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:
I grew up on a diary farm my brothers and I all wore the classic 1970’s waffle weave long johns. They served as pajamas also. I now wear unions from November to April working construction, unions are better when wearing a tool belt all day. Artie up in Maine
ReplyDeleteArtie: You need to send Chris a picture to post of you in your union suit wearing that tool belt....he from time to time shows men in our favorite long underwear wearing tools of their trade....Ben, Portland, OR
DeleteSounds like a plan Ben
DeleteArtie..
That’s a fine looking union suit farmer Brian is wearing. The material appears to be of high quality as does the workmanship. The fit is snug but not tight with no puckering or pulling from the buttons. While we can’t see the ankles, the sleeve are long enough and snug enough to keep out drafts. If I knew the brand and they were still being sold I would support the company and buy one ……..Buckeye Mike
ReplyDeleteHey, Buckeye, it could be a vintage union suit to go with the vintage tractor. ----- Retro Jeff in Illinois
DeleteNice union suit. I need to buy some.
ReplyDeleteI started wearing union suits after seeing my grandpa who was a farmer wearing his....Max - Topeka
ReplyDeleteIt's about that time of year again. The nights have been cool in South Dakota of course have been stuck in newmexico with work and it's still hot.... Charles from Sd
ReplyDeleteCharles: you'll have to compare notes with Artie (see his comment above) who grew up with brothers on a farm in the northeast with them all wearing long underwear, not necessary union suits.
DeleteIf I recall, you grew up with five brothers... Chris
We never had union suits growing up, just the 2 peace thermal Hanes or fruit of the loom.
ReplyDeleteWinter time in SD On a dairy farm they were a must. Charles from SD
Same here Charles, we all had the white waffle weaves and grateful to be in them when the cold winds blew. Artie.
DeleteLast night I made it back to SD. Fall weather is setting in and I'm lounging in the carhartt union suit by the fire enjoy a cup of coffee
ReplyDeleteCharles SD
Sounds like a great way to have your morning coffe. I drink my morning brew next to the fireplace but previous owners of this house blocked it off and put in a gas insert. Even that gas insert had been removed but the fireplace still looks inviting ….Buckeye Mike
ReplyDeleteThe Farmer Brian countdown to union suit is only 40 days away. It was chilly here this morning, i probably will be in mine before Farmer Brian this season.
ReplyDeleteWhata part of the mid west are you from farmer Brian?
ReplyDeleteCharlie's from SouthDokota