Closeouts

Clearance - Now $150.00 off retail price of $450.00 - get one while they last!!! Special pricing applies only to sizes in stock.  These are first quality with full manufacturer's warranty and may be returned for exchange for any item we offer or to have the credit value applied as non-expiring store credit, but no refunds will be provided on this clearance item.

The U. S. M-1943 Field Jacket is an iconic U. S. Army garment from WWII.  Immediately after the war, many, many items of military issue were available as surplus and HBT (herringbone twill) camouflage fabric was one such item, as it had been withdrawn from use by the U. S. Army before the war ended.  While deemed of limited benefit for combat use, the camouflage fabric was welcomed by hunters who, up until that time, had nothing of its kind widely available.  Various items of civilian hunting attire were made from the surplus camouflage fabric and copies of U. S. Army jackets, trousers, shirts, and one-piece suits were among these offerings, not the least being the M-1943 Field Jacket.

Utilizing their incredible HBT frog-skin camouflage fabric, Buzz Rickson's brand has created this special offering of an M-1943 Field Jacket following the classic 370C Spec. of 1943.  The camouflage HBT fabric is custom made following the original spec. on vintage shuttle looms in the super-desirable, early shade with a distinctly yellowish cast to the background coloring.  All buttons are genuine urea, not cheap plastic, exactly as would be correct for the era, pockets are lined in heavy twill, adjusting drawstring at waist, double-button throat closure, and assembly performed with all-cotton thread.  Once completed, the jackets are given a light, vintage wash for a subdued finish to the colors, as if the jacket had survived in someone's attic in perfect condition since the 1950's.

We can comfortably fit up to 46" chest measures in this style.  Please see SIZING TIPS for guidance in ordering the correct size.

Buzz Rickson's products are imported from Japan

Close-Out Clearance!  Now $70.00 off retail price of $195.00  Special pricing applies only to sizes in stock.  These are first quality and may be returned for exchange for any item we offer or to have the credit value applied as non-expiring store credit, but no refunds will be provided on this clearance item.

Nicknamed Monkey Pants, these combat trousers were developed in 1944 for the USMC as a replacement for the 1941-Pattern Herringbone Twill (HBT) Utility Trousers, the 1944-Pattern HBT trousers differed significantly, most notably in having a large pocket on the rear and hip pockets, while the all-cotton HBT fabric in light-shade olive drab was the same rugged, heavyweight material used to fabricate the earlier trousers and coats.

Buzz Rickson brand has duplicated these trousers to its usual high level of quality and authenticity, including having the HBT fabric made on vintage looms and sewing the trousers using all-cotton thread on vintage sewing machines, with all stress points correctly bar tacked for extra strength.  Additionally, the trousers are outfitted with black-lacquered USMC buttons and they have been given an industrial cold-water rinse to minimize shrinkage and provide greater softness and a look of vintage appeal rather than a rigid, out-of-the-box new look.  Buzz Rickson military trousers are intended for hard, active use and long life; these are uniform items, NOT costumery.

Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Buzz Rickson’s goods are imported from Japan

Clearance - Now $150.00 off retail price of $350.00 - get one while they last!!! Special pricing applies only to sizes in stock.  These are first quality with full manufacturer's warranty and may be returned for exchange for any item we offer or to have the credit value applied as non-expiring store credit, but no refunds will be provided on this clearance item.

The designers at Buzz Rickson have added the famous removable liner to their offerings, thus enabling their masterpiece M-65 Field Jacket to be enjoyed with all the versatility the vintage jacket made famous. The Buzz Rickson removable liner is complete with all of the features found on the vintage liners, including the inner batting made of 100% polyester for cold weather and the button holes that allow the liner to be married to the buttons on the inside of the M-65 Field Jacket. But this Buzz Rickson liner goes even further, being made in genuine U. S. Army camouflage and adding a few features sometimes added on an individual basis by the wearer to make the liner even more versatile, such as a frontal zipper with snap-down closure, an interior pocket, and two exterior pockets; these additional features allow the liner to be worn as a jacket on its own!

The liner outer shell is crafted from high-quality, 100% cotton in camouflage, which was not a feature found on the vintage liners but the Buzz Rickson design team thought this would look awesome when worn either as a liner or as an outer jacket.

