RC Strips to his Lucky Underwear for a Nebraska Cornhuskers Victory! 

This past Saturday even RC's "lucky" red long johns couldn't help the Big Red football team of Nebraska defeat the powerful Michigan Wolverines. Even with Michigan's head coach suspended for the game. RC, who had by the second quarter was wearing nothing but his union suit and socks, still couldn't get the Cornhuskers over the top. Not only did his favorite team fail, so did his his lucky underwear. 

Watching on TV minutes into the first quarter, RC winced as Nebraska sputtered to deliver on a "red zone" 4th and two, and so turned the ball over to Michigan. Getting the ball back with no score by either team, the Cornhusker's then missed a relatively easy field goal, allowing Michigan to quickly flee down the field twice, to score ten unanswered points themselves! The wind was blown from RC's sails at that point. 

He admitted that he was fully clothed in the first quarter of this game. RC was having lunch with his ten year old and not wearing his lucky red long underwear. After Nebraska failed to score and Michigan went up 10-0, he decided to get in to his union suit!

When the boy asked him, "How come you put on your long underwear, Papa?"  RC admitted to telling him: "Cuz I'm cold!"

After donning that underwear, Nebraska played much better in the second quarter. In fact, they tied Michigan with only one second left in the half with a successful, perhaps lucky, "Hail Mary" pass to the end zone! 

Would RC's lucky underwear hold up for the entire game? Would his players continue to play up to their potential?

In his exuberance, RC  poured himself a glass of beer. 

Why not, Nebraska was on to a probable victory over Michigan!

 

RC's celebration of a Cornhusker win was premature. In the end, the Wolverines defeated the hapless Cornhuskers who had seemed to search for a way to lose this important game between these two historic powerhouses. The players may have just as well been playing in their underwear for all the final score revealed. 

RC who swears by his red union suit, the one-piece variety, is typically lucky for him and those he roots for. But he and his favorite team were both stripped of a win this day. The Wolverines defeated the Cornhuskers 30-27, the final in front of 87,278 fans at Memorial Stadium and at least one fan in a suit of long red underwear watching at home on TV. 

The previous Saturday, as posted last week here in Union Suit Fan, found RC joining Georgia's Stanley Steamer as both football fans watched the game in their lucky red union suits, well suited for a win by the Bulldogs. Their underwear worked well then as Georgia beat Tennessee in overtime. This past Saturday, Georgia had a bye week and Nebraska said goodbye to a possible conference championship. 

Will RC say goodbye to his lucky union suit underwear? Probably not, but time will tell. Would the Cornhuskers have won if he'd worn his lucky red union suit beginning in the first quarter? Possibly, but we'll never know.

Here's to RC and his favorite team, hoping for a brighter tomorrow and a union suit that is truly lucky.

Buttoned Up for Another Football Season!

College Football is in full swing and who better to help us kick off the season in Union Suit Fan than our ole buddies, Stanley Steamer (Georgia Fan) and RC (Nebraska Fan).   

You remember these union suited sport fans from numerous past postings. Last week, the boys again pulled on their lucky red union suits to pull for their favorite teams. 

And a good thing too as the Georgia / Tennessee football game came down to the final moments in overtime on CBS. The Bull Dogs, known to their many fans as "The Dawgs," in the end, overcame the Volunteers! 

And, the Cornhuskers handily beat Houston. The Nebraska game wasn't televised. So RC couldn't watch his team. Instead he joined best buddy, Stan, to cheer the Dawgs to victory!

You can rightfully call these fellas superstitious because they are absolutely convinced that donning red long johns on game days ensure a successful outcome. Some of you wear lucky jerseys or hats or maybe you don't change your socks as long as your team keeps winning. But Stanley and RC are convinced that it's their long red underwear that puts their teams over the top.  And, I can't disagree.

Their union suit attire surely had to be at least partially responsible for their team wins last Saturday. The final scores prove it:

Georgia (3-0)  44  Tennessee (2-1)  41 in Overtime

Nebraska (3-0)   59     Houston (1-2)  7

Nebraska (3-0) plays Michigan (2-1) this Saturday, Yikes! RC better double up on his luck by wearing two red union suits for his Big Red team to win!  And you can bet Steamer will be wearing his red long underwear, the ones with the buttoned escape hatch in the rear, when Georgia (3-0) plays Alabama on September 27th.  

Thanks for the photos, fellas, good luck this season. Keep 'em buttoned....Chris 

Farmers are Union Suit Fans 

My two granddads and my two great granddads and, I suppose, their dads, midwest farmers all, wore union suits while they farmed, six days a week, and wore them to church on Sundays. A couple of them wore their union suits seven days a week, year round.  It's been a farmer thing for a century and a half to wear warm, comfortable one-piece, long underwear.  My dad and uncles, as boys, grew up on farms and, you guessed it, wore union suits. 

From them, I've come to love union suits, happily having worn them as long as I can remember. And, I'm not even a farmer. But, farming runs deep in my blood as does my inclination to wear their style of long johns!

Clem recently sent along a photo and story of a modern day farmer who, like my ancestors and me, chooses to wear union suits. Sometimes, apparently, that is all he wears as he, well, farms....

The caption reads:  

Farmer Brian sometimes works in the field wearing just his union suit or long johns. He was brought up to wear long underwear from November 1st to May 1st. He adjusts his outer wear to fit the actual temperature. That's thinking outside the box.

Over the years, several of you union suit fans have sent me your union suit wearing stories and photos, having grown up on farms, which I have posted in this blog. 

All the best unionsuiters, Chris

And speaking of farmers, be sure to check this blog in a week or two for... 

        The Magical, Mystical, Mischievious Scarecrow!

It might just blow the pants right off you!

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