Union Suit Men

A union suit is a type of one-piece long underwear. Created in Utica, New York, United States, it originated as women's wear during the nineteenth-century United States clothing reform efforts, as an alternative to constricting garments, and soon gained popularity among men as well. The first union suit was patented in 1868 as "emancipation union under flannel." Traditionally made of red flannel with long arms and long legs, it buttoned up the front and had a button-up flap in the rear covering the buttocks (colloquially known as the "access hatch", "drop seat", "fireman's flap", and other names), allowing the wearer to eliminate bodily waste without removing the garment. Depending on the size, some union suits can have a dozen buttons on the front to be fastened through buttonholes from the neck down to the groin area.

The garment remained in common use in North America into the twentieth century. As its popularity waned, it became chiefly working men's wear, increasingly replaced by two-piece long underwear, also known as "long johns". It was not uncommon until the mid-1900s for rural men to wear the same union suit continuously all week, or even all winter. Normally, no other type of underwear was worn with it.

Union suits are still commercially available, but because of their association with "old fashioned" usage, and presumedly "unsophisticated" rural wearers, they are considered comical. The rear flap is also associated with humor, and in film and television the appearance of a union suit, viewed from behind, is a form of mild toilet humor. The 1999 movie adaptation of The Wild Wild West , the TV series Rugrats , and the Family Guy episode "No Meals on Wheels" are among those that used the rear flap on union suits for comical effects.

The Union Suit makes an appearance in Louisa May Alcott's book Eight Cousins , as a preferred alternative to corsetry under the name 'Liberty Suit'. The Union Suit also makes a presence in the 2003 film Cold Mountain . In the American band Panic at the Disco's 2008 music video for "Nine in the Afternoon", a parade scene features the band members in union suits.

See also

• Victorian dress reform

Notes

1. ^ "Reforming Fashion, 1850–1914". the Historic Costume Collection . Ohio State University . http://costume.osu.edu/Reforming_Fashion/reform_underwear.htm . Retrieved 2006-10-21 .  

External links

• Mens, Kids & Ladies Union Suits
• A Duofold 2-Layer Union Suit (For Men) Another nice image of the Union Suit!
• "What's The Flap About Union Suits?" from ebay
• All Hail the Union Suit - Article from Vintage Skivvies

Union suit - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It was not uncommon until the mid-1900s for rural men to wear the same union suit continuously all week, or even all winter. [citation needed] Normally, no other type of underwear ...

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Thickskin Union Suit | Immersion Research 2009

Men’s Shorts and Apparel; Women’s Shorts and Apparel; Accessories; Custom-made Dry Decks ... A union suit is an unique one-piece cold weather base layer. Made with soft, plush 29 ...

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Cream Horse Flannel Union Suit for Men - Drop Seat Pajamas

Cream Horse Flannel Union Suit for Men • One-piece union suit • Buttons up the front • Split seat • 100% cotton flannel

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Green Horse Flannel Union Suit for Men - Drop Seat Pajamas

Green Horse Flannel Union Suit for Men • One-piece union suit • Buttons up the front • Split seat • 100% cotton flannel

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union suit - Definition of union suit at YourDictionary.com

a suit of men's or boys' underwear uniting shirt and drawers in a single garment

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Amazon.com: Union Suit Red: Clothing

Cream and Black Striped Thermal Union Suit for Men ... the weather outside is frightful. Order ONLINE for this bargain right now! Union Suit ...

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Union Suit Men's Winter Weight Polypropylene-3XL

Union Suit Mens Winter Weight Union Suit (Polypropylene/Wicking) Size 3XL This Union Suit is made from 100% winter weight POLYPROPYLENE interlock knit with 1×1 rib knit cuffs.

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Amazon.com: Men's Union Suit by Duofold Originals: Clothing

Soft 6.3-oz. fabric has two non-bulky layers. Flat-lock seams won't chafe or dig; Tag-free neck won't itch or scratch. Body-sized fit helps ensure custom comfort.

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Duofold 2-Layer Union Suit (For Men) - Save 61%

Duofold 2-Layer Union Suit (For Men) at Sierra Trading Post, view all of our products at low online prices.

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Union Suit Men's Winter Weight Polypropylene-2XL

Union Suit Mens Winter Weight Union Suit (Polypropylene/Wicking) Size 2XL This Union Suit is made from 100% winter weight POLYPROPYLENE interlock knit with 1×1 rib knit cuffs.

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