Continental Bermudas, NOS cotton-linen slate grey denim & NOS stripe twill. mfsc SS2018 Sportsman catalog. Made in USA.
We introduced the Mister Freedom® “Continental” series in early 2016, an unpretentious all-made-in-USA casual suiting concept consisting of three new patterns (Continental Trousers, Continental Vest, Continental Sportcoat) seasonally released in a combination of vintage New Old Stock fabrics.
Mister Freedom® “Continental” family, made in USA.
For Spring 2018, we are adding a new member to our Continental family… the Continental Bermudas.
Derived from the pattern of our Continental Trousers inspired by classic late 50’s-mid 60’s casual slacks, these tailored short trousers are a departure from, no offense, dad’s favorite 1990’s cargo shorts, the recreational fisherman’s best friend. We aimed for a more elegant silhouette on this project.
Anchored in a British military style tradition allegedly dating back to WW1, original ‘bermuda shorts’ called for a length of approximately one inch above the knee, which we stuck with. Whether you go for the mandatory knee-length socks, blazer and tie dear to the respectable Bermudian keen on proper insular business attire, is up to you. For a casual stroll around town in old-school Ivy League style, we think you’ll do just fine with a simple Stanley or Berkeley shirt, topped with an unstructured Continental Sportcoat, and shod in a pair of vintage penny loafers or wingtips. Better yet, do your own thing.
Augie Garcia, circa 1954 (courtesy Minnesota Historical Society)
BB King, Bill Harvey Band, early 1950s (courtesy Getty Images.)
New York, 1953, photo Alfred Eisenstaedt for LIFE (courtesy Getty Images)
Snazzy theme party in Pittsburgh, 1960 (courtesy Getty Images)
The above-the-knee target length will obviously depend on where one considers the waist line to be. Our Continental Bermudas feature a mid-to-high rise, and, call us old-fashioned, we tend to think of the waist as a natural line falling right above the hips. The simple single needle hem can easily be tailored to one’s preferred length however, and if we don’t necessarily recommend the Daisy Dukes look, a shorter length might convey a more sporty and contemporary vibe, for those inclined. Just don’t cut past the pocket bags. Style inspiration abound on the interwebs.
The fabrics we opted for the introduction of our Continental Bermudas are two New Old Stock textiles, a fancy slate grey crosshatch denim twill (a blend of 60% cotton and 40% linen), and a nautical all-cotton selvedge stripe twill.
The Continental Bermudas are designed in California by Mister Freedom® and manufactured in USA in collaboration with Sugar Cane Co.
SPECS: PATTERN:
An original mfsc pattern inspired by vintage late 1950’s and early 1960’s casual slacks with a classic, slim silhouette. Mid-to-high rise.
FABRIC OPTIONS: a) Slate Grey twill: New Old Stock, 8 Oz. denim twill, blend of 60% cotton and 40% linen, probable a-Italian a-origin. b) Indigo Stripe twill: New Old Stock, woven stripe lightweight twill, selvedge, 100% cotton, USA origin.
Lining/pocketing: NOS 2×1 blue denim.
DETAILS: * Elegant late 1950′s early 1960’s type silhouette and fit, above the knee length. * Adjustable back cinch strap, with vintage NOS metal slide buckle. * Amber brown corozo wood fly and waist buttons. * Rear welt pockets, watch pocket. * Trousers-style belt loops. * Crotch gusset pattern. * Flat-felled side seam “caballo” construction. * NOS blue denim pocket bags, waist band and fly facing. * Tonal 100% cotton thread construction, with inside green chainstich MF® signature accents. * Original “SPORTSMAN” woven rayon label on rear waistband, concealed when wearing a belt. * Made in USA.
SIZING: The MF® Continental Bermudas come raw/unwashed. Both fabric options will shrink to approximately the same size after a 30mn cold soak, spin dry and line dry. These are “vanity size”, with somewhat of a generous waist that can be cinched with the rear adjustable strap. I tend to fluctuate between W30 and W32 in mfsc trousers, according to the model, and opted for a comfortable W32 in the Continental Bermudas, in both fabrics.
Refer to sizing chart for cold soak/spin dry/line dry measurements.
CARE: Machine wash on delicate, pants inside-out, cold water with minimal environmentally-friendly detergent and line dry. Stripe Twill: Some faint color transfer (from the indigo blue to the white) may be noticeable after wash, but will subside with further washing. This should not be considered as a flaw, just an inherent part of garments involving indigo-dyed yarns.
NOTE: Full washing cycle in hot water and machine dry might result in maximum shrinkage and color loss. Not recommended.
Available Raw/unwashed Sizes (W stands for Waist. I know, but we’ve been asked) W 28 W 30 W 32 W 34 W 36 W 38 Retail $229.95
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.
After scoring a nice assortment of royal blue/sienna/coral selvedge canvas fabrics from a dusty warehouse, we decided to go for a “Skipper” version, for dudes, hodads and barneys.
