Mister Freedom

[matt_rost]

As fall approaches, I'm enjoying my Campus Jacket to the fullest. These photos were taken recently on a dull, drizzly day. I have a feeling I'll need to condition the leather for the first time soon. Does anyone have any practical experience with leather care for this model? If possible, I'd like to preserve the color as much as possible, and the manufacturer recommends avoiding shoe care products (otherwise, I would have simply used Red Wing Leather Cream).

[NickD]

Unless it's seen a lot of rain I doubt it needs conditioning yet - I've only had to condition one leather jacket and that was because I'd had it in storage for a couple of decades. Lovely jacket! I particularly like how they look in black leather.

[matt_rost]

@NickD Thanks Nick, I agree with you. I'm usually relaxed about this too. However, I'm not the original owner of the jacket, so I don't know how old it is or what it's been through. The surface of the leather seems pretty rough and dry to me since I got it, but I haven't had a new one made of this leather in my hands yet, so it's hard to say whether it might already be too dry.

[Anesthetist]

I use mustang paste on my Y-2. It will darken it a little but makes the leather buttery smooth

[FlavourFade]

Day one in my freshly hemmed 674 double indigos. 12.5 oz is definetly something I have to get used to after mainly wearing my lefties most of the past months. Cut is also more relaxed than my default fit but I realy like them and I think they will fade great.

[FlavourFade]

[A Former User]

This post is deleted!

[FlavourFade]

@Mister_Brue love that jacket dude! Would love some fit pics

[Heritage_Guy]

@matt_rost

I bought a campus in natural leather direct from Mister Freedom and they sent a small container of Pecard Leather dressing with my order. After a year of wear I used it and like a quarter of a full size container on the jacket. It definitely darkened the jacket a couple of shades but the leather was very thirsty so I feel like the trade off was worth it. It required plenty of elbow grease to work it in everywhere.

[matt_rost]

@Heritage_Guy Thanks for sharing your experience! I can well imagine it was a time-consuming job, especially since I had to take care of my Pale Rider shirt this year. A few shades darker is definitely a statement, but I suppose you have to make some compromises if you don't want to ruin the leather's fiber structure in the long run.

[FlavourFade]

@Mister_Brue great pictures buddy!! Where you at? Jacket is a dream

[FlavourFade]

@Mister_Brue perfect place for some MF gear

[Heritage_Guy]

New Mister Freedom Midnight Denim Ranch Blouse just landed. Here it is next to my 5 year old one in the same denim. Forgot how inky blue it used to be. Very interesting the details they changed in the current model. Took away the rounded collar, changed the lining on the underside of the collar and changed the button metal. Over all very satisfied and looking forward to fading this beaut!

[FlavourFade]

@Heritage_Guy that jacket looks awesome. Can you maybe post some more pictures of the worn one?

[matt_rost]

@Heritage_Guy It's so nice to see them both side by side. Did you get the newer version just because of the minor differences, or just because?

[Heritage_Guy]

@matt_rost
It is my favorite denim jacket hands down. I prefer the boxy cropped fit. I also have the 'Ringo' Ranch Blouse which is in black Veg-tan leather. It really is my signature jacket pattern. It's been 5 years since he's done a new batch of midnight denim so I figured I needed another because it might be another 5 years.

Also the O.G. version I never washed until just recently so this is 1 wash, 5 years countless wears.

[matt_rost]

@Heritage_Guy Absolutely understand that, I also have a "standard" when it comes to (denim) jackets, for me it's the Pike Brothers Miners Jacket. The Ranch Blouse from Mr. Freedom is what first introduced me to the brand, and I fell in love with the style right away, but I always run into problems with that boxy cut combined with my slim build, especially in the shoulders... at least on paper. Maybe I'll try a cheaper used one sometime. It's wonderful to see how your well-worn one has aged naturally over the years

[FlavourFade]

@Heritage_Guy with never washed you mean not even a soak before first wear or after an initial soak/ wash of the raw jacket?

[Heritage_Guy]

@FlavourFade
That's right. When I bought it the raw measurements were perfect for me and I decided to not do an initial rinse. Over time I tried to not get sweaty in the jacket so as not to need a wash. Last month I saw the new batch come out and thought I might as well wash it and if it shrinks too much I have the option to get one at the proper size. After a good cold water soak and wash, and hang dry , it only lost about a half inch on the sleeves and negligible amount in the chest and shoulders. The elbow creases are so set they didn't move at all. Despite not really being forced to get a new one due to shrinkage I bought one of the new ones in a size up. because why not?

The guys at Mister Freedom sent me an email stating it was the last in my size but it was the rinsed one they used to make the size chart. I took it and this go round I don't need to worry about regular washes.

[FlavourFade]

@Heritage_Guy ah interesting. Do you feel that there's any damage from not washing pre wear? That's what I was told, the denim is constructed to need some water to "function". I think maybe for a jacket it's less important compared to jeans.