Long Johns

Long Johns are probably one of the most practical and comfiest ‘keep me warm’ garments ever. Unfortunately they are not the most attractive, which is probably why people choose to wear them under their pants; along with the fact that they are considered underwear. Long Johns or Long underwear are part of a two piece set of underwear that have long sleeves for the top half and long legs for the bottom half. They blossomed in popularity as wearers were given the option to wear the thermal underwear as a set or just a singular bottom/top...how excited they must have been.

They can be made using a variety of materials, which varies depending on which side of the world you are on. The people of the USA tend to use cotton or a cotton polyester blend, but those on European shores will use wool blends or sometimes 100% wool; we are just so fancy like. The use of wool however is not only due to our never ending fields of sheep in the UK. Wool is fire retardant, (you know in case you get to close to the fire even though your Mums told you a million times to stay away.  It also provides highly effective insulation even when wet, which is perfect for you outdoorsy type/ those who like to bore themselves to death by going night fishing.

Also, it seems the tighter the long johns are the more likely they are to hold in a man’s unwanted physique. So if your partner is moaning you to lose weight for Christmas, you can fool them by whacking a pair of johns on under your jeans. And when bed time comes, request a turning off of the lights before you strip; sometimes women just appreciate that anyway.

The men of the world need to be assured not to be afraid to wear these ‘men’s tights’ on a daily basis. You see boys; they originated in a very masculine way. Boxer John .L. Sullivan was known for his hard hitting punching and quick movements in the boxing ring in 1891 but he was also known for the ensemble he would wear to fight these beastly matches. Mr Sullivan would enter the ring in nothing but a long pair of underwear referred to as a union suit. Wither he won matches because contenders were too scared to get near his underwear or not, he became and success and so did the long johns.



Boxer John .L. Sullivan

And thermal underwear hasn’t been left out in the cold for our ancestors to knit, catwalks of 2010 have seen Dolce and Gabbana and Vuitton sporting the thermals.

Dolce & Gabbana's take on Long Johns 2010

So go forth men and wear your long johns proud, but a personal request...if you’re going to wear just johns without any extra layers, please do it in the comfort of your own home. Thank you.

Get yourself a pair...or prepare to freeze to death  http://www.thermalsdirect.co.uk/