Labor Day Reminds Me of Labor Unions which Remind Me of Union Suits, 

and union suits and labor unions and labor day remind me of two prior postings of mine, one from my originial blog, Union Suit Fan, and the other from my companion blog, Union Suit Fans in the Limelight.

In 1941, textile union workers in Knoxville, TN went on strike having stripped first to their union suit underwear. You long time followers, may remember this post in Union Suit Fan on December 4, 2020.

YesterYear - Strident Strikers Strip 

In April, 1941, textile workers walked a picket line in front of the closed Appalachian Mills garment factory in Knoxville, Tennessee. There were no less than thirteen textile mills operating in Knoxville then with most of them producing underwear and socks. Millions of men's and boys' union suits were made here. 

A strike was called because a number of union men were fired from the plant. The striking picketers stripped to their own union suits in a demonstration of unity. Several of the men, some wearing hats, others carrying U.S. flags, but all wearing union suits, carried signs that read: “I Lost My Pants at Appalachian Mills.”

The strikers believed wearing nothing except their union suits would draw much more attention than if they were fully clothed. They were right. Their photo was published in newspapers across America that month. Textile mills in Knoxville produced more union suits in the first half of the 20^th century than in anywhere else in North America. In fact, Knoxville was known as "The Underwear Capital of the World."  If you wore underwear from the early to mid-1900's, your underwear was probably made in Knoxville.

Thanks to Joe of New York City for securing this photo for me.

On December 14th, I received this email from Billy of Knoxville, TN:

"Chris:  Even when I was a little boy, kids my age knew underwear of all types like my briefs and undershirts was made in Knoxville my hometown. Maybe my socks too, can't remember for sure. My grandpas and daddy wore union suits made here, uncles and older cousins too. Not year round but much of the year. 

I followed 'suit,' pardon the pun, when I was about twelve years of age. But now my union suits are made in far away places like Indonesia or Honduras. The last two I bought were Duofolds made in India. I often wonder what the men and women who live in warmer climates and make our union suits these days must think of our western long underwear... 'Crazy Americans!'   ...Billy"

Stripped to Strike!

And then, on June 4, 2018 in Union Suit Fans in the Limelight, an even older post, I featured striking workers in 1949 marching down Market Street in San Francisco in their union suits. The celebrated musician and funny man, Spike Jones, and his band, City Slickers, dressed in union suits and hats. The long-handled, one piece underwear wearing men, playing instruments and juggling, supported their local musicians' union:

Spike Jones and Friends, Union Suit Fans in the Limelight!

In June 1949, Spike Jones and his City Slickers, as his band was known along with some other buddies, marched in a parade right up Market Street in San Francisco all the way to the Curran Theater in their long underwear. They played musical instruments as they strutted around in public.

Along the way, they met up with
James C. Petrillo who at the time was
the Musician's Union president. 

Spike Jones, a great band director as well as a satirical funny man, thought it a great idea for him and his band to appear in their "Union Suits" in support of the musician's "Union." For some reason, Spike wore an Indian headdress as well as a cowboy gun and holster over his long underwear.

 All agreed, it was not a normal day in San Francisco when Spike Jones was around!

To see the video of Spike Jones' Petrillo Parade in 1949 San Francisco, highlight, copy and paste:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1w16PRMwFM

I wish to thank Stan the Man from Southern Arizona for introducing me to the Spike Jones parade. Stan is a movie fan so I have a feeling this blog will receive more posting suggestions from him in the coming months! Thanks, Stan!

NOTE:  If Stan the Man from Southern Arizona is still checking in with Union Suit Fan, I'd like to hear from you...Send me an email... Chris

Spike found a great deal of humor in one-piece long underwear. On another occasion he appeared with Marilyn Monroe and Ken Murray at the 8th annual Los Angeles Times Charity Football Game in 1952. This time Spike wore a red Union Suit while providing half-time entertainment to a large crowd. Proceeds from this charity event went to the Boys Club of Los Angeles.

A few years later Marilyn would attract John F. Kennedy, a suitor who favored Union Suits as well. (See my Union Suit Fan posting of May 26, 2016, "Presidential Underwear.")

