Mister Freedom® RAIDERS Fatigues, 2×1 “Army” denim & Two-Tone OD HBT.
SS2021 mfsc FROGSVILLE collection.
Made in Japan.
Those interested in our choice of moniker for those trousers, and its relevance to our FROGSVILLE SS2021 venture, can refer to Marine Raiders, OSS Maritime Units, early-days US combat swimmers aka frogmen, US Navy SEALs history…
“First SEALs” was an interesting read for me last year, where I learned that Italian Decima Mas frogmen (Axis Forces) had been quite involved in shaping-up their Allied Forces nemesis in the Mediterranean theater during WW2.
Our “RAIDERS” Fatigues are inspired by a pair of vintage M1941 utility trousers from our archives, a model issued to USMC personnel between 1942 and 1945 (source) and referred to as second pattern. Again, we’ll pass on all design credits to Uncle Sam’s Quartermaster Corps, as our creative input was merely to adjust the fit to our liking from the original US Gov-issued fatigues.
All construction details and overall pattern were lifted from the original, granted period variations exist depending on contractors. The M1941 trousers are notorious for their extremely generous leg, shooting straight down from the (very wide) thigh. This “Navy Cut” leg was often tucked-in canvas gaiters.
We kept the idea of the wide cut – the RAIDERS are our widest pant silhouette to date – but tapered the lower leg slightly. There is still plenty of fabric!
The specific M1941 pattern features self-fabric pocket bags and chinos-style waistband construction.
As often, we played around with fabric options, and our RAIDERS come in two distinct versions:
The first release is one of those “didn’t exist but could have” MF® approaches, and features a 10 Oz. blue denim developed by our friends at Buzz Rickson’s as vintage Mil-Specs “Army” denim. It is a lightweight 2×1 slubby indigo denim twill with a grayish weft, white/blue line selvedge ID. This fabric is reminiscent of early US Army denim dungarees and WW2 barracks bags.
For the second option, we loved the look of our original beat-up USMC trousers a lot and couldn’t help going for a similar vibe, using a sturdy and crisp OD HBT (Olive Drab Herringbone Twill) ready for hard wear.
As a nod to wartime production crunch – surviving vintage specimen featuring contrasting panels from inconsistant dye lots are occasionally found – we played around with two different HBT colors on our RAIDERS. We didn’t want to go full harlequin, so all leg panels were kept as one shade of olive HBT, limiting the khaki HBT accents to the belt loops and lining parts. The contrast is subtle and the colors compliment each others, yet the reference is clear.
The MF® Raiders Fatigues are designed in California by Mister Freedom® and manufactured in Japan in collaboration with Sugar Cane Co.
SPECS:
PATTERN: Inspired by a vintage pair USMC M1941 Utility Trousers.
FABRIC OPTIONS:
a) 100% Cotton two-tone Olive Drab/Khaki HBT, crisp & dry hand, milled in Japan.
b) “Army” 2×1 selvedge indigo denim twill, 10 Oz., white with blue line selvedge ID, milled in Japan.
DETAILS:
* Period wide leg silhouette.
* Black 13-star metal tack buttons.
* Front slash scoop pockets.
* Rear patch pockets, rounded bottom.
* Self fabric pocket bags.
* Chinos-style waistband construction.
* 100% cotton stitching.
* Overlocked fly flap.
* Original mfsc “Frogsville” woven rayon label.
* Denim model: Selvedge waistband facing. Olive green all cotton stitching.
* OD HBT model: Two-tone contrast khaki/olive accents on belt loops/fly flap/waistband facing. Contrast khaki all cotton stitching.
* Made in Japan.
SIZING/FIT:
Both models of the MF® RAIDERS Fatigues come unwashed and are 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 W30 in both models (5.7’’ / approx. 150 lbs), for a fitted top block and wide leg silhouette.
CARE:
Launder when needed. Machine wash with cold water, gentle cycle, eco-friendly mild detergent and line dry. Turn trousers inside out to avoid marbling of the fabric.
Wash denim model separately from light-colored garments.
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®
©2021
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