If you go back and look at the preceding composite photo, you'll see a specially designed pair of trunks for bodybuilders and showoffs of various types . . . if you get my drift. George Quaintance apparently had an entrepreneurial side, and teamed up with a company called Parr of Arizona to promote "Muscle Man Wear." I'd love to get my hands on one of their catalogs.
In the English-speaking world, the 1950s was a decade of increasing puritanical conformism which of course is why the 1960s happened as they did. Styles in male swim- and posing-wear were very conservative and deliberately designed for frontal modesty. The "male contour" was a no-no. As with most waves of morality, what was seen on the outside was not what was happening on the inside, and the 1950s saw a burgeoning mail order market for male underwear in increasingly risqué styles. Parr of Arizona was one of many companies helping to break this hypocrisy.
ReplyDeleteOne would naturally think underwear might be a place to sneak in some risque' items, seeing as how is is supposedly not on view. Of course, when the right circumstances arose, that flew out the window.
DeleteWhen I moved to Phoenix in 1967 Parr was still here. Parr was housed in a very stylish 50s style building on 16th street. I detected that there were women in the backroom busy at their sewing machines. They had a wide range of products in their display cases and a try-on cubicle. Just down the street was a vintage styled gym, Jerry Doyle's, where Mr. Arizona worked out. There was a shower-schack across the lawn in the backyard. Ah, those were the days! Vik
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing a very personal experience. It adds depth to what I do, and I really appreciate it.
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