Spring 2019, and initially released in a fine 3 Oz. indigo yarn “NTC” chambray, a fabric familiar to all mfsc OGs as it was the same indigo chambray used for the 2008 “Naval Clothing Tailor” Utility Shirt.
The SECOYA pattern combines two vintage garments, a rare 1930’s pull-over chin-strap work chambray with no label, and a 1940’s STURDY OAK work chambray with elaborate “Double-Panel” construction.
The defunct STURDY OAK label, the workwear division of Sears, Roebuck & Co, produced its famous “Double-Back / Double-Shoulder Yoke / Double-Underarm” pattern, often complimented with “Ventilation Eyelets”. Other bygone mail-order catalog companies such as Montgomery Ward & Co, Spiegel or JCPenney also offered their versions in the 1940’s -50’s, all full open button front shirts. We thought of combining the fancy “Double-Panel” pattern with a pull-over type shirt, and the MF® SECOYA was born.
The term Secoya is Bad Hombre parlance for sequoia, a semantic nod to the vintage Sturdy Oak specimen that inspired this MF® pattern.
For FW2020, we decided to introduce a plaid version of the SECOYA. We pulled an old vintage “Winter King” heavy flannel shirt from our archives for inspiration, as it featured a beautiful classic woven plaid of red dominant and genuine indigo yarns. Our friends at Toyo Enterprises milled a phenomenal selvedged interpretation in Japan, in a hefty 8.25 Oz. weight.
The resulting plaid is indeed quite smashing, with the unusual use of indigo yarn adding a new dimension to a classic heavy flannel type fabric of the “Big Mac” or “Five Bros” family.
Our colorful SECOYA is complemented by indigo poplin accents on the button placket and cuffs facing, that will all contribute to the shirt aging gracefully with normal wash and wear. The green ventilation stitched eyelets and white corozo wood cat-eyes buttons add a 1940s-1950s workwear touch.
The “SECOYA” Double-Panel Ventilated Work Shirt, “Winter King” heavy flannel edition is designed in California by Mister Freedom® and manufactured in Japan by Sugar Cane Co.
SPECS:
FABRIC:
Vintage-inspired 100% cotton classic woven plaid, 8.25 Oz., red dominant with genuine indigo yarns, solid white selvedge ID, milled in Japan.
DETAILS:
* An original mfsc pattern, inspired by vintage 1930’s-1940’s classic American fancy chambray work shirts.
* Pull-over style.
* “Double-Back / Double-Shoulder Yoke / Double-Underarm” pattern.
* Stitched ventilation Eyelets on underarm and back panels, green thread.
* Selvedge side gussets.
* Chin strap.
* Indigo poplin facing on front button placket/cuffs/chest pockets.
* White corozo wood “cat-eyes” buttons.
* Double chest pocketing, buttoned pockets.
* Concealed inside chest pocket
* High-count 100% cotton tonal stitching, chainstitch construction.
* Original MF® mfsc “Surplus” woven rayon label.
SIZING/FIT:
The SECOYA “Winter King” heavy flannel Work Shirt comes raw/unwashed. It is cut so that the measurements match the labeling after an initial cold rinse/line dry.
We recommend this usual protocol before wear:
- Cold soak for about 30-40mn with occasional hand agitation or one machine rinse cycle on delicate.
- Washing machine spin dry.
- Line dry. (No heat dryer)
We recommend wearing your usual mfsc shirting size, although I personally opted for a SMALL on the SECOYA heavy flannel. I am 5.7’’ approx. 150 Lbs.
Please refer to sizing chart for approximate raw/cold rinsed measurements. To reflect “real life” garment conditions, the shrink-tested shirts in the chart have been rinsed in a home washing machine, cold water, full spin cycle on delicate, and then line dried (no heat dryer.)
CHART
CARE:
Machine wash on DELICATE, cold water, mild eco-friendly detergent. Hang dry.
Do not use the washer’s heavy-duty cycle. Heat dryer is also not recommended and may result in excessive and irreversible shrinkage.
Available RAW (unwashed)
Sizes
X-Small
Small
Medium
Large
X-Large
XX-Large
Available from www.misterfreedom.com, our Los Angeles brick & mortar store, and fine retailers around the World.
Email sales@misterfreedom.com or call 323-653-2014 with any questions unanswered above.
Thank you for your support.
Christophe Loiron
Mister Freedom®
©2020
 Mister Freedom® SNIPES, BR chambray, raw ©2020  Mister Freedom® SNIPES, BR chambray, rinsed ©2020 
 Fabric evo: Mister Freedom® unworn “SNIPES Shirt” (2020) and well-worn “PATROL Shirt” (2014), featuring a completely different pattern, but cut from the same “BR” indigo chambray. 
