









Mister Freedom® APPALOOSA Western Snap Shirt.
NOS “Liberty” 2×1 Denim (Columbus Mills) Edition.
FW2024 mfsc Sportsman catalog.
Made in USA.
The Mister Freedom® APPALOOSA, introduced during Fall 2013, was our first traditional “western snap” shirt and has been released in a variety of denim-related fabrics.
Its fancier legacy is our Dude Rancher today, with more elaborate pattern work inspired by flashier vintage cowboy fashion. The OG design of the APPALOOSA — discussed here — blends humbler and more plebeian utilitarian roots, mostly lifted from a vintage 1950s Roebucks denim snap shirt (SEARS’ iconic workwear house brand rolled out in 1949.)
Our choice of painted metal snaps over the more obvious front closure option of pearl snap buttons — a detail inspired by 1950s Ranchcraft type shirts, JC Penneys’ own workwear house brand — helps separate our APPALOOSA from the average contemporary western shirt.
After the initial 2013 goat rodeo of releasing the first batch of the APPALOOSA in mixed yardages of NOS denims of unknown origins and specs, we re-cut the pattern in 2015 in an unassuming NOS HBT stripe denim fabric (with amazing patina potential), followed by a small batch of double indigo twill in 2016.
We decided to pull the pattern out of retirement this year, and sourced out a special NOS 2×1 “Liberty” denim fabric. Classic dark indigo blue warp, sturdy 10 Oz., slubby texture, dry hand, wide loom (i.e. no selvedge), produced by the legendary but now-defunct Columbus Mills, in Columbus, Georgia, USA.
Following the regrettable closing of Cone Mills’ White Oak plant in 2017, Columbus Mills terminated its traditional denim-producing activities in 2018.
Another sad story for American manufacturing. In the aftermath of NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement, a US bi-partisan groundbreaking treaty from 1994 establishing a tariff-free three-country accord), it became hard to compete for our domestic Textile Industry, and even harder to survive with Chinese denim pouring in the US at $1.25 a yard…
Long-standing American brands like Wrangler® — after the takeover from fast fashion conglomerate KONTOOR who now owns Wrangler® and Lee® — seized the opportunity to relocate manufacturing in Mexico (where they could pay factory workers ~30% of what they were required domestically), enjoying as well the less stringent local Environmental and Labor Laws. Who doesn’t like a pair of “authentic” jeans retailing at $40? The home consumer was happy. The staff from the likes of Columbus Mills getting a corporate layoff notice because their CEO opted for shareholders’ profits and offshoring over long-time employees’ job security? Not so much.
On a lighter note, from the looks and feel of the raw “Liberty” denim yardage, the APPALOOSA is bound to deliver some impressive evo results with normal wear and wash routine. I have yet to break-in my new shirt, but will keep you posted!
The Mister Freedom® APPALOOSA Western Snap Shirt is designed and made in California, CA., in collaboration with Sugar Cane Co. Cut from NOS “Liberty” denim fabric milled in USA by now-defunct Columbus Mills in Georgia.
SPECS:
FABRIC:
NOS 2×1 “Liberty” denim fabric, 10 Oz., classic dark indigo blue warp, slubby texture, dry hand, wide loom (i.e. no selvedge), produced by the now-defunct Columbus Mills, in Columbus, Georgia, USA.
DETAILS:
* Classic utilitarian ‘western shirt’ type silhouette and fit.
* 1950s-style painted metal DOT snaps for front closure and cuffs.
* Vintage ‘Roebucks’ type slanted front yoke.
* Western style single arcuate back yoke.
* Two chest pockets, snap flaps, mounted into yoke construction.
* Double snap cuffs.
* One piece sleeve plackets.
* Orange and yellow combo contrast stitching, high count, 100% cotton.
* Double chainstitch construction with green color thread “Sportsman” inside signature.
* Chambray side gusset, chainstitch run offs.
* Original mfsc “The Sportsman” woven rayon label.
* Made in USA
SIZING/FIT:
The Mister Freedom® APPALOOSA Western Snap Shirt in “Liberty denim comes RAW/unwashed. The pattern is designed so that the measurements match the labeling AFTER an initial cold soak/line dry.
We recommend the usual protocol before wearing:
- Cold soak in a tub for about 30-40mn, with occasional hand agitation.
Sizing on previous versions of our APPALOOSA Shirt has been a bit erratic.
At 5.7’ ~145 lbs, I opted for a SMALL on this 2024 iteration, for a comfortable fit.
The tagged size that will work best for you depends on your body type and how you like your clothes to fit.
Please refer to our sizing chart and reach out to [email protected] for further sizing advice.
CARE:
When laundering is needed after repeat wear, machine wash on DELICATE, cold water, mild eco-friendly detergent. Line dry.
Do not use the washer’s heavy-duty cycle. Hot water and heat dryer are also not recommended and may result in excessive and irreversible shrinkage.
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®
©2024










