DorEm Answers

Dorigen,

Please explain a romper.

Emily

Emily,

I don’t really understand how this happened.  Until a few years ago, a romper was a one-piece playsuit for babies, also known as a onesie.  

Having never had a baby, I’m not sure what the practical benefits are of a one-piece outfit.  Maybe it saves you from having to continually tuck in your toddler’s shirts?  Less laundry than separates?  The legs cover unsightly diaper rash that a dress might expose?  I’m not sure. At any rate, suddenly it has become a fashion item for grown women – an easy breezy summer staple for hitting up barbecues and festivals.  I would like to point out, however, that baby  rompers have a major design feature that adult rompers lack: crotch snaps.  

There is no good way to navigate a port-o-potty in a romper.  But the idea of a crotch snap brings back nightmarish visions of the bodysuits of the early 90’s. This one has the added features of being a ribbed knit and having a mock turtleneck, just how we liked to wear them with our high waisted jeans.

I admit that I do find today’s lady rompers much cuter than the bodysuits of yore, but will probably look back and wonder what I was thinking.  I will close this post with the most awesome clip ever, which I found searching the internet for 90s bodysuit.  Rosie Perez working it OUT on Soul Train to Whitney Houston’s ‘So Emotional.’  You’re welcome.

Dorigen