I feel a moral obligation to alert the community about spurious fashion trends that are being revisited.  In the past that has resulted in a blog or two on mom jeans, leggings and the most aggregious fashion crime of all time -stirrup leggings.  Of course I report about these items as a past offender.  I have commited the crimes.  I have foolishly gone along with the fashion propaganda on a number of occasions to my detriment (actually my eternal detriment as many of these crimes were captured in photographic evidence).

Well, I feel it is my duty to inform you that rompers are back.  Yes…rompers.  Don’t believe me…well, look here at Body Central’s website for evidence.  If you are unclear on what a romper is, visualize a short version of an elasticized waist jumpsuit.  Albeit, unlike most jumpsuits, rompers tend to be sleeveless and often strapless.  There is a reason for this and the reason is why I theorize they are called “rompers” – oh yes, this little fashion travesty was no doubt a testosterone-filled man’s design from back in the day.

Allow me to define romp:
To play or frolic boisterously.

Hence, the romper is for boisterous playing or frolicking (I believe it lends itself more to the frolic). I think a photo is instructive at this point.  What’s nice about rompers is that they are easy-on and easy-off.  They are great as bathing suit coverups.  Alas, they are not always advertised as such – they are advertised as an outfit unto itself – the one piece easy-on, easy-off wonder.  Hmmmm.  I do believe the male designer who created this wasn’t just thinking of endless summer days on the beach or hanging out with friends at a barbecue…oh no, allow me to insert my impression of his deviant intent…I do believe he was more focused on the romp than anything.   And folks, I don’t think he was thinking frolicking of the sorts Puff the Magic Dragon did.  Oh no, rompers are, by definition and design, sex-friendly outfits.  If your libido is on overdrive and you need it now – date a girl in a romper – outfit removal time is 0.2 seconds (not that I have personally timed it or anything). 😉

Does anyone else out there remember Romper Room the children’s television show that ran for decades?  I wonder how the producers of that show felt when some male designer decided that he would create an outfit that was frolic-friendly and call it a romper,  I don’t know that they appreciated that imprint…perhaps that is why Romper Room is no longer on the air.

I can tell you this much, when I think rompers and hear the phrase “romper room” I don’t think about the children’s television show.  I dare say that this revisitation of the romper fashion trend will create a similar mental imprint with others.  Romper will forever be uttered with a miscevious little smirk on the utterer’s face.

I can still vividly remember my favorite romper from the eighties – it was a strapless lavendar terry cloth – very comfy and very easy-on /easy-off.  I wore it a lot back then around the house…it was the sex kitten version of lounging clothes in my day. To my credit, I never wore it out to the store or social gatherings.  So yes, I know of what I speak and I can tell you that they are conducive to boisterous frolicking; and as such, are appropriately named.

So they are back and having read this you are now apprised of the real design intent of rompers (and arguably their greatest value).  I dare you to try and say “romper room” to someone wearing a romper this summer without a mischevious smirk.  It is tough to do because now you know too much…you can thank me later. 😉

Day six hundred and seventy of the new forty – obla di obla da

Ms. C