This one took a little time to complete as the cut/saw process had to be interrupted by a fun silkscreening session. The canvas fabric was originally solid and we decided to print one of the leg panel with an original Polynesia-inspired motif. As with the MF® Shop Tees, we are using water-based ink, so the graphic will gradually fade with wear and water sport activities.
Please note that, although adequate for swimming, these are vintage-style 100% cotton beach trunks and will not dry as fast as modern polyester trunks or spandex speedos.
The Skipper Board Shorts are designed and manufactured in California by Mister Freedom®.
FABRIC: NOS 100% cotton selvedge canvas, about 9 Oz., origin USA. Three color combinations available: a) Royal Blue, with Sienna (or Coral) waist band & pocket. b) Sienna, with Royal Blue waist band & pocket. c) Coral, with Royal Blue waist band & pocket.
SPECS: * Inspired by late 60’s to 1970’s classic swim and surf trunks. * Paracord/eyelet waist closure system. * Contrast Velcro® fly closure. * Fabric selvedge featured on the waistband. * Side pocket with Velcro® closure flap. * Rear concealed pocket. * Poly-cotton contrast stitching.
* Comes with TWO amazing MF® desktop wallpaper options, downloadable for freehere and here. Like, dude, whoa... * Made in USA.
SIZING/FIT: The board shorts are only available raw (unwashed) and are cut to fit the tagged size after an initial cold rinse and line dry. The paracord/eyelet closure system allows for some slight adjustment to the waist for a tighter/looser fit (about ¾ inch play). Please refer to sizing chart for cold soak/line dry measurements. (Please note that further shrinkage may happen with hot soak and heat dryer.)
CHART
CARE:
Machine wash, cold water, hang dry.
Available Raw (unwashed) ONLY Tagged Sizes W28 W30 W32 W34 W36
Retail $99.95
Available from our webstore cheerful Beachwear section, and the MF® Los Angeles brick & mortar store. Email sales@misterfreedom.com or call 323-653-2014 with any questions unanswered above. Thank you for your support.
Brigitte Bardot & Alain Delon wearing a winner (on Eric Tabarly’s boat, Saint-Tropez, 1968) Photo Courtesy of Getty Images)
“Aventure Beach Trunks”, made in USA. Sportsman Summer 2015
A proper introduction to our “Aventure Beach Trunks” will require the assistance of the action-packed movie provider of your choice. Put a little umbrella in your drink, and indulge in “L’Aventure c’est l’Aventure” (Claude Lelouch, 1972).
Spoiler alert, you might not learn much about jungle guerrilla warfare, but the art of working the beach will no longer hold secrets for you.
Aldo, Lino, Charlot, Jacquo… pick yourself a winner.
The “Aventure Beach Trunks” borrow the general pattern of our classic Sportsman Board Shorts, the original indigo version or “Saigon Cowboy” tiger stripe model, and feature Velcro closure, side pocket, cord waist adjustment… Please note that the tiger stripe option of the “Aventure Beach Trunk” is not made from Buzz Rickson’s gold tiger stripes, but from NOS selvedge camo fabric.
We have carefully selected vintage selvedge cotton fabric from our vault for this project. These NOS sixties/seventies novelty print textiles have been purchased over the course of many years, some collected as far back as during MF® early trials under the name Cricri Le Matelot in the early 2000’s.
Each pair had to be cut individually, a time-consuming requisite when using all different width of fabrics that cannot be stacked under one cutting marker. With very limited yardage of these fabrics, each design only yielded a few waist sizes. When possible, the selvedge was used on the inner part of the waistband.
For your beachcombing pleasure, we have made dozens of assorted eye-pleasing combinations, emulating what an old 1970’s Californian beach shack on the Venice Boardwalk might have offered during its hippy days. Due to variations in vintage fabric weight and texture, some options might be better suited for strolling on hot sand than coming out of chilly water. For the sake of your friends, and your reputation, we recommend testing at home.
Rumor has it that there is an embarrassing video on the interwebs highlighting the unforgiving fit of our beach trunks… but I wouldn’t know anything about that.
The classy “Aventure Beach Trunks” are designed and manufactured in California by Mister Freedom®. Limited edition.
SPECS:
FABRICS:
Made from assorted NOS (New Old Stock) vintage novelty print cotton fabrics, canvas or twill. Designs, weight and texture vary.
DETAILS: * Late 60’s to 1970’s style
* Cord/eyelet waist closure system.
* Velcro® fly closure.
* Selvedge waistband when feasible.
* Side pocket with Velcro® closure flap.
* Rear concealed pocket.
* Poly-cotton contrast stitching.
* Few of a kind, limited edition.
* Made in USA.
SIZING/FIT:
All of the vintage fabrics were pre-washed prior to the cut/sew process, to even out the shrinkage across the board. Each pair of finished trunks was subsequently cold-rinsed and tumble-dried again. With very slight variations, all models tagged with the same size will fit the same, some fabrics featuring more mechanical stretch than others. Each pair was size stamped after the rinse/dry process, so if your waist actually measures 32”, you would wear a tagged 32.