Mister Freedom® DUDE RANCHER Snap Shirt, “101” selvedge denim edition.
FW2020 mfsc TRUCK STOP collection.
Made in Japan.
Riding shotgun with the Rubber Duck for Fall 2020 is our DUDE RANCHER in a new skin, a nice and dry indigo denim twill. We are calling it “101” in reference to the famous U.S. Route 101 – or 101 freeway as it is called in So Cal – and as a nod to the bygone Montgomery Ward “101” Powerhouse workwear brand.
This 7.25 Oz. 2 x 1 selvedge twill is reminiscent of vintage Lee-Levi’s-Wrangler denim snap shirts, and enhanced by our choice of yellow/orange combo contrast stitching.
Our DUDE RANCHER pattern, previously released in black and white broadcloth (cotton poplin), printed shadow plaid, light indigo vat-dye chambray, and “Joan” woven plaid, is a Mister Freedom® spin on the traditional “western snap” shirt. The design features the expected western-style front and back curved yokes and arcuate panels. The playful “M” branding on the chest pockets is disguised as decorative stitching. The tricked-out forearm pattern and intricate one-piece elbow/cuff reinforcement diamond-shaped placket is quite a garment construction tour de force, for anyone who knows his/her way around a sewing machine.
The shirts buttons are painted metal snaps, reminiscent of 50’s Ranchcraft or Blue Bell shirts, initially featured on the 2013 MF® Sportsman printed flannel Camp Shirts. If pearl snap buttons are more-commonly associated with traditional western shirts, these metal snaps are a bit more subdued and utilitarian.
The DUDE RANCHER western snap shirt “101” denim is designed in California by Mister Freedom® and manufactured in Japan by Sugar Cane Co.
FABRIC:
A dry 100% cotton indigo blue denim, 7.25 Oz., solid white selvedge ID, milled in Japan.
SPECS:
* An original mfsc pattern, inspired by traditional western-style shirts.
* Traditional western-wear arcuate front and back yokes.
* Attractive pointy pocket flaps, complementing the yoke pattern.
* 1950’s-style painted metal snaps (the paint will chip with age.)
* Yellow/orange combo contrast stitching.
* Original curvy “M” decorative stitching on pockets.
* Fancy diamond-shaped cuff/elbow reinforcement patch.
* Vintage style selvedge side gussets.
* Rounded shirt tails.
* 100% cotton hi-count stitching.
* Original MF® mfsc “TRUCK STOP” woven label.
* Made in Japan.
SIZING/FIT:
The “101” Denim DUDE RANCHER comes RAW/unwashed. This shirt 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 SMALL, for a trim, traditional western “cowboy” shirt fit, sizing down from my usual Medium in mfsc shirting. I am 5.7’’ approx. 150 Lbs.
Note that this denim version of the DUDE RANCHER features slightly longer tails and arms than previous versions.
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 [email protected] or call 323-653-2014 with any questions unanswered above.
Thank you for your support.
Christophe Loiron
Mister Freedom®
©2020

The “APPALOOSA” Denim Shirt
mfsc Sportsman Fall 2013
The Appaloosa, the ‘spotted horse’, has always fascinated me as a kid. Indians rode them in the western movies, how cool is that.
Because Appaloosa horses were scarce where I grew up however, I settled for local alternatives.
Please note that there is absolutely no evidence of the above anecdote, due to its pre-smartphone era when meals and daily footwear choices went undocumented.
Oh, wait…

What does all this have to do with a denim shirt? Not much indeed. So. Take two.
A denim shirt was a wardrobe staple for many of the usual cool suspects back in the days, on or off set. Hud, Henry Thomas… you name ’em.

