Munsingwear, Inc. was a Minneapolis-based designer, importer, manufacturer, marketer, and licenser of branded apparel for men, boys, and women. The company was for many years famous for its union suits, an undergarment consisting of an undershirt and underdrawers combined in a single garment. The company was also said to be the originator of the classic golf shirt.
The company had its beginnings in Minneapolis in 1886 when George D. Munsing, Frank H. Page, and Edward O. Tuttle formed a partnership to manufacture knit underwear for both men and women. The firm was incorporated in 1887 as Northwestern Knitting Company. In 1919 its name was changed to Munsingwear Corporation and in 1923 it was constituted as Munsingwear, Inc. The company acquired Rollins Hosiery Mills, Inc. (Des Moines, Iowa)(1945); the Vassar Company (Chicago, Ill.) (1951); and the Hollywood Maxwell Company (California)(1958).
By 1986 Munsingwear, Inc. consisted of two divisions. The men's division used the Munsingwear name and included the Grand Slam, Slammer USA, Cotton Classics, and Kangaroo lines of sport shirts and underwear, and sleepwear, underwear, and "rugged" sportswear marketed under the revived Northwestern Knitting Company name. The women's or intimate apparel division was marketed under the Vassarette Label and included brassieres, girdles, garter belts, camisoles, petticoats, full slips, teddies, tap or French pants, panties, body briefers, robes, gowns, and pajamas.
Munsingwear was acquired in 1996 by Supreme International, a Miami, Florida-based supplier of men's and boys' casual apparel.
From the guide to the Corporate records., 1887-1995., (Minnesota Historical Society)
