Anticipating Christmas 

"Chris:  I've worn union suits since I was a little boy. All my life actually. I don't ever even remember wearing standard pj's. To this day, I've always slept in just my underwear. Growing up in rural Wyoming, underwear is what me and my dad and most boys and men wore and continue to wear to bed since forever. 

Anyway, I very recently ran across a video taken by my dad years ago using his now ancient movie camera. He caught me initially unable to sleep on Christmas Eve. Here I am wearing a union suit as pajamas, sitting up in bed, and anxiously listening for a visit from Santa Claus. I thought I'd share with you these special pictures (to me anyway) which I was able to save as separate photos from my dad's film.

...Merry Christmas, Ian Sanderson of Cody, Wyoming." 

                               

"Hearing a noise outside and with heart pumping, I jumped out of bed, threw off my blankets, and ran to my bedroom window:

 

"And looking outside, I listened for sleigh bells and Santa's approach to my house! 

Yep, that's me as a boy in my long union suit underwear! 

"Seeing nothing, I returned to my covers, finally falling asleep,

 "nestled all snug in my bed while visions of sugar plums danced in my head."

 

"Good night and Merry Christmas!"

Ian sent his heart-warming memory, captured on camera, to me in an email this week. With the approach of Christmas, I thought it appropriately worthy to share with you that which for many of us, is a most meaningful holiday, celebrating the birth of our saviour, Jesus.  

Friends, I'm taking a couple of weeks away. In the meantime, email me your Christmas photos and I'll see you right back here at the end of December.

"God Bless Us All, Everyone! ...Chris Ayers

Royal Underwear 

Have you ever wondered what kings, emperors and princes wear under their regal robes? Not likely, huh? Well, that's one of my jobs here at Union Suit Fan. Taking a serious look at that which others, including monarchs, wear under their clothes. 

I'm in the process of researching this question, as in my past postings of Presidential Underwear: Kennedy, Lincoln and sons, Coolidge, Harding, and Teddy Roosevelt and sons. Look for my upcoming under cover findings regarding the underwear worn by such royalty as Charles, King of England; Prince of Wales' William; Willem-Alexander, King of the Netherlands; and Felipe, King of Spain.

During my past various visits to the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Germany, I knew to travel, packing and utilizing at the miniumum, my "combinations" (union suits), wool socks, a rain coat and umbrella. Even traveling in the summer time to these countries the weather much of the time was cool if not right down cold, blustery, cloudy and rainy. I suspect the Royals, living in these conditions wear long underwear like I did on my visits there. Although, I witnessed no snow as I do frequently here in northern Idaho, I was always fortunate in remembering to bring along my union suits on those trips to Europe. 

Coming soon then, a discourse on Royal Underwear to be found on my companion blog, Union Suit Fans in the Limelight.

So far, I've only found likenesses of King Charles and the Prince of Wales in their boxer shorts. But, surely long-handled combinations are worn by them some of the year!

(Above, Walt Disney's Prince John of England having been stripped of his gold, rings and even his royal robe, leaving him with little else besides his crown and long royal combination underwear.)