Gone Camping in the Canadian Rockies with the Guys
See you in a couple of weeks for more fun presented in Union Suit Fan as union suit season really cranks up for us!
Since May, 2016, an entertaining blog featuring men's and boys' long one-piece underwear aka union suits. Considered old-fashion by some but known to be warm, comfortable, and fun to wear by those of us who swear by 'em! ... Check out my companion blog, UNION SUIT FANS IN THE LIMELIGHT, by simply going to the Red Dancing Long Johns below and click or tap on "Union Suit Fan." At the top of the next page under "My Blogs," click or tap on "Union Suit Fans in the Limelight."
Gone Camping in the Canadian Rockies with the Guys
Just for Laughs!
The President Overseeing His White House Grounds Crew:
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Well done boys! |
This and That.
I've heard from a number of Union Suit Fans these past couple of weeks as they head into Union Suit Season! The following contribution is from A.I. genius, Retro Jeff of Illinois. (Be sure to watch for more Artificial Intelligence creations coming in October and beyond!):
Nothing like a fast start with a close finish to get Union Suit Season underway |
Jerome of France has let me know he moved his dripping wet, just-washed union suits from outside to his basement's laundry room:
'Tis cool enough now in Ohio that Buckeye Mike is back to wearing his long one-piece wonders more often. He still chooses either short sleeved or long sleeved union suits depending upon the forecasted daily temperature:
September Is Winding Down
.....here's a follow up to my Happy Labor Day America! posting of this past September 7th:
After that recent Labor Day posting, I received this posting comment from Paul:
Chris: this photo of you in your union suit, the labor buttons and the packaged Healthknit "union made" union suit reminded me of a posting you did a couple years back about guys picketing a garment maker's building with signs and wearing just their union suits. It was a classic! You should re-post that one as a reminder of hard-working laborers who use to make our underwear. I know that industry went over seas long ago as my union suits are now made on the other side of the world and shipped to me to wear here in the U.S.
Back in the day, I had a red Healthknit union suit when I was a boy. My little brother got that one and a couple of others as hand-me-downs. We both to this day are still union suit fans and both love your blogs .....Paul, Williamsburg VA
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.”
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"
*Joe: I haven't heard from you in awhile....drop me an email and tell me how you're doing!
Droopy Stanfield's
Union Suit Fans: I received this email from Bryce who hails from Kalamazoo, Michigan this past week after he saw my posting on August 20th of Maine's favorite union suit wearer, Artie....
Chris, I had to laught out loud at your recent post of Artie up in Maine and the droopy drawers he had ordered, received from Stanfield's Underwear Company and who sent you photos of him in his new long baggy underwear! I'm a long time "combinations" wearer, since boyhood. Not long ago I ordered a union suit from Stanfield's too. It arrived when I was at work. Returning home that day, my wife greeted me at the front door wearing my new long red underwear!! Seeing her, I died laughing.
She is somewhat tall and thin. The size I ordered was huge and baggy on her, really swallowing her up! I couldn't resist taking photos of her in my combinations to send to you. When I told her I was going to do so in order for Artie to see that others of us had droopy drawers too, she through a gigantic fit. My wife finally agreed when I told her I would crop out her face and send her in that generously ample union suit. I know you don't normally post guys in their underwear without a head shot. But, I'm hoping you'll make an exception in this instance.
By the way, that union suit was way large and loose on me too. But my wife washed it over and over until they fit me well. So, I think Artie and I both will be happy with our new Stanfield's Underwear.... Bryce
Happy Labor Day America!
Today is a time to celebrate the strength, achievements, ingenuity, and contributions of those who strive to better themselves, their families and this nation: workers of every stripe and economic background.So join me in pausing to celebrate and show an appreciation for the hard work of all of us, you and me, and those who came before us. To those who helped build the infrastructure, the communities and the economy of this great nation for the betterment of all, beginning from the industrial revolution in the late 1800's to this very day.
The first recognition of laborers was with a parade of 10,000 participants marching through the heart of New York City on September 5, 1882. The official holiday was signed into law by President Grover Cleveland on June 28, 1894. Given those years, I'm thinking the 10,000 as well as the president were wearing union suits, nearly identical to the ones we still enjoy 140+ years later. They were the first to witness, wear and enjoy this new fangled long underwear: Utica, New York's 1868 "Emancipation Union Under Red Flannel!"
Since today marks the unofficial end of summer, I too have donned a union suit. I am a Labor Day to Memorial Day union suit fan. How about you?
See How His Garden Grows
A cup of morning coffee is the ticket.
Then, it's off to check the progress on his award-winning garden.....
Ole "Green Thumb" Buckeye is an expert
on knowing just how to plant, tend and harvest his Ohio plot of veggies:
Salutations depuis la France.
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Jérôme in his Longue Caleçon |
"That day, I took advantage of my wife being away to get dressed and go out like that; she doesn't understand why I’d wear long underwear in warm weather—plus, that purple union suit is a bit too thick for the heat. It was 28°C (82°F) that day; I do sometimes wear them in temperatures up to 30–32°C (86–90°F), but lighter ones. Jérôme"
Thanks Jérôme Union Suit fraternity!
Wash day: