Mister Freedom® “PIONEER” Jacket, Wool Shadow Plaid, FW2020 mfsc “TRUCK STOP” collection. Made in Japan.

 

Mister Freedom® PIONEER Jacket ©2020

Mister Freedom® PIONEER Jacket ©2020

Mister Freedom® PIONEER Jacket ©2020

Mister Freedom® PIONEER Jacket ©2020

Mister Freedom® PIONEER Jacket ©2020

Mister Freedom® PIONEER Jacket ©2020

Mister Freedom® PIONEER Jacket ©2020

Mister Freedom® PIONEER Jacket ©2020

Mister Freedom® PIONEER Jacket, 21¼ Oz. wool shadow plaid edition.
FW2020 mfsc TRUCK STOP collection.
Made in Japan.

The Mister Freedom® PIONEER Jacket is our take on classic westernwear men’s jackets, a style popular in the 1950s-60s.
Labels such as “Pioneer Wear”, “Lasso”, “Trego’s Westwear”, “Land-N-Lakes” and others, all produced models with a similar design, feeding the demand for the “urban cowboy” look.
The fashionable western jacket style basically merged two worlds, the classic tailored menswear high lapel roll single-breasted blazer with the iconic western yoke design. The jackets reconciled rugged Wild West/dude ranch with city slicker fashions, without falling into Grand Ole Opry flashy stage garb. The commun thread was the appeal of the vanished “open range” in American psyche, still glamorized by Hollywood at the time.
The outdoor vibe of those western blazers was enhanced by the choice of fabrics, preferably a trade blanket type, woodsman style wool plaid, or other “frontier days” textile references. The functional expansion pleats “sport back” construction of 1950s models added to the utilitarian vibe.
By the 1970s, popular culture viewed truckers as “the last of the cowboys”, and many wildcatters donned their own mix of western fashion.

We put all those influences in the MF® blender, and came up with our hybrid, the PIONEER Jacket. We settled on a specific top block western yoke arcuate, scalloped pocket flaps and swing-back pattern combination. We opted for no padding for a deconstructed silhouette.

This version of the PIONEER features a vintage-inspired shadow plaid heavy wool fabric with a soft hand recently-developed by our friends at Sugar Cane, who know a thing or two about timeless textiles. The lining also highlights SC’s expertise at re-milling Americana classics, and consists of a 100% cotton woven plaid typical of vintage workwear heavy flannel shirts.
The jacket is complimented by classic woven (genuine) leather shank buttons, for an extra layer of westerner out-on-the-town goodness.

The Mister Freedom ® PIONEER jacket is designed in California by Mister Freedom® and manufactured in Japan in collaboration with Sugar Cane Co.

SPECS:

FABRIC:
Shell: Heavy 21.25 Oz. soft-hand wool fabric, shadow plaid with dominant black/blue/grey. Milled in Japan.
Lining: 100% cotton woven plaid heavy flannel, natural/navy/red dominant. Milled in Japan.

DETAILS:
* An original pattern inspired by vintage westernwear jackets designed for the 1950s-60s urban cowboy.
* Deconstructed silhouette.
* High lapel roll.
* Western arcuate yoke on front/back top block.
* Swing-back expansion pleats construction.
* Scalloped pocket flaps with plaid flannel facing accents.
* Woven (genuine) leather shank buttons.
* Original mfsc “Truck Stop” woven label.
* Designed in California.
* Made in Japan.

SIZING/FIT:
The PIONEER Jacket comes ready-to-wear and does not require any pre-treatment or soaking.
This jacket is considered true-to-size. We recommend getting your usual size in mfsc jackets. If you are a 38 in our Ranch Blouse or Campus pattern (granted they are pears and apples), you are most-likely a 38 in the PIONEER.
Note that the vertical mechanical stretch of this specific heavy wool woven plaid fabric is quite noticeable when you pull down on the jacket’s front & back panels, giving about an inch play with an average “natural recovery” (= the fabric’s ability to return to its initial size after being stretched.)
I opted for a medium, for a comfortable fit.  I am 5.7’’ approx. 150 Lbs.

Please refer to sizing chart for approximate measurements. Do consider the thickness of the shell/lining combo and mechanical stretch when comparing these measurements to those of a jacket of a similar style that fits you well.

Mister Freedom® PIONEER Jacket ©2020

CARE:

Professional dry clean ONLY, from your local eco-friendly facility.

Available 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 [email protected] or call 323-653-2014 with any questions unanswered above.
Thank you for your support.

