Peter's Edwardian Underwear + New Pattern!

I won this authentic "Edwardian" -- could also be 1920's -- union suit on eBay, new old stock (i.e, unworn).

My intention is to copy and whip up some of my own, not really to wear the original, but I couldn't resist trying it on.



It has one of those buttoned-backsides one usually associates with toddler togs.



I would call this fabric cotton gauze.  It's extremely lightweight and, because of its age, rather fragile.  I'd love to find something similar.  I think a union suit like this one would have been intended for summer wear.





A few more details:

This is an inside view of the knit waistband.





Button placket facing (in a sturdier cotton):



Button:





 

In other news, I swung by Mood briefly today and discovered two additional colorways of the paisley I used for my mint and pale gray shirt.  I think I still like mine best; it's more subdued.







And I have a new pattern: McCall's 5267, a unisex shawl-collared sweater pattern from the 70's!  I think I'll make it up for the spring in terrycloth, if I can find any I like.   To me it doesn't look dated at all.



And that's it.  I'm almost done with my paisley shirt and I hope to be able to show it to you next week.

Any fans of one-piece Edwardian men's underwear out there?  Why were these considered preferable to a separate shirt and shorts?

Have a great day, everybody!