1950s Men’s Underwear History

Men’s underwear in the 1950s changed little from styles in the 1940s.  Most men chose from 1.) knit or woven union suits, 2.) yoke top, snap front boxer shorts, 3.) elastic waist boxer shorts, or 4.) knit briefs.

Undershirts were as essential as ever to keeping clean and comfortable – and now they had short sleeves, resembling a T-shirt.

1958 Men’s Underwear Styles

Union Suits

Union suits were the primary form of men’s underwear since the Victorian age. In the 1950s, many men were still wearing them, especially in winter.

1957 Winter Union Suits

1950s union suits came in a “onesie” style, with short legs and a T-shirt top or the full leg and arm winter “Long John” style.  Tops and bottoms, called drawers, could also be purchased separately. They were made of combed cotton, wool, silk, or synthetic blends – mostly in white, cream, or tan.

1956 Short and Long Union Suit Separates

Boxer Shorts

Unlike today, the fit of 1950s boxers were high on the waist and wide in the leg. They also came down to mid thigh.  These fit well under wide leg trousers and shorts, until fashion slimmed down in the late 1950s.

Boxers, called shorts, were made in two styles: yoke and elastic waistband. The yoke front is nearly extinct today, but in the 1950s they made up about 40% of all underwear purchases. The yoke had 2-3 snap “Gripper” buttons and an open fly. The elastic waistband was covered and gathered – only years later did the exposed striped elastic band enter the market.

1950Wide Leg, High Waist Boxer shorts in Novelty Prints

In the mid 1950s, boxers were promoted as excellent gifts for the men in your life. Small prints, novelty themes, and the traditional stripes were made up in yoke top and elastic waist boxers. Classic patterns such as alternating stripes or checks were still popular too.

Fruit of the Loom 1950s Boxers with Elastic Waistband

1953 Yoke and Elastic Waist Boxers

1953 Yoke and Elastic Waist Boxers

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Briefs

Briefs, the 1950s version of “Tighty Whities,” were unchanged from previous decades. They featured ribbed cotton in a high waist, with an elastic band and Y-front pocket. Most briefs came up around the low hip/thigh while others were mid thigh drawers, like summer Union Suits.

1956 Men’s Briefs – Short and Long

1950s Jockey Ad

Undershirts

Unlike the 1930s and 1940s, the short sleeve undershirt was preferred over the tank top style. During WWII and the Korean War, men became accustomed to the short sleeve shirt issued by the military, continuing to wear them back at home.

1954 Men’s Undershirts

Both the round crew neck and short V-necks were made in flat, drop stitch, and fine rib knits. Tank top styles still featured the deep armscye and neckline.

The newest talk wasn’t design but fabric. Synthetics and blends were advertisers as “cooler,” “easy to wash and dry,” and able to “stay white longer.”  Synthetics cost more, while cotton remained the most affordable.

1959 Three Cuts of Undershirts

Men’s Vintage Style Underwear Brands

Look here for vintage and classic styles of men’s underwear and union suits

• Brooks Brothers – Classic boxers, French back boxers, undershirts, socks.
• Fogey Unlimited on Esty – Yoke front boxers.
• Sunspel – Some classic boxer shorts and undershirts.
• Uniqlo – Affordable essentials, classic cuts, made in Japan.
• Online Militaria – Has a WWII underwear set in khaki color.
• Brycelands – French boxers, button down undershirt, pajamas.
• Darcy Clothing – Historical reproduction undershirts, long johns, vests, singlet, cotton boxers.
• Gota Waesche (DE) – Cotton Henley shirts, underwear, boxers, knitwear.