Check out this YouTube Knoxville Local News10 video regarding the history of making men and boys' underwear. Forty-three million garments per year made Knoxville "The Underwear Capital of the World":

                           https://youtu.be/SC3CLnlh49M

 

So this Labor Day, Union Suit Fans, STRIKE a pose in your union suit underwear and email me a photo or two and help continue making the Union Suit Fan the number one union suit blog of the world!

Happy Labor Day, Union Suiters!

We're off to see the Wizard!                 

I'm sure all Union Suit Fan readers are quite familiar with the Great and Powerful Wizard of Oz. 

And I'm sure most readers know of the ever popular Wizard of Id. 

But who among you is aware of the lesser known, but equally gifted, Wizard of US? 

After learning that this very wizard resides practically in his own back yard, our Retro Jeff paid him a call, and the Great US graciously agreed to an exclusive interview for USF readers. Enjoy this inside look into the everyday life of a practicing wizard......                                                                      

----US: "Well,thank you Retro Jeff for this opportunity to gain some public exposure and recognition. Brother Oz has been a kind of “poster boy” for our Brotherhood of Wizards ever since that 1939 film he was in.  People need to be aware that there are many more, less flamboyant, work-a-day wizards right here among them.

----RJ:  “So tell me your, uh, wizardship, what is the role of a practicing wizard like in 2025?”           

----US:  “You know, Retro, most people think a wizard's life is all about casting spells, mixing  potions, or conferring, conversing, and otherwise hobnobbing with his brother wizards.  There's a lot more to it.

Sure, we can be called upon for the mundane task of locating a stolen dog,

misplaced slippers,

or, even on odd occasions, a missing farmhouse.

But a wizard today needs to stay up to date and follow current trends in order to keep his public satisfied. Now look at Brother Id. I probably shouldn't say this, but I do feel he's rather stuck in the past. Oh, no offense to you Retro.  But really!  Dragons? And Castles? And Moats?  Oh my!  I mean, when was the last time you saw a dragon?  And who lives in castles anymore?  But I have to say, it still seems to work for him. Hardly a day goes by that he doesn't make the newspapers.”  

----RJ:  “And what about your more famous brother wizard, the Great Oz?  Do you feel he is staying current?”  

----US:  “What can I say?  Oz is Oz.  I really think that Hollywood film years ago gave him a swelled  head. Ever since, he has been intimidating his clients with that excessive display of smoke and flames. I tend to find it rather off-putting but his public must, if not like it, at least endure it. He's still as popular as ever.  I haven't seen them, but I understand there were sequels to the original film. To be fair, I have to say, behind the smoke and flames facade, if you draw back the curtain, you will find Brother Oz to be a truly gifted, highly intelligent and courageous wizard with a  heart of gold.” 

----RJ:  “I understand that you have been gifted with some rather amazing conjuring powers of your own. Would it be possible to see a demonstration that I can photograph and share with the USF readers?”

----US:  “Oh, certainly Retro.  I'd be happy to do that. Let me just look through my requests here for a moment…….. Ah!  Here's one from a Morticia A .....

My!  I dare say that I've never been asked to locate a missing item quite like this before!  Well, it will be a challenge!  Let's have a go at it, Retro. Just keep your camera on the Crystal Ball!

----RJ:  “Wow!  That was impressive, your Wizardship. I'm sure Mrs. A will be thrilled to get that back!  It's such a handy Thing to have around the house.

Now,  tell me about the recent security breaches you've experienced.”       

----US: “Retro, it pains me to discuss this, but the public does not always abide by rules of proper conduct when allowed on to the premises.  At times they have invaded my very inner sanctum! Boy, can Brother Oz tell some stories about that!

When they occur, these breaches must be handled  directly, adroitly, and with as much dignity and aplomb as one can muster under the circumstances!"

"Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!"

"Nobody can see the Great US! 
Not nobody, not no how!"

----RJ:  “Ah, yes, I see.  A rather uncomfortable situation for all involved.”

