Mister Freedom® MFSC Fall 2012 (Part 2): The “FARO WAISTCOAT”

I look like a 300 lb gorilla from behind. I had not yet noticed that from the front, Mister Freedom® ©2012

FARO WAISTCOAT (Men of the Frontier MFSC FW2012)

Moving right along our journey West… Introducing the FARO WAISTCOAT, as the second installment of the “Men of the Frontier” MFSC Fall 2012 Collection, following its original Spring 2012 chapter. The first Fall 2012 installment was the Frontier Chinos.

This time we took our hombres away from the open range or work place, and into the dark oil lamp lit saloons of the early American Frontier. Gamblers’ halls and other fine whiskey pouring establishments were the main source of social entertainment for the hard living bunch at the edge of the Old World and the New.
In comes our Faro waistcoat… With its origin in 1700’s France, Faro became a popular single deck card game in the American West of the 1800’s. Until it was gradually supplanted by the game of Poker in the early 1910’s, Faro had been responsible for small fortunes lost and won, and a few gun fights.
Waistcoats were a permanent feature in old period photography, at times when looking your best in public involved tucking and buttoning up your shirt, along with wearing your britches in such a manner that only you knew the maker of your skivvies. A dress code seemed to often apply to most, whether coming off a horse, out of a mine, bank, jail… and no matter how wealthy or educated you were.

Lest I drift any further, let’s mention that the design of our Faro waistcoat is inspired by a late 1800’s vintage French silk velvet vest, high buttoned and narrow collar, that could have been sported by a card dealer, gambler or gunslinger in a lively 1905 saloon. We combined several elements of early vest patterns, outer and inner panels and piecing, and came up with this, if we may say so ourselves, elegant gentleman waistcoat.

As always, being an expert at losing your pay bucking the tiger or playing an extra on Deadwood is not required to wear our “Men of the Frontier” gear. Blending clothes tastefully is key to having your own non-contrived style, staying clear from the ‘costume’ look, although all that is of course very subjective.
If we don’t recommend pairing this Faro waistcoat with a track suit and Crocs, we leave it up to you to make it look good with denim jeans, cotton shirt, trousers from your existing wardrobe… The versatile collar can be folded for a deeper cut look. I often like wearing vests/jackets with only the top two buttons closed, a trick often seen in vintage photography, allowing easier reach to the trousers pockets.

Two fabric options are available (apples and oranges, impossible to compare.) Both textiles were woven in Japan, in limited batches, exclusively for MFSC®.

Designed in California by Mister Freedom® and crafted as a one-time limited batch by Sugar Cane Co in Japan.

SPECS:

PATTERN: An original MFSC®, inspired by late 1800’s gents’ waistcoats. High buttoned, small lapel, slim snug silhouette.

FABRIC:
FRONT PANEL: Two options
a) Deep rich navy blue color, 100% cotton corduroy, midwale (9 wale/inch), 11 Oz. Woven in Japan.
b) “Gun Powder” black (between field grey and dark laurel green), wide HBT (herringbone twill), selvedge, 20% Cotton/80% Linen blend, 15 Oz. Woven in Japan
BACK PANEL: Black all cotton sateen.
INNER LINNING:  Combination all cotton HBT (ochre color) exclusively woven for MFSC®, and indigo blue cotton poplin.

DETAILS:
* Intricate early waistcoat panel construction. Tailor made style.
* Back cinch strap with French New Old Stock (NOS) metal slide buckle.
* Eight button front, brown corrozo.
* Two front welt pockets
* 100% cotton thread tonal stitching.

PACKAGING: Sturdy cardboard box with MF® original artwork. Please re-use.

SHRINKAGE/SIZING: Both fabric options come raw/unwashed.
After shrinkage, both fabrics will shrink to the same specs.

Faro Waistcoat Sizing chart

We recommend an initial cold rinse and line dry. The vests fit true to size. I am a 38 and wear a 38 in the Faro vest.
Just as you wouldn’t boil a fancy suit, please treat with care or take to your environmentally friendly dry cleaner for future cleaning.