Whether worn in conjunction with a Buzz Rickson M-65 Field Jacket as part of the military’s time-proven layering system or on its own, this Buzz Rickson M-65 Removable Liner is sure to please on many levels. Please note the following features found on this Buzz Rickson masterpiece: 

• Precision copy of a vintage label design (though the label states that the liner should not be dry cleaned, Buzz Rickson only endorses dry cleaning of their liner, thus the label text is reproduced purely for authenticity)
• Custom manufacturing of the all-cotton fabric using vintage looms, and screen printing of the original U. S. Army camouflage pattern
• Two open-top pockets on liner exterior
• One interior pocket
• Exact copy of a vintage CONMATIC zipper in brass with zip tape made of all-cotton HBT fabric and not incorrect poly-cotton. The HBT fabric is light olive drab, creating an attractive contrast against the camouflage outer shell.
• Blackened-brass press studs on the liner closure to secure the wind flap over the zipper
• All attachment tabs and buttonholes to provide for securing the liner correctly to the  M-65 Field Jacket
• Assembly using vintage sewing machines

Even sizes XS-XXL Regular.   The fit is generous, thus a 46” chest measure can be comfortably accommodated in size XXL. Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Buzz Rickson goods are imported from Japan

SLIGHT Factory Second:  $150.00 off retail price of $575.00!  This is an extreme rarity, but we have just one example in stock that reflects slight damage, thus precluding it from being sold at full retail price.  This is an absolutely new, unworn jacket that still comes with its factory warranty and return privelages, too, so your satisfaction is guaranteed. Unfortunately, when this was produced, two small spots on the rear of the wool waistband got snagged on the sewing machine needle or foot, creating two small pulls in the knit, both of which have now been factory repaired using matching thread, so they are as tight and strong as any other part of the knit band.  Anyone interested may contact us in this regard and we will supply a photo of the repaired area for review.  This will be an even-bigger bargain compared to coming fall inventory, when the new stock reflects the manufacturer's price increase of over $100.00 on this style.

The U. S. Air Force Type B-15C Intermediate Flight Jacket replaced the earlier Olive Drab B-15B Flight Jacket beginning in 1950.  The early B-15C Flight Jackets were produced in the same Olive Drab of the B-15B Flight Jackets, while later-production B-15C Flight Jackets, which represented the majority of this spec., were produced in USAF Blue.  By 1950, the USAF began changing the color of most of its flying clothing from Olive Drab to Air Force Blue as part of an overall plan to forge a separate identity from the other branches of service, especially the army. Though all B-15C Flight Jackets are scarce, a Type B-15C (mod.) Flight Jacket is truly a very special and rare garment, and a B-15C (mod.) Flight Jacket in Olive Drab stands as the rarest of these two modified B-15C Flight Jacket styles.

The designation of “mod.” stands for modified, meaning the B-15 Flight Jacket has been “modified” by a USAF Materiel Command Depot in accordance with a USAF directive of 1954.  The directive called for all of the types of B-15 Flight Jackets on issue or in stock to be “modified," whereupon the factory-installed fur collar was to be removed and a wool knit collar installed in its place.  This modification was intended to reduce the flight jacket’s flammability that was considered greater with a fur collar in place.  B-15 Flight Jackets so modified were to have a new label indicating this new “modified” status sewn either directly over the original factory label or located somewhere under the original label.  The label information could be printed, typed, hand written or applied with a stencil or ink stamp on any available fabric.  Since the modification was performed after the jacket was originally made, it is typical to find the thread color around the collar area not matching the thread that assembled the B-15 Flight Jacket, and it is also common to find the new knit collar color to be in a shade that doesn’t quite match the knit on the rest of the jacket.  In all other ways, the flight jacket remained a B-15 Flight Jacket of whatever spec. it was originally - B-15A, B-15B, B-15C or B-15D.