----US:  “Yes Retro, it can be. Very much so....Well, I'm afraid I’m expecting a client in ten minutes. But in closing, I would like to share with the Union Suit Fan readers a valuable piece of advice that I learned the hard way, many years ago, in one of these very situations; KEEP THEM BUTTONED!”    

So ended our interview with those sage words of wisdom from the Wonderful Wizard of US. “Keep them buttoned!”  How profound! Certainly good advice for all Union Suit Fans to live by!

....Retro Jeff in Illinois                                              

The Wizard of US: a whiz of a wiz if ever a wiz there was!

Thank you Retro Jeff for that truly insightful and revealing look into the life of a modern day practicing wizard.  If nothing else, we gained an answer to that age old question: "What do wizards wear under their robes?".....Chris   

 The guest contributor of this exceptional interview is none other than Illinois' own Retro Jeff, 

a veritable Wizard of Union Suits, himself. 

Hmmmm... I wonder.....Nah, it couldn't be!

MORMON UNDERWEAR - Temple Undergarments

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

These college boys, known as elders, are pictured in their underwear, early one morning while on an important and selfless mission trip (date and photographer unknown). They pose here in union suits before getting dressed in white shirts, ties, black pants, shoes and socks for their busy day:  

Their union suits, having short-sleeves and short drawers in this instance, are more accurately and properly called Temple Garments, underwear worn by the faithful for the last couple of centuries. Devoted wearers include such luminaries as Mitt Romney and his boys, football great, Steve Young, and millions of others, well known and unknown.

Mormon Temple Garment, Circa 1904: 

Pictured here, Circa 1930-1940, a woman holds up her husband's garment which looks more like a modern day union suit than the one pictured above from a couple decades earlier. Notice the more prominent collar and what look to be insignias on the upper torso. Look closely. 

Otherwise, this Temple Garment looks like a regular union suit, many of us still wear a hundred years later:  

Modern Day Temple Garments for boys and men:

I encourage and would be pleased to hear from any of you who belong to the Morman Church, to shed further light on Temple Garments and your experience in wearing them.

Email your story to cayersnd@gmail.com

After my posting regarding Mormon Underwear, I receive the following email:

Hey Chris. How are you doing?  I just read the article on Mormon underwear.  I was a member of LDS back in the 1990's and early 2000's.  I remember my dad, a member of the Mormon church, used to wear the one-piece short-sleeves / drawers underwear with a back flap and a fly on the front.  I used to tease him when he worn his Mormon underwear since he was not a fan of the traditional union suit that we know and love.

  

I remember either back in 1993 or 94 when I was 16 years old, my dad and I went to the laundry mat to wash our clothes.  My dad started to separate the clothes, he pulled out my dirty union suit in front of people. I was embarrassed.  Especially, a few of them were my high school classmates. I wanted to get even with my dad. I pulled out his Mormon underwear and started to show everybody in the laundry mat. He got mad at me and told me that his underwear was sacred. We continued arguing about our underwear all day.

  
Anyways, I was fascinated with the Mormon underwear, how they design it without the button, has a flap in the back and fly in the front.  I never wore them, since I wasn't a fan of short-sleeves / drawers, but preferred the long-sleeves / drawers at the time.

 

...Lonestar Mike

It's August 5th: National Underwear Day!

Here's a few new and familiar faces, fans of Union Suit Fan, celebrating this special day decked out in their favorite underwear. 

Union Suits! 

 

 

Some guys have to work today while the rest of you relax, celebrate, and hang out in your union suits! 

A special thanks to you participants who especially braved the hot weather where you reside

 to happily don your long one piece underwear for National Underwear Day!

What troopers, you are!

Tomorrow is National Underwear Day: August 5th!

It's not to late to email me your favorite underwear photo. 

But, remember this reminder, Union Suit Fan needs you in a Union Suit; not a pair of red heart Boxer Shorts! 

No clowning around for tomorrow's posting! 

I have no dog in this fight but, come on, 

this is a Union Suit Blog (since 2016)! 

In the meantime:

Check out this week's Union Suit Fans in the Limelight blog to to find out why Bob Hope is running around the hallway in his his long-handled, monogramed union suit!