Thermal Underwear Has Become Haute Couture
If you have ever lived in a colder climate, you are probably familiar with thermal underwear, also known as long underwear or “long johns”. In the late 1700’s, an inventor and physicist named Benjamin Thompson discovered that when cotton, silk or wool was layered, it formed an insulating thermal barrier. Thermal underwear became essential gear for soldiers, hunters and pioneers who needed to withstand cold temperatures for extended periods of time.
Early thermal underwear consisted of a one-piece garment that covered the entire body, leaving only the hands and head exposed. An opening in the front and a buttoned flap in the rear enabled wearers to relieve themselves conveniently. Needless to say, this thermal underwear was not very attractive, nor was it very comfortable. Made from wool, it became extremely itchy and unpleasant when wet.
In 1915, Frank Stanfield patented two-piece thermal underwear that allowed for greater flexibility and comfort. People wore either cotton or wool thermal underwear, depending on the severity of the weather. As textile technology advanced and improved, waffle weave fabrics made with polyester cotton blends made thermal underwear lighter and easier to wear while retaining the same level of protection and warmth.
Originally made and marketed to men, thermal underwear became popular with women during World War II when they began wearing pants to work in factories. Women also became interested in skiing as a sport around this time, which only served to further increase the demand for thermal underwear. As a result, thermal underwear gradually became available in a wider selection of fabrics, styles and colors. Silk thermal underwear became more popular as it was softer and less bulky under the increasingly revealing women’s clothing styles.
Thermal underwear “came out” and became fashionable as outerwear in the grunge era of the 1990’s. Today thermal underwear has become a fashion statement and a style category in itself. Exclusive clothing designers such as Calvin Klein, DKNY, Ralph Lauren and Vera Wang regularly feature thermal underwear in their trendy product lines.
We all need underwear and there are loads of options for both men and women.
The real advantage to thermals are they can keep you warm and can be made from a range of materials these days.
If you don't fancy thermals for underwear then consider normal sexy knickers these are always worth looking at.
