Freewheelers Mulholland in Vintage Brown

[Monitor]

Dude, perfect, just as the other one. I wouldn't think you were crazy if you bought two more!

My problem... Well, it isn't a problem at all but just something about these "regular" jackets - y'know, the dress collar, straight zipper, etc. - that bothers me is that no matter how much I like the idea, once I put them on, I feel like wearing a completely plain, featureless, boring jacket that any cheapo online leather jacket store could've provided me with. I know this has no base in reality but I can't help it.

On the other hand, there are maybe two or three models of these jackets that I find have crossed over to the cool side, without deviating from the style in any dramatic way.
This is one of those jacket.
The slash pockets, the hardware, the hem, cuffs, stitching details... It's all just badass. I don't know what exactly Freewheelers advertises this jacket as but this jacket belongs on a motorcycle.
Also love that nearly seamless body to collar transition. The entire jacket is just so well made and so thought out down to the last stitch. Deeply admirable.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

Very simple, straightforward yet profound. I realy appreciate the myriad simple, yet excellent details on this jacket. I personally do not mind the black lining in that jacket - but it's not mine so I get that you may not like it. It's interesting how it now fits on you so very well. Good job on the weight loss and strength training! I'm in the gym quite a bit these days, and it's helping out as well. Enjoy and wear it in good heath!

Thanks! I do think all the details of the jacket come together nicely. Congrats on your gym consistency too. It is certainly quite helpful and a great habit that I need to keep up.

Dude, perfect, just as the other one. I wouldn't think you were crazy if you bought two more!

My problem... Well, it isn't a problem at all but just something about these "regular" jackets - y'know, the dress collar, straight zipper, etc. - that bothers me is that no matter how much I like the idea, once I put them on, I feel like wearing a completely plain, featureless, boring jacket that any cheapo online leather jacket store could've provided me with. I know this has no base in reality but I can't help it.

On the other hand, there are maybe two or three models of these jackets that I find have crossed over to the cool side, without deviating from the style in any dramatic way.
This is one of those jacket.
The slash pockets, the hardware, the hem, cuffs, stitching details... It's all just badass. I don't know what exactly Freewheelers advertises this jacket as but this jacket belongs on a motorcycle.
Also love that nearly seamless body to collar transition. The entire jacket is just so well made and so thought out down to the last stitch. Deeply admirable.

Thanks so much for the kind words. I think I sort of understand what you mean, but it may be a little bit different than what you are thinking, but here it goes: When I first got into leather jackets, there were two models that I didn't like and thought that I would never buy- A2s and half belts. I thought they were too standard and boring, especially half belts. A2s I mostly did not like for how they fit and for the terrible image they had as being worn by dads and politicians 7 sizes too large. I came around on the A2 after seeing how nice good fitting ones looked, but half belts took much longer. My feelings were similar to yours. They were just so standard to me that even when I saw posts of great ones that fit well, I still didn't really want one because I wanted something more "unique" like a grizzly or a cossack or a cross zip.

Now, three out of the four jackets I own are half belts or at least, half belt-esque and two are the exact same model in different colors. Part of it is that I think that half belts fit my style and part of it is that the jackets I own fit me well. Of course, another part of it is that I love all the unique details that Freewheelers jackets have that make them feel a little more unique in terms of half belts, at least to me anyway. With that said, the Caboose is more 'standard' than the Mulholland. It's got a lot of nice details, an interesting back, and a lot of stitching embellishments, and a beautiful leather color (IMO of course), but it's not as distinguishable. The Mulholland on the other hand is much more unique in my view and in fact, I think it might be one of, if not the most unique half belt jacket out there.

Your assessment that it should be on a motorcycle is spot on. It has attitude, almost as if a cross zip was turned into a standard, straight zip, half belt length jacket. The bottom panel, the zippered slash pockets, the snap cuffs instead of button cuffs, and the stitching embellishments certainly help, especially the stitch lines that continue from the pockets up to the center zip, but I think the cut and the collar help the most. It flares out more like a cross zip jacket does rather than the way half belts tend to sit and the collar is wide and flat, more like a cross zip as well. Either way, I have to say that this does feel like the jacket for me and although my Sunset is still my favorite largely because of its comfort due to the leather and the liner, the Mulhollands look the best on me.

This could all be a bunch of nonsense, but this is what I thought of when I read your post.

 

[Lebowski]

The Mulholland on the other hand is much more unique in my view and in fact, I think it might be one of, if not the most unique half belt jacket out there.

