Dagwood Bumstead, Union Suit Fan since 1930.

        by Guest Contributor, Clay Brumbaugh

As seen in Chris' recent posting of July 20, 2022, Dagwood prefers a variety of printed boxer shorts as his choice in underwear and is often seen wearing them in the Blondie comic strips for the past 92 years. But did you know he also wore Union Suit winter underwear? Yep, it's true. Here he is shown in a picture back in the day when most men wore union suits. He was no exception. Dagwood stands in a red union suit apparently deciding which suit to wear to work that day. It appears this was a rendering taken from a paper doll booklet of Blondie's husband.

And years later to keep him warm, Blondie takes Dagwood shopping for more winter underwear. Below is a more updated version of the couple on a comic book cover. She chooses a bright red union suit for him. Other store customers laugh from seeing Blondie, in the men's underwear department, holding up a suit of long underwear to help determine whether the chosen union suit will fit her husband. Dagwood is seen blushing as underwear, especially the long red flannel version, was a rather private piece of clothing back then: 

Thoughtful Blondie also takes care of the family dogs too. In this cover, she provides the canines with button-down union suits and scarves too:

In the early years Dagwood and Blondie had several children, a girl and three boys. All the men in the family wore boxer shorts as shown in these frames from an early comic strip: 

Blondie was created by Chic Young, who started his popular strip on September 8, 1930. The King Features Syndicate comic is published today in over 2,000 newspapers. It is reported that newspapers in 38 languages in about 50 countries carry the comic.  

Chris, here is a trivia note: Comic strips today still tout Dagwood from time to time wearing his printed, polka-dotted or striped boxer shorts. But now days, unlike the 1930's and 40's, he no longer wears garters to hold up his socks!

Your Union Suit Fan / Buddy, Clay Brumbaugh (Saranac, NY)

Many thanks, Clay! I did not know Dagwood wore union suits. Appreciation sent your way for the comedic education, my friend.

Union Suit Fans: if you have an interesting take regarding union suits, email me your article and / or pictures for consideration in adding to my blogs. Union Suit Fan and Union Suit Fans in the Limelight are much more fun, interesting and entertaining with you input. 

From 1933