The eyelet waist closure system allows for about ½ inch adjustment.
CHART
CARE:
Low maintenance, machine wash when needed, cold and delicate cycle.
Available from www.misterfreedom.com. The full selection of options can be seen in our Los Angeles ol’ pile o’ rags, aka the brick & mortar store.
Email sales@misterfreedom.com or call 323-653-2014 with any questions unanswered above.
Thank you for your support.
Tiger Board Shorts
“Saigon Cowboy” mfsc Spring 2015
“Mad Mark was the platoon leader, a first lieutenant and a Green Beret. (…) His attitude and manner were those of a CIA operative. A lover of stealth. A pro, a hired hand. (…) He wore tiger fatigues, not for their camouflage but for their look.”
Excerpt from ‘If I Die in a Combat Zone: Box Me Up and Ship Me Home’ Tim O’Brien (1975)
While Camp Pendleton Marines were chasing SoCal surfers out of Trestles, a few selected men of the Green Machine were board-riding the South China Sea waters of war-torn Vietnam. There it is.
Because eeeeverybody’s gone suuuurfin’, surfin’ USA in the 1960’s, the draft was to inevitably send some wave-obsessed kids to Vietnam. If Colonel Kilgore was a fictional character, several real life accounts testify of that. A certain Private Wyatt Miller Jr even managed to technically go MIA, last seen wiping out off Da Nang, on September 13, 1970…
Quite an interesting documentary, the 2008 film “Between The Lines: The True Story of Surfers and the Vietnam War” depicts the contrasting perspectives of combat vet surfer Pat Farley and surfer-dodger Brant Page, amongst others. Of hang tens and M-16s. Not a ton of period footage for obvious reasons, but insightful raw interviews nonetheless, not exactly highlighting the sanity of the Human race…
Marine confiscating board (1969) Photo Ron Stoner Courtesy SURFER
China Beach MP main gate
China Beach Surf Club, Vietnam, (1968) Photo Dennis Norton
“Between The Lines”, Photo Greg Samp collection
“Between The Lines”, Photo Tom Woods collection
Vung Tau beach (1968) Photo Kerry Seebohm
Colonel Kilgore’s board (Apocalpyse Now, 1979)
Kilgore’s chopper. Courtesy The Surfer’s Journal
To accompany our “Saigon Cowboy” in his endless summer safari, we are issuing a tiger stripe edition of the Board Shorts, a model we originally introduced for Spring 2014. These Mister Freedom® board shorts are inspired by several classic pairs of late 60’s~70’s trunks (Hang Ten, etc…), and feature an adjustable waist closure, Velcro® tape fly, side pocket, concealed rear pocket…
We scored some yardage of gold tiger stripe camouflage from our friends at Buzz Rickson’s. I believe this specific tiger pattern is referred to as TSP (Tadpole Sparse Pattern), but I’m probably wrong on that. The correct answer should be inside Richard Denis Johnson’s “Tiger Patterns” (ISBN 0-7643-0756-8).
For the salty look, we ‘partied-up’ our board shorts in two options, each featuring a single patch:
a) Reproduction “Sorry About That” red arc patch, with a local hand-made look.
b) Original 1970’s New Old Stock “Peace sign” patch.
Those inclined to do so will find many other vintage patches out there to spice this up, or a seam ripper to remove them. The older type machine-made patches are soft and have a cotton gaze-like back. They look much better in my opinion than the modern, rigid, iron-on kind found everywhere. Many eBay dealers offer reproduction or original patches from the Vietnam era.
I personally opted for three patches on my trunks, to take on bust-a-twig patrol while doing the jungle cancan.
bust-a-twig patrol
lala lalalalala la…
The Tiger Board Shorts are designed and manufactured in California by Mister Freedom®, in collaboration with Sugar Cane Co.
SPECS
FABRIC:
Buzz Rickson’s 100% cotton twill, printed with TSP (Tadpole Sparse Pattern) gold tiger stripe camouflage. Made in Japan.
DETAILS: * Late 60’s to 1970’s style
* Paracord/eyelet waist closure system.
* Velcro® fly closure.
* Reproduction or NOS patch customization.
* Side pocket with Velcro® closure flap.
* Rear concealed sand pocket.
* Orange poly-cotton contrast stitching.
* Made in USA.
SIZING/FIT The board shorts are only available RAW.
The tiger board shorts will shrink to tagged size. The way the waistband closure is designed allows for a 1-1½ inch play, according to how tightly pulled the paracord is.
Please refer to sizing chart for soak/line dry measurements (please note that further shrinkage can be expected with hot soak and machine dry.)
CARE:
Low maintenance, machine wash when needed. Color fading to be expected overtime.
Available Raw (unwashed) ONLY Tagged Sizes X-SMALL (approx W28) SMALL (approx W30) MEDIUM (approx W32) LARGE (approx W34) XLARGE (approx W36) Retail $149.95
