Romper suit

Baby's romper suit, c.1950s. Museum of Childhood (Edinburgh).

A romper suit, or just romper, is a one-piece combination of shorts and a shirt worn both by children and adult women.

History

Baby wearing a romper suit

Rompers appeared in the United States of America in the early 1900s. They were popular as playwear for younger children because people thought they were ideal for movement. Rompers were in many ways the first modern casual clothes for children. They were light and loose fitting, a major change from the much more restrictive clothing children wore during the 19th Century Victorian era. Styles and conventions varied from country to country. In France they were, for many years, only for boys. While primarily a play garment, we note French children wearing dressy rompers. Their popularity peaked in the 1950s when they were used by children as playwear and by women as leisure- and beachwear. Thereafter the garment has continued to be used by infants and toddlers; however, it has become less common among older girls and women, although never disappearing entirely.

Adult fashion

A woman wearing a romper

Rompers emerged in the 1970s as a fashion for adult women, usually a casual garment made of terrycloth, and often in a tube top style. They were common in the 1980s in a wider variety of materials. Since 2006 rompers have enjoyed a minor renaissance as a fashionable garment for women. Several designers have presented collections including romper suits and they are offered by many retailers. Designers include Deborah Sweeney and Juliette Hogan

In the 2010s the "sleep romper" for women gained popularity, being similar in style to the teddy, but with the appearance of shorts.

See also

• Infant bodysuit
• Infant clothing
• Onesie

External links

• "Romper boom: I see Anna, and Blake, and Dita..." in USA Today
• "Rompers all the rage" on Blog.shopbop.com
• "French rompers / barboteuse" on "Historical Boys' Clothing" website