Mister Freedom “SNIPES” Shirt, “BR” indigo blue 5 Oz. selvedge chambray.
FW 2020 mfsc “Waterfront Surplus” Collection.
Made in Japan.
The pattern of the MF® SNIPES is inspired by the earliest model of US Gov-issued full button front uniform shirt.
Identified as Specs “No. 8-26C Shirt, Flannel, Olive-Drab, Coat Style” by the Quartermaster Corps, it was introduced sometime in 1933 and issued to US Army and Air Corps personnel and FDR’s CCC enrollees alike. This new uniform shirt pattern was deemed “Coat Style”, marking a practical departure from its predecessor, the mustard color pullover wool shirt commonly associated with WW1 Doughboys. The overall design was borrowed from civilian workwear, back when utilitarian garment-making skills bordered on fancy tailoring prowess. This is definitely an intricate pattern by today’s workwear clothing standards.
Besides the full six-button front placket improvement, the characteristics of the early 8-26C shirt included a one-piece unstructured collar (no collar band), a singular style of elbow reinforcement patch, and two large functional chest pockets, each with a pen compartment.
The Mister Freedom® SNIPES Shirt retains all of that military design DNA, but we opted for an indigo blue chambray fabric treatment instead of the original US Army OD wool blend release. The slubby indigo chambray is complimented by the olive green contrast stitching and button facing poplin placket, with a touch of red on the side bartacks.
That premium selvedge chambray fabric is a favorite of ours. Developed by Buzz Rickson’s for their vintage US Navy utility shirts repros, it has become a staple of the mfsc shirting catalog for some time. See the Continental, Tonkinoise and Patrol Shirt, all released in that exact same fabric. Some of the product photos above feature a well-worn BR chambray Patrol Shirt from 2014, for fabric evo ref.
Blending 1930s US Army uniform shirt design with 1940-50s US Navy period mil-specs fabric, this original MF® shirt needed a new moniker. Because of the strong vintage naval utility chambray work shirt vibe, we went for SNIPES. The term refers to US Navy enlisted personnel working in the engine room, the “sailors that sail below”, also known as “Black Gang” for their grease-covered blues and dixie cup covers. See Machinist’s Mate Jake Holman’s dungarees for a Hollywood rendition.
The MF® SNIPES Shirt is designed in California by Mister Freedom® and manufactured in Japan by Sugar Cane Co.
FABRIC: Period mil-specs USN “Buzz Rickson’s” indigo blue chambray, slubby 5 Oz. fabric, white with blue line selvedge ID, milled in Japan.
SPECS:
* Pattern inspired by a vintage 1930’s US Army wool uniform classic.
* Full 6 button front opening.
* Rounded tails.
* Olive corozzo wood buttons.
* Two large utilitarian chest pockets with pen compartments.
* Unstructured one-piece collar.
* Elbow reinforcement patches.
* Olive poplin button placket facing.
* Chainstitch construction with narrow folder.
* All cotton olive color contrast stitching.
* Red bartack in lieu of side gussets.
* Original mfsc “Waterfront Surplus” woven rayon label.
* Made in Japan.
SIZING/FIT:
The BR chambray SNIPES Shirt comes RAW/unwashed. It is cut so that the measurements match the labeling after an initial cold soak/line dry.
We recommend this usual protocol before wearing:
- Cold soak for about 30-40mn, with occasional hand agitation.
- Spin dry and line dry.
- Hang until fully dry.
I personally opted for a MEDIUM for a comfortable fit. I am 5.7’’ approx. 150 Lbs., and although the SMALL did fit with more of a trim uniform silhouette, it was a bit too tight in the chest.
Please refer to sizing chart for approximate raw/soaked measurements. Soaked = 30mn cold soak, spin dry and line dry.
CHART
CARE:
Machine wash on DELICATE, cold water, mild eco-friendly detergent. Hang dry.
Wash with similarly-colored garments.
Do not use the washer’s heavy-duty cycle. Heat dryer is also not recommended and may result in excessive shrinkage.
Available RAW (unwashed)
Sizes
X-Small
Small
Medium
Large
X-Large
XX-Large
Available from www.misterfreedom.com, our Los Angeles brick & mortar store, and fine retailers around the World.
Email sales@misterfreedom.com or call 323-653-2014 with any questions unanswered above.
Thank you for your support.
Christophe Loiron
Mister Freedom®
©2020
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