How Mister Freedom® Measures Their Garments

I'm often asked about measurements of my Mister Freedom pieces and I always find myself referring readers to the website sizing charts since both raw and rinsed measurements match what I come up with.

Christophe and his team have put together visual representations to avoid the gues work.

I'm always happy to help, so please don't hesitate to reach out. Cheers!

www.vintageengineerboots.com

All photos from www.ChristopheLoiron.com

More measurement info at www.ChristopheLoiron.com

MONTGOMERY WARD BLUE BAND ENGINEER BOOTS

Brand: Montgomery Ward
Circa: 1940s / 1950s
Color: Black
Size: "10"
Soles: Leather with composition half sole
Leather: Oil Tanned Cowhide (not horsehide)
Hardware: Nickel
Sold For: $400 BIN
Seller: wfaa8

Montgomery Ward led the charge in the mail order business beginning in 1872 (pre-Sears catalog) and became one of the biggest national mail order and brick and mortar retailers, so it's safe to say that goods sold by Wards were quite abundant -- I've seen midcentury Wards boots pop up at auction with missing/worn tags, so they're more prevelant than we might know.

I'd say the $400 ending price tag on them is spot on. On a good day, I might be compelled to pay about six bills for them -- anything more than that, then we're talking about modern heritage boot territory.

www.vintageengineerboots.com

All photos: wfaa8

From 1946 Spring/Summer Montgomery Ward catalog. These particular boots are the regular "Best Blue Band"

THIS JUST IN ...

Just completed a matching long trucker wallet and belt set made with a beautiful waxy Olive Horween CXL leather.

www.vintageengineerboots.com

NOS 1930s SWEATERS

Who doesn't love a vintage workwear sweater? Even more, who doesn't love a rare talon-zippered, deadstock, side buckle, pleated back sweater in your size?
In my 30 years of buying, selling and swooning over vintage clothing, I've only run across a few of these (adult size) sweaters offered for sale and they definitely weren't in such great condition.
Companies have tried to replicate these, but nothing compares to an original. Some might gawk at the selling prices, but these are some special sweaters worth every penny. Congrats to the seller, but an even bigger congrats to the winning bidders.
www.vintageengineerboots.com

Chest: 38-40

Shoulders: 17"

Sleeves (armpit to cuff): 20"

Length: 24"

Condition: New Old Stock

Price: $535 / 11 Bids

Seller: Clochecall

Chest: 36

Shoulders: 17"

Sleeves (armpit to cuff): 20.5"

Length: 22"

Condition: New Old Stock

Price: $520 / 6 Bids

Seller: Clochecall

Chest: 38-40

Shoulders: 18"

Sleeves (armpit to cuff): 18.5"

Length: 24"

Condition: New Old Stock

Price: $520/ 14 Bids

Seller: Clochecall

Chest: 38-40

Shoulders: 17"

Sleeves (armpit to cuff): 20.5"

Length: 23"

Condition: New Old Stock

Price: $295 / 9 Bids

Seller: Clochecall

Chest: 38-40

Shoulders: 18"

Sleeves (armpit to cuff): 18"

Length: 22.5"

Condition: New Old Stock

Price: $530 / 12 Bids

Seller: Clochecall

CLEANING OUT THE CLOSET

Check out my sales page of some of my personal gear as I pare down my wardrobe to something more manageable and things I actually wear - usually the first pair of jeans, t-shirt and jacket I run into - and will be posting. You'll also find vintage and retro household items and other cool vintage, so be sure to check back often. Thanks for lookin'.

www.vintageengineerboots.com

THIS JUST IN ...

Here are just a few items I've been working on. These items will be placed on my "For Sale" page, but in the mean time, please send an e-mail to info@VEBLeather.com to purchase any of the below items or to place a custom order. 

VEB Leather Instagram  / Past work

www.vintageengineerboots.com

Leather: Horween Cavalier 

Color: Blue Ink

Hardware: Brass

Size: 34

Long Trucker Wallet

Leather: Natural Horween CXL

Hardware: Brass

VEB Leather Garrison Belt

Leather: Wicket & Craig

Color: Buck Brown

Hardware: Nickel

Size: 34

Long Trucker Wallet

Leather: Black Horween CXL

Hardware: Brass

VEB Leather Garrison Belt

Leather: Wicket & Craig

Color: Buck Brown

Hardware: Brass

Size: 34

TWENTY-SIX YEARS IN THIS "GUN CLUB"

Today marks another significant milestone in my professional military career. It was on this very day, 26 years ago, I was on a charter bus with a group of other Recruiting Station Los Angeles “Poolees” (Recruiting Sub-Station Pasadena for me) headed south on Interstate 5 to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego with hopes of earning the title, “Marine.”

Now after a total of 11 duty assignments, unmatched training spanning the globe and three combat deployments, I am preparing for what may well be my last duty assignment that will take me into my 30 years of maximum allowable service.

www.vintageengineerboots.com

I cannot go any further in rank on my as I’ve had the honor and privilege of reaching the top of the enlisted food chain back in 2015 — although, some around me like to joke that I’m shooting for the non-existent rank of E-10 based on my competitive nature during our annual fitness tests.

Career satisfaction nowadays comes in the form of training, coaching and mentoring Marines that’ll honor our Core Values and carry on our legacy.

MY FAVORITE ENGINEER BOOTS OF 2020

These are the classic-style Engineer Boots currently on the market that captured my attention this past year. Anyone looking for a pair of amazing Engineer Boots that are built extremely well and age to perfection can rest assured they will not regret choosing either one of these models from two highly reputable names in the biz. These aren't entry-level boots. These are boots will stand the test of time and are not egregiously overpriced.

www.vintageengineerboots.com

Source: Swing-Up

The Dapper’s boots have been available for some time, but I found myself liking them more and more every time they popped up on my feed.

Brand: Dapper's
Model: Lot. 1142
Circa: 1940s Style
Color: Natural
Size/Width: 7.5 - 10 / D
Leather: 3mm European Horsebutt
Hardware: Brass
Price: ¥89,000 ($862.00)

Source: Dapper's

The fact that the Keystone Engineer Boots come out of the Fukurokuju camp along with the super attractive profile and unbeatable, realistic pricing puts them at the top of my list.

Source: Keystone Shoe Co.

Brand: Keystone Shoe Co. 

Colors: Nice Brown x Black, Black , Dark Brown, Brown 
Sizes: 5 - 12 D or E 
Leather: Horween, Roughout
Insole: Flexible 
Leather Insole 
Hardware: Nickle 
Price: ¥ 58,000 ($552.00) 

Source: Keystone Shoe Co.

THE PERFECT ENGINEER BOOTS FOR CHRISTMAS

Brand: Dapper's  x  Tools Infinity
Model: Lot. 1142SP
Circa: 1940s Style
Color: Natural
Size/Width: 7 - 10 / D

Leather: 3mm European Horsebutt
Hardware: Nickel
Price: $862 +tax

These boots have my undivided attention. They're easily characterized by every buzzword any collector looks for in today's boots -- natural leather, horsebutt, flat toe, long instep strap, sleek profile, vintage profile, brass hardware and the topping on the cake is the realistic price tag of under $1k.

Anyone looking to land what I consider to be a seggsy ass boot, shouldn't hesitate to contact Tools Infinity to see if they've got any sizes available. Apparently, they did a pre-order earlier in the year and some have backed out leaving a small available stock. 

Enough said. I'll let the photos tell the rest of the story.

www.vintageengineerboots.com

All photos from Tools Infinity Instagram