An infant bodysuit or onesie (American English) is a garment designed to be worn by babies much like a
T-shirt
A T-shirt (also spelled tee shirt, or tee for short) is a style of fabric shirt named after the T shape of its body and sleeves. Traditionally, it has short sleeves and a round neckline, known as a '' crew neck'', which lacks a collar. T-shir ...
; they are distinguished from T-shirts by an extension below the waist, with
snaps
In the Nordic countries, especially Denmark and Sweden, but not in Iceland, snaps ( , ), among many nicknames, is a small shot of a strong alcoholic beverage taken during the course of a meal.
In Denmark, a snaps will always be akvavit, althou ...
that allow it to be closed over the
crotch
In humans, the crotch is the bottom of the pelvis (the region of the body where the legs join the torso) and is the part of the body that includes the groin and genitals.
Etymology
''Crotch'' is derived from ''crutch''; it was first used in 1 ...
. The purpose of the opening at the crotch is to facilitate access to the infant's
diaper
A diaper (, North American English) or a nappy (British English, Australian English, Hiberno-English) is a type of underwear that allows the wearer to urinate or defecate without using a toilet, by absorbing or containing waste products to p ...
as well as preventing the garment from riding up the infant's body and exposing skin. Like T-shirts, infant bodysuits come in a wide variety of designs and may be worn as undergarments or as outer shirts.
Synonyms
Other names of this outfit include ''onesies'' (a
registered trademark
A trademark (also written trade mark or trade-mark) is a form of intellectual property that consists of a word, phrase, symbol, design, or a combination that identifies a product or service from a particular source and distinguishes it from ot ...
often used in the
United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
as if it were
generic), ''creepers'', ''diaper shirts'', or ''snapsuits''. If the bodysuit is sleeveless, it may also be referred to as a ''vest'' (British English only).
Types and design
An infant bodysuit may be sleeveless, have long sleeves, or have short sleeves. A common feature of the bodysuit is the lap neck (figures 1 and 2). This design makes it easier to get the head through the neck of the bodysuit, as babies have large heads proportional to their bodies, and additionally have poor head control, making traditional neck openings less suitable.
Bodysuits without the lap neck may have snaps at the neck instead (figure 3).
File:Romper.tif, Figure 1. Sleeveless bodysuit with lap neck.
File:Onesie.png, Figure 2. Short sleeve bodysuit with lap neck
File:Dfsd.jpg, Figure 3. Long sleeve bodysuit with snap neck.
Popularity
Infant bodysuits have gained significant popularity over the years and have become iconic in baby fashion. Their practicality, comfort, and versatility have made them a staple in many households worldwide. The convenience of the snap fasteners and the ease of dressing and changing diapers have contributed to their widespread use.
Infant bodysuits have also found their way into popular culture. They are often featured in movies, television shows, and advertisements, and have become a popular choice for personalized baby gifts.
Social media platforms have played a role in popularizing infant bodysuits. Parents frequently share cute and funny photos of their babies wearing personalized or unique bodysuits, contributing to the trend's visibility and popularity.
The term "
onesie" has become widely recognized and is often used colloquially to refer to any type of infant bodysuit, regardless of the brand. It has also inspired the creation of adult-sized versions, known as adult onesies or jumpsuits, which have gained popularity as loungewear or costumes for events like themed parties or Halloween.
See also
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Babygrow
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Bodysuit
A bodysuit is a one-piece form-fitting garment, form-fitting or skin-tight garment that covers the torso and the crotch. The design of a basic bodysuit is similar to a one-piece swimsuit and a leotard, though the materials may vary. Thong or T ...
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Infant clothing
*
One-piece (disambiguation)
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Romper suit
A romper suit, usually shortened to romper, is a one-piece or two-piece combination of shorts and a shirt. It is also known as a playsuit. Its generally short sleeves and legs contrast with the long ones of the adult jumpsuit.
History
Romp ...
References
{{reflist
Infants' clothing
One-piece suits
History of fashion
Children's underwear