We have issued a few denim shirts in the past at Mister Freedom®. The “Utility Shirt” and “CPO Shirt, Liberty Issue” in our early Naval days, the “Prairie Shirt” in our Frontier days…
But we do not have one yet in our ‘The Sportsman’ catalog. So let’s introduce the “APPALOOSA” Denim Shirt, an addition for Fall 2013.
It’s moniker has been scientifically approached above, so we’re good. For the design, we have combined several details of vintage western and work shirts, trying to stay clear from the ‘traditional’ cowboy cut denim western yoke shirt, aka the Wrangler shirt, denim shirt ol’ timer.
As previously with our Sportsman printed flannel shirts, we shamelessly borrowed their painted metal snaps from 50’s Ranchcraft or Blue Bell shirts. Our front yoke is of a vintage ‘Roebuck’ type rather than the usual western arcuate style, its seam also locking the pocket flaps.
The Appaloosa also combines two stitching colors, yellow and orange, in what appears to be a random pattern. The idea here being to emulate old school work wear, during days when a pressed for time factory often used what was on hand to fill an order. That is fabric and thread used.
With workwear and sportswear manufacturing, consistency seems to be somewhat of a modern concept, considering the many examples of ‘craftsmanship funkiness’ seen in (real) vintage clothing. Unintentional mismatched fabric panels (different dye lots, sometimes different fabrics) or odd stitch lines are just a few challenging points to the ‘clothes were better made back then’ usual theory.

It might sound a bit silly to go the extra mile nowadays to ‘mimic’ the manufacturing mistakes of the past, but there is to me definitely beauty in flaws. 侘 寂 some call it…
Along these lines of charming inconsistency, and because we know better than to make it simple, we have selected four different New Old Stock (NOS) rolls of 2×1 denim from our stock to get cut and sewn into Appaloosa shirts.
Similar in weight and appearance, all four denim have their own specifics and subtle differences:
* Lot A: Approx 9 Oz. Random ‘snowy’ spotted appearance. No, I don’t mean 80’s acid wash, that’s next year’s collection. Rather, a slub quality due to fluctuations of the weft spun yarn gage. Blackish dark navy, white selvedge with yellow line.
* Lot C: Approx 9 Oz. Bluish shade. White selvedge ID with red line.
* Lot D: Approx 8 Oz. Purplish sheen. White selvedge ID with double red line.
* Lot E: Similar to Lot C but solid white selvedge ID.

Now I know you have some important questions you want to ask:
1) What happened to LOT B? We’re looking for it.
2) Do they shrink the same? Pretty close.
3) What’s your favorite? A, C, D, E, in no particular order.
Designed and made in California, USA, by Mister Freedom®, in collaboration with Sugar Cane Co.
SPECS:
PATTERN: An original mfsc pattern, inspired by vintage workwear and western shirting.
FABRIC:
Four options of New Old Stock 100% cotton selvedge 2 x 1 denim twill, with limited size availability for each.
* Lot A: About 9 Oz. Random ‘snowy’ spotted appearance. No, I don’t mean 80’s acid wash, that’s next year’s collection. Rather, a slub quality due to fluctuations of the weft spun yarn gage. Blackish dark navy, white selvedge with yellow line.
* Lot C: About 9 Oz. Bluer shade. White selvedge ID with red line.
* Lot D: About 8 Oz. Purple sheen. White selvedge ID with double red line.
* Lot E: Similar to Lot C but solid white selvedge ID.
Please note that, due to limited yardage of each NOS denim, we were not able to cut a full size scale in each Lot.
DETAILS:
* Slim ‘western shirt’ type silhouette and fit.
* Painted metal DOT snaps. The white paint will chip with age.
* Vintage ‘Roebuck’ type front yoke
* Western style back yoke.
* Two chest pockets, snap flaps, locked into yoke construction.
* Selvedge ID on button front facing panels.
* Double snap cuffs.
* Orange and yellow 100% cotton stitching combination.
* Double chainstitch construction with green color thread “Sportsman” inside signature.
* Selvedge ID side gussets, chainstitch run offs.
* Original mfsc “The Sportsman” woven rayon label.
* Made in USA
SIZING/WASHING:
All four denim options come RAW/Un-washed and will shrink to tagged size. We recommend an original 20-30mn cold soak, machine spin dry then line dry.
I wear a Medium in mfsc shirting and am a tight Medium a LARGE in the ‘Appaloosa’ denim shirt. I might have once been a medium, but life happens…
The Appaloosa shirt fits very snug, more ‘Hud’ than ‘Hip Hop’. It might not accommodate all body types, see measurements.
For the hardcore denim aficionados, wear the shirt briefly when still damp to shape it and set creases in, then hang back to fully dry. When using this method, the shirt will feel stiff when fully dried, due to the starch still in the fibers. This is normal/expected and the fabric will soften up with normal wear.
Please note that the demand/need for ‘soft’ denim garments led to the stone-wash plague of the 1980’s. Talk about creating a monster…
Subsequent washing when needed: Shirt turned inside out, hand wash or very gentle cycle with cold water and minimal environmentally friendly detergent. Line dry.
Please refer to sizing chart for raw/rinsed measurements (soaked/dried according to our recommended method).
 Size Chart Lot A-C
 Size Chart Lot D-E
Available RAW/Un-washed
Sizes S, M, L, XL, XXL
Retail $289.95
Soon available from our Los Angeles store and online from www.misterfreedom.com
Thank you for your support.

