An Evolution of Men's undergarments

[Dinerman]

Union Suits. Even around the turn of the century, ads talk about how old fashioned red flannel, drop seat models are.

Makers came up with all kinds of variations to minimize buttons and potential gaps.


Two-piece versions were also made. They were also knit like the long versions


Summer versions were made from lighter weight fabric in shorter lengths.
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Short, one piece union suits were known as "athletic union suits". Versions of these remained in production until at least the 1960s.




The big issue with any of these one-piece suits was how they opened. Some manufacturers came up with creative solutions. One briefly popular option combined a standard men's shirt with shorts, with the tails forming them.

 

[Dinerman]

Boxers were an option going back to at least the first decade of the 20th century. Early ones were knee length. The undershirts which accompanied them were equally as long as the shirts of the period.




Briefs came on the scene in 1934. Early on, they had undershirts that went with them made to follow the contours of the high cut legs.






Moving into the 1930s and 1940s, boxers got shorter. Manufacturers played with different waist setups, from tie-sides to elastic, buttons to snaps.


The knit shorts of earlier decades hung around as well, and were available in different lengths, although they were generally shorter than earlier ones.


The transition between the old fashioned union suit varieties to the more modern boxers and briefs bred a few failed experiments which attempted to combine them.

 

[DAJE]

Fascinating stuff, thanks for putting that together for us.

 

[edchat]

Thank the Lord for modern undies!! Very entertaining post though