The inspiration behind the Mister Freedom® SWABBIES came from a pair of rare 1940’s-50’s private-purchase naval dungarees. If these conformed to the general silhouette and specs of traditional US Navy-issued denim dungarees, they featured really fancy tailoring and intricate pattern work for a pair of work trousers.

The most striking feature of SWABBIES however is the authentic navy bells. Mister Freedom went full-on 1940s-style authentic bells. Unlike 1970s hippy bell bottoms, traditional naval bells flare from the inseam, not the outseam, as the trousers’ profile photo attests. This is due to the fact that traditional navy dungarees feature a wrap-leg pattern style.

Additional details:

10 oz. dark indigo blue 2×1 denim, “snowy” neppy texture, white with yellow line selvedge ID milled in Japan.

• Wrap leg (no outseam.)
• Intricate use of the denim selvedge in construction (folded waistband, front pockets, watch pocket, and rear pockets.)
• Black 1940s-style laurel leaf starburst metal donut waist & fly buttons.
• Front pockets combine complex patch-type and slash-type patterns due to the challenge of the wrap leg. No open seams.
• Rear patch pockets cut using horizontal warp.
• Flat lock chain stitch construction.
• Black tonal all-cotton stitching.
• Bar-tacked stress points.
• Woven rayon mfsc “SURPLUS” label on inside waistband.

The mfsc SWABBIES are designed in California by Mister Freedom®, and manufactured in Japan by Sugar Cane Co., from denim fabric milled in Japan.

IMPORTANT! The SWABBIES come UN-WASHED and are cut so that the measurements match the labeling AFTER an initial cold soak/line dry.

We recommend the usual protocol before wearing:

• Cold soak for about 30-40mn, with occasional hand agitation.
• Spin dry and line dry.
• Wear briefly before fully dry to set creases, then hang until fully dry.

Care: Wash when necessary. We recommend turning the garment inside out to avoid the potential marbling of the denim fabric.

Machine wash with cold water, gentle cycle, eco-friendly mild detergent, and line dry.