Buzz Rickson brand takes other extraordinary steps to recreate this classic jacket style in the exact, same manner of original production.  The nylon twill used in the lining of the original garments is a lighter type from that used on the exterior (because the USAF reasoned that the lining would be subject to less wear and tear), and indeed Buzz Rickson has recreated both weights of nylon twill for their reproduction, but supreme, museum-grade authenticity does not stop there.  The original nylon twill, being produced in large runs by various manufacturers, would also reflect slight color shifts in each dye lot produced - nothing outlandish, mind you, but noticeable enough when you hold one roll of fabric against another from a different dye lot or different manufacturer.  To counter this unavoidable color deviation, the USAF specs. stipulated that a jacket had to me made from fabric that was entirely from the same dye lot, except for small pieces of the jacket such as the interior pocket welting.  Astute observers of the original garments are aware of this detail, and so are the jacket masters at Buzz Rickson, thus Buzz Rickson brand goes the extraordinary extra mile and expense and has two purposely different shades of nylon twill produced (albeit subtly different shades), so that the interior pocket welting does indeed appear to be subtly different in shade from the rest of the jacket lining, exactly duplicating a normal result of true, mass production in a reproduction garment that has nothing in common with mass production and is crafted in small batches with love.

The B-15C (mod.) Flight Jacket’s lightweight construction, comfortable non-bulky warmth, fabulous blue color and natural good looks made this style an instant success with jet jockeys at bases around the world, as well as anyone who could beg, borrow or steal one of these coveted gems.  It was intended for wear in climates between 22 degrees and 52 degrees Fahrenheit, thus ideally suited for early spring, late fall and winter.  The famous USAF MA-1 Flight Jacket was directly derived from the “modified” B-15 Flight Jackets in 1957.  Although superseded by the MA-1 Flight Jacket, it was not uncommon to find an old veteran still wearing some of the B-15 series flight jackets in their “modified” configurations into the 1960s.  The popularity of B-15 Flight Jacket series produced one of the longest continued service careers of any flight jacket in the history of the USAF.

Buzz Rickson has reproduced the B-15C (mod.) Flying Jacket in exacting detail. Buzz Rickson’s heavy-weight, nylon twill fabric is never to be confused with the cheap, flimsy flight satin used by lesser manufacturers to produce so-called vintage reproduction USAF flying jackets.  In fact, the only other flying jackets in the world today made from this nylon are those vintage examples of the USAF!  This Buzz Rickson’s B-15C (mod.) Flying Jacket correctly captures all the nuances found on an original vintage  B-15C (mod.), making this product virtually indistinguishable from an original vintage example of the USAF.  Take note of these authentic features:

• Copy of original maker’s label design produced on a vintage shuttle loom

• Authentic typewritten label indicating the “modified” status sewn on top of factory label

• Custom manufacturing of the correct weight and weave Olive Drab nylon outer and inner lining shell to precisely match 1950 USAF specs. and treated to repel water

• Correct USAF-spec. inner lining of warm alpaca and wool fiber filling sandwiched between the outer and inner shell lining

• Collar area authentically sewn with thread that does not match the thread used to assemble the rest of the jacket, exactly as on a “modified” B-15

• Two snap-down interior pockets lined with heavy 100% cotton twill fabric precisely matching 1950 USAF specs.

• Two snap-down exterior pockets lined with warm 80/20 wool-rayon fabric precisely matching 1950 USAF specs.

• Exact copy of the super-desirable, spring-loaded late 1940s Crown zippers on sleeve pocket and jacket front, with zip tape made of all-cotton HBT fabric, not incorrect poly-cotton

• Center-set frontal zip closure, exactly matching original B-15C specs.

• Heavy wind flap protector located behind zipper closure

• Correct USAF-spec. leather pull tabs on zippers

• Custom manufacturing of the correct two-ply 100% worsted-wool knit collar, cuffs and waist skirt in olive drab, with the collar knit correctly not matching the color of the cuffs and waist skirt in keeping with the way an original “modified” jacket would appear

• Brown leather tab correctly sewn to left front chest for attaching oxygen mask retainer clip

• Two snap-down tabs (one on each breast) for retaining headset and microphone wiring leads, exactly as on original vintage B-15Cs

• USAF insignia transfer on left sleeve and under maker label in lining

• Zippered pocket on left sleeve outfitted with four pen/pencil slots and two anti-puncture pencil caps made of USAF-spec. brass

Sizes available:  36-44.   Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Crown is a registered trademark in the USA of History Preservation Associates

Imported from Japan

BLOWOUT clearance sale until our stock is exhausted - $25.00 off retail!