Available RAW/unwashed

Sizes 36 (small), 38 (medium), 40 (large), 42 (xlarge), 44 (xxlarge)
Retail $499.95

Call 323-653-2014 or mail sales@misterfreedom.com to get yours while they last. We ship internationally to select Countries. Thank you for the support, friends.

Mister Freedom® x Sugar Cane MFSC Spring 2012 (Part 3): The “RANGE Vest”

MFSC Range Vest

Mister Freedom® x Sugar Cane MFSC Spring 2012 “Men of the Frontier“: Canvas RANGE VEST

Moving right along with the “Men of the Frontier” Spring 2012 collection updates, here is our third installment, the canvas “RANGE VEST”.

I like vests. Whether part of a 3 piece suit or as a mismatch piece, you soon appreciate the extra pockets and extra layer. Vests are very practical additions to daily outfits.
Since I am not a big fan of hunting vest (they look too ‘hunting’ to me) I wanted a mix of outdoor ruggedness and Gentleman’s tailor-made garb; so no rear ‘game pocket’ here. By mixing outdoor and indoor, open range and saloon, combining canvas fabric/metal donut buttons hardware/wrap pockets with traditional satin belted back panel and a slender cut, we made a waistcoat that takes from both worlds.

Inspired by the pattern of a vintage 1930’s French outdoor vest found a while back, we made the Range Vest in the same fabric options than our Chaparral Blouse: Cotton-linen canvas in Brown and Indigo dyed.

By the way, the silly dude ranch fit pix (I’m wearing a size 38), as always, are not to be taken too seriously; they are just here for the kick. A DenimBro compañero has mentioned that we picked the wrong cactus (thanks Mr. Randal. No, not Josh, Mark) Of course, it is was no news to you that the Euphorbia Ammak in the photos background is of Western Saudi Arabia origin, nowhere close to the American Frontier 😉
But I’m rambling, here are the…

SPECS:
PATTERN: An original MFSC pattern, inspired by both the open range and early saloon imagery. Cowhand meets Faro dealer.
FABRIC: The Range Vest comes in two very different fabric options (not two colors of the same fabric.)
Exclusively milled for us in Japan, in limited batches, both options are inspired by rare turn of the century French workwear textiles from our archives.
a) MFSC Brown Canvas: A blend of 80% linen and 20% cotton selvedge canvas, 12.5 Oz., in a “cachou“/ brown Duck color.
b) MFSC Indigo Canvas: A blend of 60% linen and 40% cotton selvedge canvas, 8 Oz., Indigo dyed.

DETAILS:
* Original multiple patch pocketing, six options to store your silver dollars.
* slender silhouette.
* 100% cotton sateen back panel with cinching belt (beige for the brown canvas and black for the Indigo canvas.)
* Gun metal color donut button front and pocket closures.
* Original rayon woven MFSC labeling on inside bottom of the button placket.
* No open seams or visible overlock.
* 100% cotton tonal stitching.
PACKAGING: For the USA, the RANGE VEST comes in an old school cardboard box with original artwork. This sturdy box can be used for storage of small items, please re-use.
SHRINKAGE/SIZING:
Both canvas options come RAW (un-washed). Both fabrics are un-sanforized and will shrink down to the same fit after several wash/soak/dry cycles. The Indigo canvas shrinks ‘faster’ than the Duck canvas. I recommend doing an original cold soak and hung dry. See how it fits and take it from there. With rinsing/wearing, the fabrics will shrink/stretch back and forth for a while and settle eventually.
DISCLAIMER: Because of the nature of the indigo dye, bleeding is expected with the INDIGO canvas option Range Vest. You WILL get some color rubbing if you wear a light color shirt under it, or light color jacket over it. The bleeding stops overtime after normal wear/wash.

Sizing chart with raw and rinsed measurements coming soon.

Designed in California by Mister Freedom® and crafted in Japan by Sugar Cane Co.
Limited edition.

