Some vintage inspiration out of the Mister Freedom® archives.
Mister Freedom® “Utes” boonies edition, Experimental Camouflage. “Saigon Cowboy” Spring 2015 flashback! Made in japan, chopped in USA.
The current sizzling temperatures in Los Angeles are slowly getting to us, and we’re having some “Saigon Cowboy” flashbacks… Beaucoup dinky dau, eh?
So we figured we’d give a few pairs of our camo Utility Trousers the boonies treatment, i.e. we chopped-up the legs for a local-made flair. We added a side pocket, made from the extra fabric, to store your wad of piastres or bottle of Bamiba.
Those not allergic to historical tidbits can refer to our original post, for Counter Insurgency Support Office (CISO) and other CIDG-related stories behind the design of these trousers. For more general background on why we chose controversial times such as the Vietnam War era to draw inspiration for our 2015 collection, see here.
There it is.
The “Utes” are designed in California by Mister Freedom® and manufactured in Japan by Sugar Cane Co, part of our SS2015 “Saigon Cowboy” mfsc collection.
FABRIC OPTIONS: An initially white-based 100% cotton HBT fabric, printed on both sides using a double-side rotary screen technique. Milled and printed in Japan. Face printed with an original Mister Freedom® “Experimental” camo pattern (inspired by the P1942 frogskin pattern).
Reverse printed with a solid cachou color (a reference to the caramel-like color typical of 1930’s French military canvas gear). a) HiLand camouflage out (arid terrain, lighter)/cachou in. b) LoLand camouflage out (jungle, darker)/cachou in. c) Cachou out (solid)/HiLand camouflage in.
DETAILS: * Special “Boonie” edition, hemmed bermuda length, with extra single side pocket added. * Inspired by vintage military utility trousers. * Slimmer ‘ARVN’-type silhouette. * Mid-high waisted. * Front patch pockets locked in side seam, rear patch pockets, horizontal HBT. * Side cinch tabs, mil-spec slide buckle. * Flat black-painted Metal “13 Stars” tack waist button. * Oxidized black donut-type fly buttons. * Flat felled seams, chainstitch. * 100% cotton tonal stitching. * Made in Japan, customized in USA.
SIZING: All three fabric options will measure the same after an initial cold soak/line dry process. The Boonies edition are cut to fall a bit above the knee, but silhouette will differ according to ones waist/height ratio.
Refer to sizing charts for approximate measurements.
Mister Freedom® “TRIPPER Bag”, Type II, NOS selvedge Denim, 2017 issue. Made in USA
For those of you trippin’ this summer, here is a new batch of our Type 2 Tripper Bag, 2013 issue. This 2017 Type 2 batch shares all of its 2013 predecessor’s specs, but features contrast stitching instead of tonal.
An original MF® pattern initially released in 2010, the Mister Freedom® Tripper bag has been so far issued as Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3. A few (not-yet documented) early prototype Type 4 in ‘midnight denim’ are also floating around, with limited availability from the MF® Los Angeles HQ.
The MF® Tripper Bag Type 2 is designedand made in California by Mister Freedom®, from NOS fabrics and NOS parts.
FABRIC: * Shell: Assorted New Old Stock indigo selvedge raw denim, about 13 Oz. * Lining: NOS woven stripe ticking, 100% cotton.
DETAILS * Webbing: Sturdy 100% cotton straps, unbleached white with woven navy blue stripes. * Top closure: Recycled military cotton webbing. Inside metal “D” ring for keys. * Approx. Size: Length 16” x Width 8” x Height 15” * Two outside box-pleat pockets, vintage A2 type “United Carr” snap closure for flap. * Two inside side pockets * One inside large pocket (14.5” x 11”), snap closure, fits a MacBook. * Indigo dyed HBT tape on inside seam. * Denim selvedge ID displayed on inside only. * Contrast stitching, ivory color. * White ID tape underneath outside pocket, for your perso custom marking/stenciling. * Limited Edition. * Made in USA.
Available cold-soaked and line-dry. One Size (Approx. L 16’’ x W 8’’ x H15”) Retail $449.95
VEB belt and MF® “Trench-Art” custom vintage 40’s French Army belt.
Assorted Mister Freedom® x Sugar Cane Co mfsc pants, 2010-2017. Made in USA or Japan.
A non-exhaustive retrospective of some mfsc pants we designed through the years, randomly selected from my closet, post laundry.
Normal on/off wear and periodical cold water wash, natural patina, no factory distressing. The bleached-out marks of some of the blue jeans come from sitting bundled-up on the roof for a few weeks, under the California sun.
Chemisette GUINGUETTE, piqué cotton. “Les Apaches” mfsc collection. Spring 2011
The MF® Chemisette Guinguette is another number that missed the boat… Waterskiing issues again.
This shirt was part of the line-up of our “Les Apaches” Spring 2011 collection, inspired by Paris of the Belle Époque and her infamous bands of flamboyant brigands. Read a brief intro here.
In order to locate an authentic operating guinguette, one can peruse Messy Nessy’s upcoming and promising “Don’t be a tourist in Paris” guidebook. However, to pair your Valseur with a lively partner, the Chemisette Guinguette is the ticket!
