{"product_id":"mister-freedom-cali-jan-souvenir-jacket","title":"Cali Jan Souvenir Jacket","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003ePLEASE REVIEW SIZE CHART\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003ePlease refer to sizing chart for approximate measurements.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eNote that due to the raglan sleeve pattern, arm length is measured from armpit (not shoulder seam) to knit cuff.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eThe CALI-JAN may be considered true-to-size by some, or running a bit small for others, according to body types and fit expectations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eIt features a slightly longer body than some of the original vintage Sukajan with their often shrunken and cropped bodies.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eCL FIT ADVICE: I now navigate between MEDIUM and SMALL in mfsc jackets, and opted for a Medium in the CALI-JAN.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eThe SMALL fit better in length for my tastes, but was too tight in the chest.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eI am ~ 5.7′ \/ 145 Lbs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eSPECS\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAuthentic vintage Japan-made “souvenir jacket” style, inspired by 1950s-1960s off-duty custom-made jackets sported by US Armed Forces personnel stationed “in country”.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAll original MF® artwork, blending vintage Sukajan and Vietjan aesthetics.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eFully reversible, “A” side blue\/gold with quilted pattern, and “B” side dark red\/blue.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eTraditional Sukajan silk thread embroidery work performed by expert Japanese craftsmen with decades of experience on hand-operated “free-embroidery” machines.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eVintage-style double-sided (reversible) “TYE Tokyo” metal zipper.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eTraditional 100% cotton batting backing for quilted “A” side.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eVintage-style soft wool knit trims, loosely-knit ribbing as 1950s Sukajan originals.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDouble labelling (inside slash pocket on blue side), featuring both KOSHO \u0026amp; Co (the original name of the Yokohama fabric trading company that would merge with TOYO Enterprises around 1965, today the World’s most respected sukajan manufacturer under the “Tailor Toyo” label), alongside the MF® rayon woven label.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eLimited collector’s edition.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDesigned in USA.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eThe Joe Greene Approved.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003ePATTERN\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAn original mfsc\/Tailor Toyo pattern inspired by 1950s Sukajan and 1960s Vietjan souvenir\/tour jackets.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eFABRIC\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eFine 100% rayon acetate twill “A” and “B” sides.Quilted “A” side with 100% cotton fiber batting (padding).\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eSIZING\/FIT\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eThe Mister Freedom® CALI-JAN souvenir jacket has been carefully processed (rinsed and steamed) by experienced sukajan-expert garment professionals.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eIt has a vintage appearance due to the light puckering of the stitching and embroidery, and subtle shrinking of the rayon fabric.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDo not attempt to hot-soak or wash this garment, it has already been processed and is ready-to-wear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eThe CALI-JAN may be considered true-to-size by some, or running a bit small for others, according to body types and fit expectations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eIt features a slightly longer body than some of the original vintage Sukajan with their often shrunken and cropped bodies.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eI now navigate between MEDIUM and SMALL in mfsc jackets, and opted for a Medium in the CALI-JAN.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eThe SMALL fit better in length for my tastes, but was too tight in the chest.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eI am ~ 5.7′ \/ 145 Lbs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003ePlease refer to sizing chart for approximate measurements.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eNote that due to the raglan sleeve pattern, arm length is measured from armpit (not shoulder seam) to knit cuff.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eCARE\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eIn other words, this garment is not intended for gardening.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eSTORY\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eOur initial collaboration on an old-school souvenir-type jacket with “Tailor Toyo” was the “Party Jacket” (2015 Saigon Cowboy collection), followed by the “Mururoa Jacket” (mfsc 2016 Anniversary Collection) and moon landing with the “Apollo ’69 Jacket” in 2017.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eTailor Toyo is undeniably the world’s most legit manufacturer of traditional  Sukajan (スカジャン) garments, i.e. the flashy embroidered jackets everyone into heritage fashion is familiar with today.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eSee my 2015 ramblings for a deep dive into the historical background of those jackets.