Christophe Loiron
Mister Freedom®
©2020

Mister Freedom® “Naval Clothing Tailor” (NCT) CHINOS, 12 Oz. “Okinawa” denim, mfsc FW2020 “Waterfront Surplus”. Made in Japan.

Mister Freedom® NTC Chinos Okinawa ©2020

Mister Freedom® NTC Chinos Okinawa ©2020

Mister Freedom® NTC Chinos Okinawa ©2020

Mister Freedom® NTC Chinos Okinawa ©2020

Mister Freedom® NTC Chinos Okinawa ©2020

Mister Freedom® NTC Chinos Okinawa ©2020

Mister Freedom® “NAVAL CLOTHING TAILOR” (NCT) CHINOS, 12Oz “301 Okinawa” SC denim.
FW2020 mfsc “Waterfront Surplus” catalog.
Made in JAPAN.

This pattern was part of the original line-up of the small grouping that somewhat managed to put us on the fashion map sometime in 2008, i.e. the Mister Freedom® x Sugar Cane Co “MFSC Naval Clothing Tailor” (NCT) capsule collection.
For the nostalgics, we still unearth remnants from our ship’s stowage occasionally, a misplaced stack here, mislabeled box there, and we update inventory with New Old Stock (NOS).
A reissue of the original chino twill model was released for our 2016 mfsc ten-year anniversary, and we have issued several iterations of that pattern through the years.

Our NCT Chinos are inspired by 1940’s US Army chino trousers, a pattern plausibly revisited by a Naval Base tailor at some point, featuring a mix of period Mil-Specs and fancy civvy custom tailoring. The cut is fairly representative of our early days, featuring a slimmer leg and lower rise than military originals. We were at the time morphing the high-waisted and baggy cuts of 1930s-40s utilitarian designs with European tailored silhouettes. Most of our bottoms today feature a higher rise than our NCT Chinos.

For Fall 2020, we are introducing a denim model of the NCT Chinos pattern, cut from an old mfsc favorite, a 12Oz. “301 Okinawa” selvedge denim exclusively developed and trademarked by Sugar Cane Co in Japan. That special Left Hand Twill (LHT) denim has been milled in several fabric weights by SC through the years, but consistently consists of a blend of 20% Okinawan recycled sugar cane fibers and 80% cotton. The sugar cane fibers, a by-product of the sugar cane industry, are responsible for the slubby and “hairy” quality of the twill, and, full disclaimer, we have heard stories about customers plucking out prickly fibers in the weave with tweezers!

One of the more desirable characteristics of this premium denim is the combination of both a dark indigo warp and rapid fading ability. MF® OG denimheads will attest to the rewarding patina potential of the Okinawa denim family.

The pocket bags are cut from an old mfsc classic fabric, a fancy striped ticking twill inspired by antique French textiles. For a subdued demeanor, we kept the stitching tonal and opted for black-painted metal donut-type tack buttons for the fly and waistband.
The decorative arcuate stitch on the slash and welt pocket openings is a detail borrowed from early European tailoring. The leg construction uses flat-felled seams and the Okinawa selvedge is displayed in each pocket facing.

The Mister Freedom® NCT Chinos “Okinawa” denim edition, are designed in California by Mister Freedom® and manufactured in collaboration with Sugar Cane Co in Japan.

FABRIC:
“Okinawa 301” denim, 12 Oz. left-hand twill indigo denim, “hairy” and slubby, solid white selvedge ID. Milled in Japan on narrow shuttle looms, from a blend of 20% Okinawan recycled sugar cane fibers and 80% cotton.

SPECS:
* Pattern inspired by vintage 1940’s US Army chino trousers, custom-made military garments and early European tailoring.
* Stripe ticking 100% cotton pocketing and waistband facing.
* Button fly, black-painted metal donut-type tack buttons.
* Thin trousers-style belt-loops.
* Arcuate decorative stitching on front slash pockets and back welt pockets, with concealed selvedge ID on pocket facing.
* Watch pocket, with concealed selvedge ID.
* Flat-felled leg seams.
* Tonal 100% cotton hi-count stitching.
* Woven mfsc “Waterfront Surplus” rayon label on inside waistband.
* Designed in USA.
* Made in JAPAN.

SIZING/FIT:
The Mister Freedom® NCT Chinos in “Okinawa” denim come RAW/unwashed. The garment is cut so that the measurements match the labeling after an initial cold soak/line dry. The denim will shrink to tagged size after an initial cold soak.
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 W32 for a comfortable fit. I hemmed my pair to my preferred length with a traditional 1¾ fold. I am 5.7’’ approx. 150 Lbs.
Please refer to sizing chart for approximate raw/soaked measurements.