This vintage tee shirt design is typical of those used by sports teams back in the day, where the trim color on collar and the entire sleeve denoted the team.  Our classic, vintage-style tee shirt was produced exclusively for ELMC by the John Lofgren workshops of Japan. The expertise in making such a garment is really only found in one place in the world these days – Japan - and John Lofgren is the master.

These tee shirts are created using a thread that was developed in Japan that replicates the look and feel of vintage fabric; because these cottons all have different length staples (fibers), the thread has a distinctive texture that is similar to vintage fabric. This specialized thread is called ‘Raffy’, which is a combination of American Supima cotton, Egyptian cotton and Turfan cotton. The fabric is then woven on rare, vintage, circular knitting machines, so the body is a complete tube with no side seam and known as “body-size.”

Tube-knitting machines can only weave one set diameter per loom; this means the factory needs a different loom for each size - very expensive - which is why you hardly ever see true tube construction in modern-day garments. Tube construction ensures true shape is maintained, not only during its construction, but during its life of wear.  This is the proper way to make a tee shirt; in the good old days, the proper way was the only way.

The body section is produced by one company and another makes the ribbing - each specializing in their own field of expertise. The cost is, naturally, much more expensive than regular mass-produced material, but the finished product is superior. Of course, all of the authentic detailing is incorporated in the design, thus these classic, vintage tee shirts have shorter sleeves than most contemporary tee shirts, which was known back in the day as quarter sleeves. And our shirts have the vintage fit, which is sensibly trim and lacking sloppy, droopy shoulders, excess blouse in the body width and length, and no sleeves hanging down to your elbows. Lastly, the labels in the neck are woven on vintage shuttle looms for the correct vintage look and feel.  

Available in sizes 36 - 46.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.  

Imported from Japan

CLOSE-OUT!  Regular retail price $1, 675.00, now clearance priced nearly 50% off.  This is the end of the line for this style, which will not be offered again.  Special pricing applies only to sizes in stock.  These are all first quality, and they come with full manufacturer's warranty.  If you are not satisfied for any reason, you may return your purchase for exchange for any item we offer or your return may be applied toward a non-expiring store credit for future use, but no refunds will be provided for this clearance offer.   

The Luftwaffe (German Air Force) ruled the skies after the outbreak of WWII in September 1939. During that time, many of their fighter pilots became some of the highest scoring aces in history. The egos of these dashing pilots and close quarters inside the cockpits of their Messerschmitt 109s spawned the need for a practical and stylish flight jacket. Since no issue flight jacket existed other than cumbersome flying suits, beginning in May 1940 these pilots were authorized to privately purchase their own waist-length leather flight jackets as long as they conformed to a basic design; accordingly, these flight jackets are the most unique of any in WWII since the features of design were as varied as the individual.

For the first time since WWII, this fine style has been copied in a typical form. Our Luftwaffe leather flight jacket example features: premium, 3-ounce weight vegetable-tanned horsehide in your choice of black or brown; warm, all-cotton moleskin lining in Luftwaffe blue; two zippered breast pockets; two slash lower pockets; deep, zippered pistol pocket inside; snap-down throat clasp, belt clasp and cuffs; belted side adjusters; zippered forearm openings, authentic label in German text and more... This tasteful and stylish design is extremely versatile. Made to our usual exacting standards, this flight jacket will serve you as faithfully as the German pilots did the Luftwaffe; whether flying, motorcycling, or just everyday casual wear, this tasteful design is a versatile garment whatever the occasion.

Sizes available: 36-48 regular. Long and extra-long fittings available at no additional cost on custom order only.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.  

Imported from England  

Closeout!  Last few left - SAVE $80.00 off retail price of $235.00 - while supplies last!

Those of you familiar with the Sugar Cane, Buzz Rickson's, and Sun Surf brands we import from Japan will understand the dedication to quality, uniqueness of design, vintage aesthetics, and the employment of vintage machinery used to create their amazing articles of clothing that have been equally captured under the brand Star of Hollywood.  

