Freenote Cloth

Freenote Cloth represents the pinnacle of American craftsmanship, blending heritage workwear with modern style. Founded in 2013 in San Juan Capistrano, California, by brothers Matt and Andrew Brodrick, the brand is dedicated to producing high-quality menswear using traditional construction techniques and the finest materials.

Their denim is a standout, featuring Japanese selvedge denim jeans crafted in the USA. Whether you're after a modern western bootcut like the Wilkes, a 1950s-inspired loose fit with the Belford, or a wide-leg 1930s classic with the Modesto, there's a perfect fit for every denim enthusiast. The Trabuco offers a timeless straight fit, while the Portola delivers a contemporary tapered silhouette.

Freenote is also known for waxed canvas jackets, like the legendary Riders Jacket, featured on the hit TV show Yellowstone. Their rugged flannel shirts, such as the Benson, provide warmth and durability, while their Western shirts—including the Calico, Sinclair, and Modern Western—offer a perfect blend of classic Americana and vintage ranch style. Beyond denim and shirting, Freenote excels in authentic workwear-inspired chinos like the Deck Pant, as well as timeless essentials such as the Scout Shirt, Utility Shirt, Deck Sweater, and military-inspired jackets.

A key part of Freenote’s identity is its commitment to fabric excellence. Working closely with Yoshiwa Mills in Japan, they source some of the most unique and durable textiles available, with deep textures and vintage-inspired weaves that honor the golden era of textile manufacturing. Once the fabric arrives in the USA, every garment is hand-cut and sewn by skilled artisans, preserving the tradition of American-made clothing.

Drawing inspiration from Western wear, military apparel, and classic 1950s motorcycle clothing, Freenote Cloth delivers garments that balance tradition with contemporary fit. These are clothes built to last, designed to age beautifully and stand the test of time. Whether you're looking for the perfect selvedge denim jeans, a tough waxed jacket, or a vintage-inspired Western shirt, Freenote Cloth is a brand that embodies quality, heritage, and authentic American craftsmanship.

Freenote Cloth Riders Jacket RJ-1

The jacket that jump started our love affair with Freenote Cloth is the infamous Freenote Riders Jacket or RJ-1. Featuring American made 10 ounce Martexin waxed canvas, and an ultra soft Japanese Native inspired pattern blanket lining, this jacket is a perfect mash up of ranchwear and western style with a riding jacket. Fit wise, it’s like your favorite denim jacket, tailored and slightly cropped for maximum comfort when moving. It’s no wonder that the producers of the hit TV series Yellowstone opted to drape this piece over their rugged main character, Kayce Dutton. Renowned for its quality, this jacket also boasts front pleats, shoulder gussets for extra mobility, and metal hardware exclusive for Freenote. It’s a heavy jacket, made for when the going gets tough, trusted by ranchers, cowboys, and rockstars alike– it truly is a standout piece that will only get better with age. Coming in several colorways, our favorite is the original Freenote Cloth Riders Jacket RJ-1 Tobacco.

Denim Jeans Made in the USA

The search for quality American made denim these days is tough, but there are some standouts. Freenote Cloth is an exceptional example of when high quality Japanese made selvedge denim meets the skilled hands of American craftsmanship to produce some of the best jeans which are made in the USA.

Freenote Cloth Wilkes Bootcut Western Denim Jeans

The western cowboy jean gets an upgrade. The Wilkes from Freenote Cloth features a full rise western top block, regular thigh and knee for movement and a modern bootcut opening to accommodate cowboy boots or engineer boots. This modern take on the classic western jeans makes it a bit more slim in the opening, to avoid the 70’s style flair that bootcut jeans may conjure up in the mind. We think they are a perfect balance of the cowboy yee-haw style, but adapted for the modern man. Whether on the ranch, at the honky tonk, or the office, you will feel right at home in these jeans which are available in several different denim options.

Freenote Cloth Belford Regular Straight Loose Denim Jeans

The Belford Jeans from Freenote Cloth are a faithful reproduction of this 1950’s biker style denim jeans. Full rise, generous room in the thigh down to the leg opening, make for a perfect 50’s style denim jean. The Belford has instantly become a favorite for us at HepCat, because we all kind of wish we were James Dean. Cruising around on a motorcycle, in a leather jacket and white t-shirt, but what really made his look was the loose straight jeans that stacked over the top of his engineer boots.

Freenote Cloth Modesto Loose High Rise Denim Jeans

The denim of yesteryear, when workers wore jeans in their day to day work. Be it in the railyards, the mines, or atop a towering skyscraper construction over New York City in the 1930’s, people who were working manual labor wore jeans. The Modesto fit from Freenote Cloth is a testament to those hands that built America. Featuring a period rise that sits high on the hip, and wide loose legs that fall there from, the Modesto balances a modern interpretation of this vintage style of workwear jeans.

Drawing Inspiration from the Wild West to World War 2

Freenote Cloth takes inspiration from the Golden Age of American history, blending classic design with durable craftsmanship. The influence of western wear is evident in pieces like the Sinclair Shirt, featuring rounded sawtooth pockets, a western yoke, pearl snap buttons, double-needle stitching, and custom horn buttons. Other standout western shirts include the Modern Western, Calico, and Rancho, each staying true to traditional styling with a refined touch.

Beyond western shirts, Freenote incorporates elements of service and military wear from the U.S. Army and Navy. Their collection nods to classic Navy attire with pieces like the Deck Pants, CPO Wool Shirt, and Deck Sweater, garments that wouldn't look out of place on a 1940s aircraft carrier in the South Pacific.

The brand also pays homage to the 1950s, a defining era when denim and motorcycle culture became iconic. This influence is clear in Freenote’s denim jeans, classic white tees, and Shifter combo t-shirts.

There is a timeless appeal to these kinds of garments, as they remind us of better days. Freenote Cloth perfectly encapsulates this feeling of nostalgia in their clothing and makes garments with the utmost attention to detail utilizing the best in fabrics and hardware, all while maintaining a position to produce all their goods and garments solely in the USA.