*The article below appeared in the Montreal Gazette and then in-print or online at the Vancouver Sun, the Calgary Herald, The Province, The Times Colonist and others.
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“Oh jeez, please no!” is likely what most women think when hearing the word “bodysuit.”
But it’s time to, er, suck it up: The form-fitting, snap-crotch bodysuit is gaining some major retail momentum. By summer, expect to see the look at more stores than just American Apparel.
This season, a navy blue bodysuit sold out across Canada at Club Monaco in less than a month. “Some things just fly off the racks,” said a baffled sales clerk, pulling out a purple bodysuit instead. The purple version with jersey swooping around varies from the bestselling blue, which had long sleeves and was in silk.
Other signs of the resurgence include celeb endorsements. In her InStyle magazine column, button-nose brunette Rachel Bilson gave a shout-out for the bodysuit last August, putting an IRO number on her wish list.
And in addition to a dance-craze revival from shows such as Glee, performers such as Beyonce and Lady Gaga are “baring” their bottoms in bodysuits onstage, inspired by pop goddesses such as Madonna.
After I lacquered on a white, long-discontinued Elita bodysuit, which has been hiding in my various closets since 1995 or so — bodysuits today are essentially the same as they were then — it became rather clear, in terms of form and function, why this look is back.
First of all, bodysuits (with sleeves, specifically) are warm. That’s why they put babies in onesies, my childhood pal-turned-mother Stephanie noted. As teens, she and I used to scour stores for the latest bodysuit.
Second, bodysuits make the latest higher-waisted harem pants, jodhpurs, and knickers feel sexy — and, since the combo exposes less midriff, it allows for some tummy relief.
Perhaps most obviously, bodysuits are great for working out.
But without a doubt, the best part of wearing a bodysuit is taking it off. It feels like sweet relief from self-induced bondage — although many high-school gals might totally disagree.
I know I once did.