A bold move at the time (this was released in 2011, heydays of rugged denim workwear in the flourishing ‘Heritage’ movement), we opted for three jazzy color options of a fancy woven piqué fabric, 100% cotton, developed from a vintage 1920’s French polo shirt.
Time seems to alter the relevance of clothes when collections are designed from a pure flavor-of-the-month perspective, one of the evident downfall of fast fashion. Well, seven years later, we still dig these polo shirts and the pastel palette.
Whether mixing them with our latest Gypsy Blues duds, going for a 60’s vibe with a wheat Californian Lot.74 and Breezer combo, opting for a preppy look with some of our Continental Trousers or Sportsman Chinos, or cruising Yachting-style around the marina with white slacks, the Chemisettes Guinguette are versatile menswear classics, à la MF®.
The Chemisette Guinguette is designed in California by Mister Freedom® and manufactured in Japan by Sugar Cane Co.
Note: The chemisettes pictured in the fit pix have been extensively worn/washed, resulting in heavy color fading.
For more Art from Patrick Segui, the talented fella responsible for the amazing original painting featured on the MF® “Les Apaches” box tops, check-out his artist’s blog or his vintage clothing collector’s journal.
FABRIC: 100% cotton, ridged woven piqué, non-stretch, milled in Japan.
Three pastel color options: Yellow, Pink and Green.
SPECS: * Inspired by vintage 1920’s -1930’s French short-sleeve polo shirts.
* Slim silhouette.
* ¼ sleeves.
* “Hirondelle” collar.
* Arcuate back yoke and rear collar.
* Side slits.
* Narrow ‘French’ side seams.
* Made in Japan.
SIZING: The Chemisette Guinguette comes raw/un-washed and will shrink to tagged size after an initial cold soak and line dry process. True to size, this polo shirt fits rather slim with zero fabric stretch. I wear a fitted medium, my usual size in mfsc shirts.
Refer to chart for raw/cold soak measurements.
CHART
CARE: Low maintenance. Machine wash on delicate, cold water, minimal eco-friendly detergent. Line dry. Use of hot water/heat dryer may result in excessive shrinkage.
Available raw (un-washed) Sizes (French-style shirting sizing) 37 (Small) 39 (Medium) 41 (Large) 43 (X-Large)
Mister Freedom® “BREEZER” Windbreaker, Cotton/Rayon. Speedsafe mfsc collection, Spring 2010. Made in Japan.
So much for chronology on this blog…
With all the distractions that Sunny California provides, getting to officially introduce a 2010 garment in the middle of summer 2017 should come as no surprise. So there it is, our long-overdue MF® BREEZER, not a moment too soon.
The Spring 2010 “Breezer” Windbreaker was part of a motorcycle-based mfsc story, namely “Speedsafe Clothing For Modern Riders”, an early capsule collection from which our Mulholland Master was to become a classic highlight.
Borrowing its puny moniker from the famous McGregor® “Drizzler”, familiar to all vintage clothing aficionados, the MF® “Breezer” combines several vintage styles of windbreakers, old-school low-tech outdoor fabrics, and military summer flight jacket designs, into a cool sixties-vibe McQueenish jacket.
The expert Sugar Cane fabric mills re-created our version of the famed McGregor® magical windproof fabric, the one that always feels fresh! A double-face textile, one side cotton and one side rayon. The rayon twill side has a slight sheen, while the cotton side is rather ‘flat’. The Breezer is cut cotton side-out, while the rayon twill side is visible from the unlined reverse side, creating pleasant interaction with the skin while performing the Crane, which, if do good, no can defense.
The mfsc BREEZER Windbreaker is designed in California by Mister Freedom® and manufactured in Japan by Sugar Cane Co.
FABRIC: A tightly woven blend of 50% cotton (flat face) and 50% rayon twill (shinny reverse), milled in Japan.
Three color options: Cream, Royal Blue, Black.
Partial lining: NOS woven tartan, red/indigo, 100% cotton.
Note: A fourth version of the Breezer was issued in 100% cotton “midnight” denim twill, indigo warp x black weft, 10 Oz.
SPECS: * Inspired by vintage windproof casual jackets and USN/USMC pilot jacket designs.
* NOS red/indigo tartan partial lining.
* Three patch pockets (including unusual rear panel pocket).
* Concealed chest pocket.
* Tartan-lined snap stand collar and pocket flaps.
* 1950’s-style “Conmatic” metal zipper, with leather pull.
* Diamond-shaped elbow patches, M-421a style.
* Underarm expansion gussets.
* Fancy “Fiocchi” snaps, a-made in a-Italy.
* Woven “MF S/C Speedsafe” woven label.
* Made in Japan. (back in 2010)
SIZING/FIT: The cotton/rayon MF® Breezers are true to size, with a slim silhouette. I wear a Medium, my usual size in mfsc jackets.
Please refer to chart for measurements (unwashed).
CHART
CARE: We recommend DRY CLEANING only for these, at your local professional eco-friendly facility. The Breezer can alternately be delicately hand-washed, cold water/hang-dry, but BEWARE, some lining color bleeding might occur on the Cream version.
Available raw (un-washed) Sizes Small (36)
Medium (38)
Large (40)
X-Large (42)
