The Onesie: A fashion faux-pas or trendy?

Wikipedia defines a onesie as an infant bodysuit that is designed to be worn by infants much like a T-shirt. They are distinguished from T-shirts by an extension below the waist, with snaps or velcro that allow it to be closed over the crotch. The purpose of the opening at the crotch is to facilitate access to the infant’s nappy. Like T-shirts, infant bodysuits come in a wide variety of designs and may be worn as undergarments or as outer shirts.

A onesie sounds very grown-up doesn’t it? So where and when did this whole trend begin? But, most importantly, why are adults wearing them?

The onesie was the runaway hit of 2012. They make up 15% of all Marks & Spencer’s nightwear sales for adults. Fair enough- night time comfortable. But why oh why are adults wearing them in public?

Not just any adults, adult men- even celebrities such as Brad Pitt, Joey Essex, Justin Bieber and One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson have been snapped wearing them out and about on the streets. Were these men seriously considering themselves fashionable? Were they choosing comfort level over fashion?

Experts consider the man-sized babygrow to be the concluding event in the history of human masculinity. Evolutionary biologist Dr Emma Bradford says: “The modern world’s diminished need for physical strength has left men struggling to adjust. Or even, it seems, to put on a pair of proper trousers. Penises may exist for another couple of generations, but thanks to the onesie the concept of ‘man’ is officially dead.”

According to a poll by Johnson Cleaners, one of the largest dry cleaning companies in the UK the Onesie has been given a major thumbs down by nearly 40% of British women who insist the popular loungewear is a definite no-no for any self-respecting gentleman.

Let’s face it- it is a big playsuit. A Onesie looks cute on a baby, but surely not on a grown man…

Pooja Sahny

For Onesies at Marks and Spencers, click here.