Mister Freedom® NTC Chinos Okinawa ©2020

CARE:
Wash when necessary, using appropriate methods pertaining to premium denim.
We recommend turning garment inside-out to avoid potential marbling of the denim fabric. Wash separately from light-colored garments.
Machine wash with cold water, gentle cycle, eco-friendly mild detergent and line dry. Using a heat dryer may result in excessive and irreversible shrinkage.
As with all indigo-dyed denim, temporary croaking (color bleeding) is to be expected, as the indigo color could potentially rub on light color garments and furniture. Indigo rubs can easily be spot cleaned using a small amount of laundry detergent on a clean damp cloth.

Available RAW (unwashed)

Waist 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 and 38.

Available from www.misterfreedom.com, our Los Angeles brick & mortar store, and fine retailers around the World.
Email [email protected] or call 323-653-2014 with any questions unanswered above.
Thank you for your support.

Christophe Loiron
Mister Freedom®
©2020

Mister Freedom® “PRIVATEER” Rollneck Sweater, Indigo and Ecru Cotton Rib Knit, mfsc FW2020 “Waterfront Surplus”. Made in Japan.

Mister Freedom® PRIVATEER Rollneck cotton rib sweater ©2020

Mister Freedom® PRIVATEER Rollneck cotton rib sweater ©2020

Mister Freedom® PRIVATEER Rollneck cotton rib sweater ©2020

Mister Freedom® PRIVATEER Rollneck cotton rib sweater ©2020

Mister Freedom® PRIVATEER Rollneck cotton rib sweater ©2020

Mister Freedom® PRIVATEER Rollneck cotton rib sweater ©2020

Mister Freedom® PRIVATEER Rollneck cotton rib sweater ©2020

Mister Freedom® PRIVATEER Rollneck cotton rib sweater ©2020

Mister Freedom® PRIVATEER Rollneck cotton rib sweater ©2020

Mister Freedom® PRIVATEER Rollneck cotton rib sweater ©2020

Mister Freedom® PRIVATEER Rollneck cotton rib sweater ©2020

Mister Freedom® PRIVATEER Rollneck cotton rib sweater ©2020

Mister Freedom® PRIVATEER Rollneck cotton rib sweater ©2020

Mister Freedom® PRIVATEER Rollneck cotton rib sweater ©2020

 

Mister Freedom® PRIVATEER Rollneck cotton rib sweater ©2020

Mister Freedom® PRIVATEER Rollneck cotton rib sweater ©2020

Mister Freedom® PRIVATEER Rollneck cotton rib sweater ©2020

Mister Freedom® PRIVATEER Rollneck cotton rib sweater ©2020

Mister Freedom® PRIVATEER Rollneck cotton rib sweater ©2020

Mister Freedom® PRIVATEER Rollneck cotton rib sweater ©2020

Mister Freedom® “PRIVATEER” Rollneck Sweater, Indigo and Ecru Cotton Rib Knit.
FW2020 mfsc “Waterfront Surplus”.
Made in Japan.

The pattern of the MF® PRIVATEER Rollneck is inspired by an older crew neck casual cotton sweater from our archives, to which we mounted a classic high rolled collar, turtleneck or rollneck, giving the resulting hybrid its nautical vibe.

Vintage prototype of the MF® PRIVATEER (rollneck is Photoshopped in) with pattern edits ©2020

We kept the textured 1×1 “fisherman” rib knit of the original, along with the raglan sleeve construction, but extended the seamless cuffs and bottom webbing for an older sweater vibe. The overall proportions were tweaked for a shorter vintage silhouette that pairs well with high-waisted pants.

We opted for 100% cotton knit, a more SoCal-friendly and less allergy-inducing option than traditional rollneck wool sweaters. Our PRIVATEER is definitely not intended as a contender to a wool submariner’s jumper in the warmth department, but is rather devised as a casual mid-season piece for temperate climates, leading to extra playtime disguised as Captain Haddock in Sunny California.

The original sample that inspired our PRIVATEER was pure white and we chose to hand-dye it indigo during R&D. We liked the results, so for production, we settled on two color options: a specific warm tone of ecru matched from an old vintage Aran sweater, and the medium indigo blue shade matched from our back-yard dyed prototype.

The MF® PRIVATEER is designed in California by Mister Freedom® and manufactured in Japan in collaboration with Sugar Cane Co.