Star of Hollywood was an American brand of the 1950's that established a niche for producing some wildly unique shirt designs, with some of the more renowned featuring diamonds or tarantulas.  The same manufacturing minds that have given us Sugar Cane, Buzz Rickson's, and Sun Surf have resurrected Star of Hollywood on a very limited basis.  The shirt designs are original creations and not reproductions of what Star of Hollywood once produced, but the overall vibe and look is spot on with the original Star of Hollywood, making this a go-to label for those who thrive on standing out from the crowd in a retro way that's not at all dated.

This shirt is fabricated from the same pedigree of high-quality rayon acetate that perfectly duplicates the hand and weight of the long-lost rayon of the “good old days.”  Just as with the original fabric it copies, this material is extremely breathable and airy, and it takes the original screen printing inks as splendidly as did the vintage originals.

Salient shirt details include:

• Custom manufacture of high-quality, super-fine cotton on vintage looms
• Discharge-printed graphics
• Vintage-style urea pearl buttons
• Single button-closure hidden chest pocket
• Satin-lined yoke

To help preserve the color and fabric, dry cleaning is the only laundering method endorsed by the manufacturer.

Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Imported from Japan

Sugar Cane Vintage Work Shirts are for those who can appreciate the myriad of nuances and character found in the finest single-malt scotch, the clearest, most colorless diamond or hand-crafted, centuries-old Persian rug.  Original and distinctive styling features of the 1930’s – 40’s have been incorporated throughout each shirt design, including in this style the high-density, heavy-weight flannel twill dyed in a bygone process so it will wear and fade exactly as those cherished vintage shirts once did, making this a favorite in your wardrobe.  Sugar Cane typically offers three different flannel twills in their heavy-weight shirts and this flannel twill is of a medium softness compared to Sugar Cane’s soft twill or hard twill.

This is rugged and stylish American history at its best, and it is also going to look fabulous when worn because it is cut to flatter the body, unlike the ultra-loose styles so often encountered everywhere today.  Quantities are very limited.  Take note of these vintage features and details found only on a work shirt of this pedigree:

• Placket-front closure
• Open-top pockets with bar tacked corners for extra strength
• Collar stand for crisper appearance
• Double-stitching and rolled seams
• Reinforced shoulder yoke for greater durability at this crucial abrasion area
• Custom manufacturing of genuine urea buttons in magnificent navy blue
• Custom manufacturing of a high-density, heavy-weight, all cotton flannel twill that will fade as did vintage examples and continue to get softer and cozier from each wearing
• All-cotton thread employed in sewing
• Exact copy of the vintage-style rayon-on-cotton labels
• True vintage fit for flattering appearance, not sloppy, relaxed fit with droopy shoulder seams

Sizes available:  Med. -  XL.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Imported from Japan

Last one left closeout - 45% off retail @ $150.00!

We love this shirt – magnificent vintage red and navy blue buttons!

Sugar Cane Vintage Work Shirts are for those who can appreciate the myriad of nuances and character found in the finest single-malt scotch, the clearest, most colorless diamond or hand-crafted, centuries-old Persian rug.  Original and distinctive styling features of the 1930’s – 40’s have been incorporated throughout each shirt design, including in this style the high-density, heavy-weight flannel twill dyed in a bygone process so it will wear and fade exactly as those cherished vintage shirts once did, making this a favorite in your wardrobe.  Sugar Cane typically offers three different flannel twills in their heavy-weight shirts and this flannel twill is of a medium softness compared to Sugar Cane’s soft twill or hard twill.

This is rugged and stylish American history at its best, and it is also going to look fabulous when worn because it is cut to flatter the body, unlike the ultra-loose styles so often encountered everywhere today.  Quantities are very limited.  Take note of these vintage features and details found only on a work shirt of this pedigree:

• Placket-front closure
• Open-top pockets with bar tacked corners for extra strength
• Collar stand for crisper appearance
• Double-stitching and rolled seams
• Reinforced shoulder yoke for greater durability at this crucial abrasion area
• Custom manufacturing of genuine urea buttons in magnificent navy blue
• Custom manufacturing of a high-density, heavy-weight, all cotton flannel twill that will fade as did vintage examples and continue to get softer and cozier from each wearing
• All-cotton thread employed in sewing
• Exact copy of the vintage-style rayon-on-cotton labels
• True vintage fit for flattering appearance, not sloppy, relaxed fit with droopy shoulder seams

Sizes available:  Med. -  XL.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Imported from Japan