FW Mulholland really looks fabulous in brown color, as much as in black, only one correction - FW Mulholland isn't a HB jacket. It's based on an early CHP pattern.

 

[Mich486]

I think he’s referring to the Caboose.

In general, however, I don’t think “half-belt” defines any jacket category (like instead “perfecto” does) and says much about a jacket model in itself. To me it’s like saying a jacket with storm cuffs. Jackets with a half-belt surely come in all possible different configurations (cross-zips, buttoned, centre-zip etc.).


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[Lebowski]

I think he’s referring to the Caboose.

In general, however, I don’t think “half-belt” defines any jacket category (like instead “perfecto” does) and says much about a jacket model in itself. To me it’s like saying a jacket with storm cuffs. Jackets with a half-belt surely come in all possible different configurations (cross-zips, buttoned, centre-zip etc.).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

FW Caboose is surely HB, Mulholland isn't. Anyway, both abovementioned FWs (as much as many other FWs) are very very nice jackets, love this maker too.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

FW Mulholland really looks fabulous in brown color, as much as in black, only one correction - FW Mulholland isn't a HB jacket. It's based on an early CHP pattern.

Yeah that's my bad. I meant to say "standard/half belt-esque" jacket.

I used to make the mistake of calling any standard, straight zip jacket with a collar and two handwarmer pockets a half belt and I am breaking that habit recently, but I still let it slip sometimes.

 

[El Marro]

Congratulations on a great addition to your collection Dude!

 

[Superfluous]

Whether it be half-belts, cafe racers, or something else, I too prefer simple, straight zip leather jackets.

Having said that, when viewing unworn jackets and/or jackets worn by others, I am consistently drawn to cross-zips. IMHO, cross-zips are visually more interesting and dynamic (for example, @Monitor 's new LW is spectacular). Yet, I don't want to wear one.

The primary reason for my subtle aversion to cross-zips is the extra material when unzipped. I wear my jackets unzipped most of the time and I prefer the way straight zipped jackets lay when unzipped. With the cross-zip, the extra material when unzipped is, dare I say, superfluous. Secondarily, I have a persistent and stubborn perception of cross-zips as more audacious and avant-garde, and therefore inconsistent with my more simple aesthetic. I am well aware that there are many gorgeous cross-zips with remarkably simple lines, but my dogged perception endures.

Thus, for the time being, I remain a loyal patron of straight zips.

 

[Monitor]

Thanks! I do think all the details of the jacket come together nicely. Congrats on your gym consistency too. It is certainly quite helpful and a great habit that I need to keep up.



Thanks so much for the kind words. I think I sort of understand what you mean, but it may be a little bit different than what you are thinking, but here it goes: When I first got into leather jackets, there were two models that I didn't like and thought that I would never buy- A2s and half belts. I thought they were too standard and boring, especially half belts. A2s I mostly did not like for how they fit and for the terrible image they had as being worn by dads and politicians 7 sizes too large. I came around on the A2 after seeing how nice good fitting ones looked, but half belts took much longer. My feelings were similar to yours. They were just so standard to me that even when I saw posts of great ones that fit well, I still didn't really want one because I wanted something more "unique" like a grizzly or a cossack or a cross zip.

Now, three out of the four jackets I own are half belts or at least, half belt-esque and two are the exact same model in different colors. Part of it is that I think that half belts fit my style and part of it is that the jackets I own fit me well. Of course, another part of it is that I love all the unique details that Freewheelers jackets have that make them feel a little more unique in terms of half belts, at least to me anyway. With that said, the Caboose is more 'standard' than the Mulholland. It's got a lot of nice details, an interesting back, and a lot of stitching embellishments, and a beautiful leather color (IMO of course), but it's not as distinguishable. The Mulholland on the other hand is much more unique in my view and in fact, I think it might be one of, if not the most unique half belt jacket out there.

Your assessment that it should be on a motorcycle is spot on. It has attitude, almost as if a cross zip was turned into a standard, straight zip, half belt length jacket. The bottom panel, the zippered slash pockets, the snap cuffs instead of button cuffs, and the stitching embellishments certainly help, especially the stitch lines that continue from the pockets up to the center zip, but I think the cut and the collar help the most. It flares out more like a cross zip jacket does rather than the way half belts tend to sit and the collar is wide and flat, more like a cross zip as well. Either way, I have to say that this does feel like the jacket for me and although my Sunset is still my favorite largely because of its comfort due to the leather and the liner, the Mulhollands look the best on me.

This could all be a bunch of nonsense, but this is what I thought of when I read your post.

