May, the Month dedicated to Physical Fitness and Sports!

The 1920's and 30's saw droves of Union Suit and BVDs ads for men and boys in magazines and newspapers across America. They were the underwear of choice and about the only type available for the times. Of course, two piece long johns were worn too. But boxer shorts and briefs were not yet manufactured and sold. 

Then, like now, women typically bought underwear for the entire family. Men and boys simply wore what their wives and mom's chose for them. Kind of like now days.

However, manufacturer's of union suits and BVD* underwear, wanted a way to reach men. So, a competitive campaign of sorts commenced and gripped the nation like tight underwear. Union suits and BVD's had to reflect masculinity, comfort and durability. What better way to exemplify this than to create and run ads featuring men and boys sporting their superior underwear. And, the guys would need to be shown playing all manner of sports while wearing their athletic underwear! I have posted a number of these special ads over the years. Here are some more:

*BVD's stands for Bradley, Voorhees and Day, the names of the founders who manufactured the one piece, short sleeved, short legged athletic underwear. Other manufacturer's made and sold this style of underwear for both men and boys, but it was the BVD brand that everyone knew of and referred to.

Today, May 3rd, is National Fitness Day

As a matter of fact, it's National Fitness and Sports Month! So pick up some weights and get to moving that body, Union Suit Fans! 

Join Illinois' Retro Jeff and others on your favorite blog every couple of days for a longgggg johnnnn look at sport fans, more fitness techniques and some great "Retro" underwear ads of athletes from yesteryear.

April 30th is National Tie-Dye Day Across America!  

Union Suit Fans enjoy wearing their colorful Union Suits today!

 Did you know Tie-Dyed Union Suits have their own names?

I didn't either!  

This past year, my niece declared she was going to tie-dye union suits for me and her dad. 

He wears only long two-piece thermal underwear, not union suits. 

So, I told her I'd be surprised if she got him into a union suit. 

But, if anyone could, she could! 

As for me, she knows I wear union suits exclusively. 

But, still, it would be quite the feat if she could get me to wear one.

If she gets them tied and dyed, she'll want a photo of her dad and me. 

So, I'll be sure to post that one for the books 

as I'll know you'll all be holding your breath to see that!

More Dyed in the Wool, Die-Hard, Tie-Dyed Fans in their Union Suits:

                              

Thanks and a big shout out to Retro Jeff searching for and finding Union Suit Fans from all over the U.S.of A. touting their favorite attire in celebrating this special day!  Have a ball wearing your union suits today even if plain.

Happy Tie Dyed Day!

Enjoying the great outdoors!

Can you guess where in the world this Union Suit Fan is standing in his Union Suit, taking in the view?

 

If you said Hawai'i, you'd be correct. There's no snow or blustery weather here! But which of the 137 recoginized Hawaiian Islands, Atolls and Islets is this photo taken? That is a lot harder to discern.

It's acutally the island of Lana'i. Admittedly, few in this part of the world wear long underwear, I'm guessing. But as far as I know, there has been no specific research as to the number of wearers of this apparel. 

If you visit, keep your flap trap shut!  Mahalo!

Still Waiting for Spring Way Up in the North Country!

In the meantime our whole family wears long, red flannel underwear up here!!  So, don't feel sorry for us, Union Suit Fans! We're warm as toast!! 

Note:  Shutting her down for a couple of weeks....

See you Union Suit Fans towards the end of April....Chris 

Spring Comes Later 

in the South Dakota Badlands. Just ask Charles who'll hang on to his union suit awhile longer. 

  

Ahhh, a warm wood fire, nothing like it! Well, maybe it can be beat by...

  

a nice warm, red union suit!!  

Now, to kick back and relax with late night TV. 

And when morning rolls around, it's time to haul indoors more firewood as another cold night is in store!  

 

Thanks Charles, Ecdysis Union Suit Fan

Sprung Out This Spring!

Soon, he won't need all his heavy layers!

 

Not just yet, but by Memorial Day in Ohio, his ecdysis* will have him down to his summer underwear: boxer shorts and athletic undershirt!

* Ecdysis comes from the Greek word ekdusis, which means “put off.” It describes the process by which arthropods and insects shed their outer cuticle (exoskeleton), or how reptiles shed their old skin. The term for the cuticle or skin that is lost is exuviae.