The fabulous destiny of the Undershirt

Underwear in general has existed since antiquity, but Body Suits made of linen or cotton appeared in Europe during the Middle Ages, with the primary mission of protecting the skin from unpleasant friction caused by the inside of costumes. Men wore them with long pants, and women with petticoats. Also serving as thermal insulators and a bacterial barrier, they quickly gained popularity. Made of cotton, silk, flannel, wool..., the Long Sleeves Body Suit has evolved through the ages in various forms: shirt, full bodysuit, or charming footless overalls, Henley with a buttoned collar… Inseparable from the cowboy in the early morning, before he puts on his stetson and two colts at his belt, like Charles Bronson or Steve McQueen, from England and its rowing races, from the poilus to the canotiers… by the end of the 19th century, the Body Suit is a second skin that is never removed and even generously liberates women from their corsets. In 1904, in order to permanently attract single men, who are unfamiliar with thread and needle, the Henley abandoned its buttons to become the Body Suit we know today, which, close to the neck, is slipped on over the head.

With technological advances in the search for convenience, the Body Suit sometimes shortens its Long Sleeves or replaces them with Sleeveless. It continues to fulfill the functions of Underwear: keeping warm and preventing sweat marks on clothing. However, it was still unthinkable to wear it alone. In the 1920s, the US Navy integrated it into their soldiers' gear, who, pleased to no longer deal with wool Underwear, made it a classic part of their pack. The Body Suit has all the hallmarks of a great find: lightweight, easy to wash and wear. When American G.I.s take it abroad during World War II, Europe adopts it without hesitation. It becomes a symbol of military past, then of protest when worn alone and no longer as Underwear. Widely democratized in the 50s/60s by icons from all nations, the Body Suit with Long Sleeves or Short Sleeves soon embraces being worn without a Shirt, and willingly conveys political messages (Make love Not War) or belonging to a social, sports, cultural, or musical group. The era of tribes is born, and the Body Suit is proclaimed the official flag bearer. With it, one displays their identity, clan, preferences, and colors.

The Body Suit is an Underwear that the liberation of bodies, thoughts, and fashion has brought into the light. Its recent trajectory into the limelight makes it an essential piece of our wardrobe. Branded or plain, constantly reinventing its cuts and printing processes, with a round or V-neck, loose or fitted, for men and women, it is now a staple of every backpack, every journey, every day, every age, and every style. Without beating around the bush, the Body Suit has chosen its destiny: that of a timeless, functional, iconic, universal garment.