No nonsense whatsoever. I hear you and, in fact, you pretty much wrote down my exact sentiment about the A-2's, word for word. I've seen many passable fitting ones since I actually started paying attention and stopped disregarding them for a leather sweatshirt, though there's been only two or three in all these years that I have seen that I would care to have owned. Regardless, that's one journey I don't think I ever will undertake. Not sure if it's worth the time, especially since the outcome could easily be a simple realization that it's just not meant for me. Happened before. . .

Half belts I always liked.

But yep, this exact jacket - not the style, not the color but this jacket - really works great for you but then again, how could it not. What you said, it has an attitude of a cross zip, half belt, a lot of CHP (plenty of CAL exclusive details all over it) and there's definitely some cafe racer as well in there as well, due to the overall sleek lines & shape - and it does all this better than some jackets do just the one style they're supposed to be.

Whether it be half-belts, cafe racers, or something else, I too prefer simple, straight zip leather jackets.

Having said that, when viewing unworn jackets and/or jackets worn by others, I am consistently drawn to cross-zips. IMHO, cross-zips are visually more interesting and dynamic (for example, @Monitor 's new LW is spectacular). Yet, I don't want to wear one.

The primary reason for my subtle aversion to cross-zips is the extra material when unzipped. I wear my jackets unzipped most of the time and I prefer the way straight zipped jackets lay when unzipped. With the cross-zip, the extra material when unzipped is, dare I say, superfluous. Secondarily, I have a persistent and stubborn perception of cross-zips as more audacious and avant-garde, and therefore inconsistent with my more simple aesthetic. I am well aware that there are many gorgeous cross-zips with remarkably simple lines, but my dogged perception endures.

Thus, for the time being, I remain a loyal patron of straight zips.

Thanks! Appreciated to hear this from you.

You are right about that extra bunch of leather throwing the jacket off the balance once it's unzipped but I suppose it's the part of the charm. The way they perhaps seem uncomfortable - or not as comfortable - is what's cool about a double rider. Same with engineer boots.

I just find them beautiful, even though I too sometimes need to take a break from the style.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

Congratulations on a great addition to your collection Dude!

Thank you so much!

Whether it be half-belts, cafe racers, or something else, I too prefer simple, straight zip leather jackets.

Having said that, when viewing unworn jackets and/or jackets worn by others, I am consistently drawn to cross-zips. IMHO, cross-zips are visually more interesting and dynamic (for example, @Monitor 's new LW is spectacular). Yet, I don't want to wear one.

The primary reason for my subtle aversion to cross-zips is the extra material when unzipped. I wear my jackets unzipped most of the time and I prefer the way straight zipped jackets lay when unzipped. With the cross-zip, the extra material when unzipped is, dare I say, superfluous. Secondarily, I have a persistent and stubborn perception of cross-zips as more audacious and avant-garde, and therefore inconsistent with my more simple aesthetic. I am well aware that there are many gorgeous cross-zips with remarkably simple lines, but my dogged perception endures.

Thus, for the time being, I remain a loyal patron of straight zips.

I also felt similarly for a while and admired cross zips from afar. I think going the deerskin route was a softer introduction to the cross zip, especially with my jacket having a less motorcycle vibe. If you ever do want to take the plunge, this would be my suggestion.

No nonsense whatsoever. I hear you and, in fact, you pretty much wrote down my exact sentiment about the A-2's, word for word. I've seen many passable fitting ones since I actually started paying attention and stopped disregarding them for a leather sweatshirt, though there's been only two or three in all these years that I have seen that I would care to have owned. Regardless, that's one journey I don't think I ever will undertake. Not sure if it's worth the time, especially since the outcome could easily be a simple realization that it's just not meant for me. Happened before. . .

Half belts I always liked.

But yep, this exact jacket - not the style, not the color but this jacket - really works great for you but then again, how could it not. What you said, it has an attitude of a cross zip, half belt, a lot of CHP (plenty of CAL exclusive details all over it) and there's definitely some cafe racer as well in there as well, due to the overall sleek lines & shape - and it does all this better than some jackets do just the one style they're supposed to be.



Thanks! Appreciated to hear this from you.

You are right about that extra bunch of leather throwing the jacket off the balance once it's unzipped but I suppose it's the part of the charm. The way they perhaps seem uncomfortable - or not as comfortable - is what's cool about a double rider. Same with engineer boots.

I just find them beautiful, even though I too sometimes need to take a break from the style.

Thanks! I think you are right on with the sleek lines as well. Where are more pics of that new LW btw?