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eThe name “Sukajan” originated in the port of YOKOSUKA, Japan, sometime in the late 1940s.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAfter becoming a U.S.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eNavy base in 1946, local traditional silk embroidery tailors started seeing a demand for customized uniforms, eventually leading to creating flashy original custom-made jackets (jumpers) for military personnel stationed in occupied Japan.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eThe jackets, featuring elaborate Japanese motifs and at-times boasting unit\/branch pride blended with local flavor, were intended to be worn off-duty, or as bring-home souvenirs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eKid-size Sukajan that pop up on the vintage market once in a while are surviving examples of happy  “Daddy’s home!” moments.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eThis customization practice was probably inherited from the old naval tradition of personalizing one’s gear (hand-painted sea bags with mermaids and the likes, concealed hand-stitched “branding” eventually evolving into the concept of “liberty cuffs”), and taken to the next level by the US Asiatic Fleet touring exotic locations where skilled tailors offered their services for affordable bespoke uniforms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAfter some sustained popularity with post-WWII American troops stationed in Europe and with US Armed Forces during the Korean War (1950-53), the Sukajan made a splashy comeback with boots on the ground involved in the Vietnam conflict (1954-75).\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eThose 1960s-era South-East Asia Sukajan are also referred-to as Viet-Jan (aka Vietjan, or vietojam, whatever works phonetically in Japan.) These are often way less PC than their Japanese forefathers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eMost vintage VietJan convey the gung-ho vibe of period military moral patches, not exactly everyone’s cup of tea – make it “half oat milk\/half regular organic milk iced cappuccino, I appreciate you, thanks” – in today’s new paradigm of softer “cancel culture”.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eEmbroidery designs to choose from in local shops were many while in country.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eThe catchy rocker “When I die I’ll go to Heaven because I’ve spent my time in Hell” was a popular classic, often riding atop a colored map of South East Asia, with North Vietnam, South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia embroidered in four primary colors.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eThailand got lost, blending in the color of the jacket base fabric.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eThe style of embroidery techniques and jacket bodies greatly differed according to the Theater of Operation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eJapan-made Sukajan mostly flashed elaborate machine-made embroideries using fine silk threads on rayon acetate or velvet bodies, and were often reversible.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eA more discreet “B” side was an option the wearer might find better suited for specific occasions or civvy crowds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eVietjan tended to feature hand-stitched cotton yarn embroideries on a cheap black cotton twill body, or a GI-issued ERDL poncho liner, and lined with whatever recycled fabric was around.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAuthentic vintage Sukajan and Vietjan are highly collectible today, and valuable slices of History no one can\/should erase.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eFor our CALI-JAN project, we wanted to merge both vintage 1950s Sukajan and 1960s Vietjan vibes, and, for the graphics, remove military references while paying tribute to our beautiful State of California… Simple task.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAfter a bit of creative R\u0026amp;D, eureka, we had our “could have existed” design plan!\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eWe decided to go with a map of California as the main rear panel statement, but in the style of Vietjan four-color maps.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eVersions of this idea had been explored before, but, from what I quickly gathered on the interwebs, using cheap silkscreening prints or computer-operated embroidery machines producing mass volumes, rather than the authentic period style hand-operated machines that actually required an operator’s dedication and skills.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAnd graphic-wise, we had room to play.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eRegarding the artwork, these are the references for the “A” side:\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eFirst off, blue and gold is not only a traditional and desirable color combo for 1950s vintage rayon acetate Sukajan, but they also happen to be the official colors of the State of California.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eOn the chest stands the mighty JOE GREENE, our 12 yo Toy Poodle, 8 1\/2 pounds of pure resilience and badassness, venerated patriarch of the MF® family.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e“Cowabunga, dude” is an expression associated with vintage surfing culture (surf is the actual official sport of the State of CA), a dated line roughly meaning “cool, man!” while conveying surprise.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eJoe (like Charlie) don’t surf, but he’s 100% California native.