Thursday, November 24, 2022

Happy Thanksgiving, Pilgrims!

This pair of boy’s long johns, sporting a neutral oatmeal color, is a great fit for a Shaker Peg Rack especially for the fall and winter months. This ribbed union suit is a cotton / wool blend has “mother of Pearl” buttons as well as attractive detailed stitching.

The brand name “Pilgrim” was used by Sears and Roebuck, Inc. to advertise and mark boys' clothing articles back in the day. It was first introduced in their 1905 Catalog for socks and underwear advertising. During the 1920's and 30’s, union suits became very popular especially in the winter months because central heating was uncommon. This union suit or “long john’s” made for boys was added to the Pilgrim line during this time-frame and the one-piece underwear had buttons all the way up the front and a one button rear flap. Other items under this name were also incorporated and included long and BVD style underwear, shirts, hats, pajamas, ties and socks. 


Boy's Vintage Union Suit




2 comments:

  1. Chris: my granddaddy grew up in Delaware in the 1920s and early 1930s and wore union suits. He swore that he as a boy would’ve frozen on many winter nights if it weren’t for that long underwear. He lived to be in his 90s and wore union suits his entire life.
    …. Rhode Island Randall

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    1. I'm thinking a bunch of us had granddaddys who grew up in warm one-piece long underwear before central heating. Imagine them running from the house to the outdoor privy in the middle of the night! ... Chris

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