Mister Freedom® x Sugar Cane MFSC Spring 2012 “Men of the Frontier“: Prairie Shirt, cotton denim & Calico.
Here is the latest addition to our Men of the Frontier spring 2012 collection: The PRAIRIE SHIRT, in two different fabric options, selvedge denim and calico printed broadcloth.
Inspired by 1930’s American shirting and mixing several elements of vintage samples from our archives, here is another versatile shirt for discerning gents. This is our first new “white back denim” shirt since our sought after Liberty Issue CPO from a few seasons back, that will ring a bell with the ol’ timers.
The madder calico version taps into our yen for early American printed shirting fabrics. Our little homemade Calico scrapbook was again pretty handy…
For the shirt pattern, we incorporated detailing from early western shirts and gentleman wear, again trying to stay clear from clichés and reproductions.
Now we here just make the clothes, it’s up to you to make ‘em look good. Like the Man said: “Let them see you, and not the suit”
SPECS:
PATTERN: An original MFSC pattern, inspired by 1930’s American shirting. The fit is similar to our “Apache” Chemise Calico, a bit roomier because of the back expansion gusset and shearing.
FABRIC: The Prairie shirt comes in two very different fabric options, both milled in Japan for MFSC.
a) Light weight selvedge dark indigo denim, 7.5 Oz.
b) All cotton broadcloth selvedge fabric, 4.5 Oz., printed with a tiny calico turn of the Century inspired pattern, madder red on natural. The reverse of the fabric appears ‘white’ because of the limited ‘bleed through’ effect of the specific intricate printing process.
DETAILS:
* Collar band facing with indigo dyed popeline.
* Front closure with metal Diamond type DOT snaps.
* Collar, cuffs and pocket closures with original 1920’s New Old Stock ox bone buttons.
* Original MFSC chest flap single pocket
* European type selvedge side gussets.
* Rounded back tail and front overlapping panels.
* Original MFSC woven label on lower tucked-in front panel. The rayon label is stamped with the size.
* Original middle back panel expansion gusset.
* White cotton popeline button placket facing.
* Back panel and cuff shearing.
* 100% cotton tonal stitching, high count.
* Flat felled seam construction.
PACKAGING: For the USA, the PRAIRIE SHIRT comes in an old school cardboard box with original MF® artwork. This sturdy box is not the collapsible cheapo kind, and can be used for storage of small items. Please re-use.
SHRINKAGE/SIZING:
The shirt comes UNWASHED, the material is raw, so shrinkage is expected.
The measurements in the sizing chart below are done before and after a cold soak and line dry, resulting in very minimal shrinkage.

Calico: The calico option can be washed on delicate and machine dried and is pretty much “low maintenance”.
Denim: For those of you who value the appearance, goodness and wholesome appeal of RAW denim (ie. denim NOT chemically processed by a highly polluting distressing industrial wash factory, as most denim Industry companies offer to the un-savvy consumer. But you didn’t hear this from me…), we recommend a home cold soak and line dry. You won’t get full shrinkage at first, but wearing the shirt this way in the early stage (with the starch still in the fabric) will overtime guarantee a fade and patina similar to an old WW2 USN barrack bag…
As always, we do not recommend HOT soaking, as this alters the dark denim color.
DISCLAIMER: Because of the nature of the dark indigo denim, bleeding is expected. You will get some (washable) color rubbing when the shirt is paired with a white undershirt. The bleeding stops overtime after normal wear/wash. Please use minimal mild AND environment friendly detergent.
Designed in California by Mister Freedom® and crafted in Japan by Sugar Cane Co.
Limited edition.
Available RAW/Unwashed
Sizes:
13 ½ (X-Small)
14 ½ (Small)
15 ½ (Medium)
16 ½ (Large)
17 ½ (X-Large)
18 ½ (XX-Large)
Retail: $ 359.95
Call John or Jordan at (323) 653-2014 or mail [email protected] or [email protected] to get yours while they last. We ship almost everywhere internationally.
Gracias for your support, Amigos.
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