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eThe Joshua tree is an endangered and very rare species of US Southwest desert trees, symbol of JT National Park and the Mojave Desert, and CA desert culture.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDon’t mess with them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eFor the map graphic, there are several ways to split California in sections, some politically controversial.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eWe opted for the four main natural geographical regions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eYellow is the Pacific Coast, blue are the mountainous areas, green the Central Valley, and red the desert.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eWe playfully only selected a few cities to highlight:\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e* Sacramento: makes sense as our State Capital.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e* San Francisco: not referenced on the map by its usual Golden Gate Bridge but rather by Frank Bullitt’s 1968 “highland green” Ford Mustang GT.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e* Bakersfield: small town, home of the Bakersfield Sound (a specific Country \u0026amp; Western music style\/sound), pinned on the map by Buck Owens’ Mosrite Guitar-made patriotic red\/white\/blue acoustic, brought to fame on his popular TV show Hee-Haw.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e* Los Angeles: of course, Mister Freedom®’s home at 7161 Beverly Blvd, surrounded by iconic California poppies, our beautiful official state flower.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e* Santa Catalina Island: my favorite CA island, thanks to a few fabulous Aliens from out of this world (Allyn\/Scott\/Jillian\/John\/Mario\/…)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eNorma Jeane is striking the pose on a beach in Avalon, far from Hollywood’s spotlights.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eShe briefly lived on the island in the mid 1940s with her first husband, one lucky Merchant Marine.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eThe waves and hand-drawn cursive lettering are inspired by traditional Japanese Sukajan styles.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eWe opted for a quilted “A” side, inspired by that vintage New Old Stock “Kosho \u0026amp; Co” Sukajan I scored around 1992 in an Oklahoma City, OK, remote Salvation Army store, a fun anecdote related here if you’re bored.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eFor the “B” side, we opted for a complimenting rayon blue\/red color combo, non-quilted construction.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eThe hand-drawn “California” lettering of the back has more of a vintage satin baseball jacket style, reminiscent of 1950s club jackets.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eSpin some old school street-corner harmonies like “The Wanderer” (1961) by Dion \u0026amp; the Belmonts and watch the 1979 flick for the Wanderers gang ref.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eThe California Republic’s “brown grizzly bear walking a patch of green grass” adopted in 1911 was an obvious choice for the “B” side chest, flanked by a thorny succulent, because who doesn’t like a wheel cactus…\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eOur choice of traditional two-sided red\/white\/blue ribbed knit trims for cuffs\/waistband\/collar completes the picture.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eThis loosely-knit wool blend ribbing is typical of authentic Sukajan, and is a far cry from contemporary stretchy elastic webbing used on modern athletic jackets.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAs always, the design part (i.e. doodling) was the easiest.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eRough drawings and confusingly-worded round-eye instructions were passed on to the experts at Tailor Toyo.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eThey looked at it all, looked at each others, shook their heads and rolled their eyes, yet went to work to make it all happen!\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eSketches were translated into embroidery patterns for sample making.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eMany adjustments followed until everyone was happy with the final prototype.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eMonths later, expert embroidery machine craftsmen with decades of experience worked their magic for one single, very limited production run.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eThere it is.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eThe MF® x Tailor Toyo “CALI-JAN” souvenir jacket is designed in California, USA by Mister Freedom®, and crafted with love in limited edition in Japan by Toyo Enterprise.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eView full blog post\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Mister Freedom","offers":[{"title":"Medium","offer_id":52956491284759,"sku":"MFSC-1444-M","price":950.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large","offer_id":52956491317527,"sku":"MFSC-1444-L","price":950.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"XL","offer_id":52956491350295,"sku":"MFSC-1444-XL","price":950.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"XXL","offer_id":52956491383063,"sku":"MFSC-1444-XXL","price":950.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"XXXL - Last One","offer_id":52956491415831,"sku":"MFSC-1444-XXXL","price":950.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0992\/5994\/1143\/files\/MisterFreedomCali-Jan_2.jpg?v=1777511033","url":"https:\/\/therightgarment.com\/products\/mister-freedom-cali-jan-souvenir-jacket","provider":"The Right Garment","version":"1.0","type":"link"}