Available RAW/Unwashed
Sizes:
36
(small)
38 (medium)
40 (large)
42 (X-large)
44 (XX-large)
Retail: $ 429.95

Call John or Jordan at (323) 653-2014 or mail john@misterfreedom.com or  jordan@misterfreedom.comto get yours while they last. We ship internationally. Much obliged for your support, Compañeros 😉

Mister Freedom® x Sugar Cane “Les Apaches” (Part. 3): Gilet de Ville

Gilet_Ville_Group

  MFSC Spring 2011 “Les Apaches“: Gilet de Ville (city waistcoat)

Introducing the third installment of our MFSC spring Apaches collection, now available at the Mister Freedom® store in LA and very select retailers around the world.
Inspired by turn of the century to 1930’s French tailor-made gent garb, our Gilets de Ville come in three different fabric options. Woven in Japan exclusively for MFSC, the fabrics were developed from vintage swatches and samples of 100 year old textiles from our archives. They are not replicas, as we changed some yarn colour combinations, tones and texture, giving them our trademark twist. The fabrics are 100% cotton, making them drape and feel the way we wanted. They were a real endeavour to mill and had some people pulling their hair in the process…
You can go Dandy or pair them with your favorite dungarees, mismatch fabrics… according to the mood and the order of the day. (See previous post for some fit pics.)

SPECS:
PATTERN
: Original MFSC pattern, inspired by early French tailor-made suiting.
FABRIC: Milled in Japan, in small limited batches.
* GREY COVERT STRIPE: 10 Oz., all cotton, double cloth, 6 different coloured yarns, white selvedge.
* INDIGO STRIPE BLUE: 8 Oz., all cotton, 7 different coloured yarns, white selvedge.
* COVERT STRIPE BROWN: 8 Oz., all cotton, 5 different coloured yarns, white selvedge.
LINING: Fully lined with 100% cotton stripe MFSC ticking.
BACK PANEL: Original MFSC  Métisse 50% cotton/50% Linen plain weave, indigo dyed and black pigment coated.
BUTTONS: Original MFSC Corozo natural wood buttons. (aka “vegetable ivory”, corozo buttons where an hi-end option for suiting from the 1900’s to 1940’s). Five button front.
DETAILS:
* Limited Edition.
* Four front slash pockets
* Two inside concealed chest flap pockets.
 * Traditional darted back piece, with cinch back belt. Original french NOS metal sharp-prong buckle (DISCLAIMER:  Will scratch car seats, sofas etc…) The buckle is removable and you can switch to one that fits your needs (a “safer” metal buckle, used for the Japanese production, will be found in one of the pockets.)
CONSTRUCTION: Tailor type single needle, no overlock nor chainstitch. 100% Cotton thread, oxidized black/brown colour.
SHRINKAGE: All fabric options are RAW and unwashed, and will shrink and torque lightly with cold delicate wash/hang dry (about 1 to 2%). As you wouldn’t throw a suit in the washer, this gilet de ville, although washable, should be treated with TLC. 
PACKAGING: The garment comes in an individual old school chipboard box, exclusive to MF.
The original oil painting was masterfully executed by Mr. PATRICK SEGUI of RIVETED blog fame, and a paper print of his artwork is featured on the Apache Collection box tops.
SIZING: The Apache collection is sized and labelled in french…
92 (small) Chest about 18 1/2” across, after rinse/dry.
97 (medium) Chest about 20” across, after rinse/dry.
102 (large) Chest about 21” across, after rinse/dry.
107 (X-Large) Chest about 22” across, after rinse/dry.

Designed in California by MISTER FREEDOM®, manufactured in Japan by SUGAR CANE CO.

Available RAW (unwashed)
Sizes S, M, L, XL
Retail $439.95

Call John or Jordan at (323) 653-2014 or Email john@misterfreedom.com or  jordan@misterfreedom.com  to get yours while they last. We ship internationally. We thank you for your support in helping us continue making clothes we like.

Watch Johnny Depp making a Mister Freedom® x Sugar Cane Gilet de Ville (indigo stripe blue version) look good here 😉