FABRIC:
100% cotton 1×1 rib knit, “fisherman” rib pattern or “Brioche” stitch type.
Two color options:
1) “Aran” ecru.
2) Indigo blue.

SPECS:
* An original hybrid mfsc pattern, inspired by casual sweaters and vintage nautical jumpers.
* Single fold ribbed rollneck.
* “Fisherman” rib knit stitch body.
* 100% cotton knit.
* Raglan sleeve pattern with contrast rib pattern mounting.
* Large seamless ribbed waistband.
* Foldable extended and seamless ribbed cuffs.
* Original mfsc “Waterfront Surplus” woven rayon label.
* Made in JAPAN.

SIZING/FIT:
The PRIVATEER Rollneck, in both ecru and indigo, comes pre-shrunk and is ready-to-wear as-is. No soaking required.
This garment is considered true-to-size. I opted for a medium, for a comfortable fit.

The specific “Fisherman” rib allows horizontal (crosswise) stretch, with good natural recovery (= the knit’s ability to return to its initial size after being stretched.)
Therefore, measurements can be misleading, as with all stretchy knit garments.
We do recommend sticking to your usual MF® size with the  PRIVATEER Rollneck. If you are a Medium in mfsc shirting, you are more-likely a Medium in this sweater, regardless of our chart measurements. The arms might feel a bit snug and first, and pulling your head though the neck might feel a bit tight, but the sweater will settle naturally after a few minutes of wear.
I am wearing a chambray Snipes shirt underneath a Medium PRIVATEER in the fit photos, and am 5’7 approx 150Lbs.

Mister Freedom® PRIVATEER Rollneck cotton rib sweater ©2020

Mister Freedom® PRIVATEER Rollneck cotton rib sweater ©2020

CARE:
Turn sweater inside out. Machine wash on DELICATE, cold water, mild eco-friendly detergent. Air dry flat on a clean towel, or hang dry on a well-padded hanger to avoid shoulder stretching.
Light fuzzing or piling may occur temporarily and will subside.
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 PRE-SHUNK
Sizes
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 [email protected] or call 323-653-2014 with any questions unanswered above.
Thank you for your support.

Christophe Loiron
Mister Freedom®
©2020

Mister Freedom® FEED CAP, Snapback, Five-Panel “Malibu” denim & Six-Panel NOS Cone denim. Union made in USA.

Mister Freedom® FEED CAP ©2020

Mister Freedom® FEED CAP ©2020

Mister Freedom® FEED CAP ©2020

Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Jacket ©2020

Mister Freedom® FEED CAP ©2020

Mister Freedom® FEED CAP ©2020

Mister Freedom® FEED CAP ©2020

Mister Freedom® FEED CAP ©2020

Mister Freedom® FEED CAP ©2020

Mister Freedom® FEED CAP ©2020

Mister Freedom® FEED CAP ©2020

Mister Freedom® FEED CAP ©2020

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 [email protected] or call 323-653-2014 with any questions unanswered above.
Thank you for your support.

Christophe Loiron
Mister Freedom®
©2020

Mister Freedom® “MAVERICK” Jacket, Faux Shearling lining, Ice-Blu and Malibu selvedge denim, solid and combo edition, FW2020 mfsc “TRUCK STOP” collection. Made in Japan.

Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Jacket ©2020

Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Jacket ©2020

Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Jacket ©2020

Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Jacket ©2020

Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Ice Denim, FW2020 mfsc “Truck Stop” Collection ©2020

Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Jacket ©2020

Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Jacket ©2020

Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Jacket ©2020

Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Jacket ©2020

Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Jacket ©2020

Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Jacket ©2020

Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Ice & Malibu Denim combo, FW2020 mfsc “Truck Stop” Collection ©2020

Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Jacket ©2020Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Jacket ©2020

Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Jacket ©2020

Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Jacket ©2020

Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Jacket ©2020

Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Jacket ©2020

Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Jacket ©2020

Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Jacket ©2020

Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Jacket ©2020

Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Malibu Denim, FW2020 mfsc “Truck Stop” Collection ©2020

Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Jacket ©2020

Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Jacket ©2020

Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Jacket ©2020

Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Jacket ©2020

Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Jacket ©2020

Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Jacket ©2020

The 2020 Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Jacket and 2015 Speedways are cut from the same 13 Oz. “Malibu” denim.

Mister Freedom® MAVERICK Jacket ©2020

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 [email protected] or call 323-653-2014 with any questions unanswered above.
Thank you for your support.

Christophe Loiron
Mister Freedom®
©2020