bodysuits

A bodysuit is a close-fitting one-piece garment that covers the torso and usually the crotch. In fashion usage, it is designed to be worn either as a top or as a base layer. The bottom of a bodysuit is fastened in some way to stay in place, typically with snap fasteners, hooks, or an integrated closure at the crotch. Some variations extend to the legs or arms, but the core characteristic is a seamless, continuous torso.

Common variants include fashion bodysuits (stylish cuts, necklines, and fabrics such as cotton, satin, lace); shapewear bodysuits (constructed with compression panels to smooth the torso); athletic or dance bodysuits (stretch fabrics like Lycra or spandex, sometimes with zippers or openings for performance); and wetsuits or dive skins (neoprene or lightweight synthetics used for water activities).

Materials vary: cotton blends, synthetic knits, lace, mesh, silk, lycra, and neoprene. Construction may include seamless knitting, set-in or bonded seams, gussets for comfort, and different closures at the crotch. Some bodysuits are designed to be part of a coordinated outfit, while others are intended as underwear or base layers.

Care and sizing: Fit is important for function and appearance; sizes range from petite to plus, and fabrics often require gentle washing or hand washing for delicate materials. Elastic fibers can lose stretch with repeated washing, and care labels should be followed.

History and usage: The concept emerged in mid-20th century fashion as an evolution of the leotard and unitard, designed to stay in place and provide a smooth silhouette. Since then, bodysuits have proliferated across fashion, performance, swimwear, and shapewear, with stylistic and functional variants for different activities and aesthetics.