Onesie Buying Guide

Onesies aren’t just for babies anymore. Adults have realized how comfortable and easy they are, and the all-in-one loungewear suit has become a craze. Many people now own multiple onesies for lounging around the house and sleeping, and some even use them for costume events. They also make fantastic gifts.

If you don’t have extensive experience buying onesies, there are some things to consider that you don’t have to think about when buying traditional pajamas. Our Onesie Buying Guide is filled with tips and detailed information to help you choose the best onesie.

Why should I get a onesie?

Onesies are everywhere now, and people love them. There are many reasons for their popularity, but the three most common are ease, comfort, appearance, and affordability.

Onesies are easy. You don’t have to worry about finding both a top and bottom that go well together and keep you comfortable, nor do you have to spend time searching for the missing pair to your pajama set. One piece attire is always easier to buy, wash, and wear – just slip it over your shoulders, and you’re set. Onesies offer the ease of a nightgown with much more comfort.

Onesies are comfortable. Nightgowns don’t cover much, and they’re particularly uncomfortable in colder temperatures. Two piece sets aren’t much better – tops ride up while bottoms fall down, and you usually have to wear an extra layer to stay warm. A good onesie that fits well will never have you fussing and adjusting, and it will keep you warm from your head to your toes.

Onesies are cute. People love the way that onesies look on adults. The trendier, form-fitting onesies are very cute, while the animal onesies are hilarious and fun.

Onesies are affordable. Nice nightgowns can get expensive, and buying separates adds up as well. Being able to buy an entire outfit in one piece is much cheaper than buying pajama pants, a pajama shirt, socks, and a sweatshirt to stay warm.

Where is it appropriate to wear a onesie?

Onesies are most commonly used as pajamas and comfortable clothes to wear in the house. They’re comfortable to sleep in, but they’re even better for lounging around the house, watching a movie, having a family game night, or even working from home.

Another popular occasion for onesies is a Halloween or costume party. As described below, many onesies come in fun designs such as animals and superheroes. If you want to dress up as a bunny, for example, a bunny rabbit onesie is the way to go. It includes the ears, tail, feet, and everything all in one suit.

Onesies are so comfortable that it can be tempting to wear them out in public to run errands, go to class, or go shopping. However, it’s usually not considered socially acceptable to wear a onesie in public unless it is for a special occasion like a costume party.

What Kind of Onesie Should I Get?

There are many different features and designs to consider when shopping for a onesie. The following section reviews the benefits and drawbacks of various options.

Choosing a Onesie Design

Footed v. Footless

Choosing whether to get a footed or non-footed onesie is usually the first decision to make when shopping for a onesie.

You’ll want to consider how cold your feet tend to get. Footed onesies keep you extra cozy and warm, but if you tend to get too warm, a footed onesie can be uncomfortable. If you like to wear slippers around the house, you might want to consider a footless onesie, because footed onesies make it difficult to wear slippers. Also, the bottoms of footed onesies can get dirty and wet easily, which can be uncomfortable.

Hood v. No Hood

The next thing you’ll have to consider is whether or not you want your onesie to have a hood. Having a hood really has no drawbacks, as you can choose whether you want to wear the hood or leave it down.

Because onesies are mostly designed for indoor wear, their hoods rarely serve any practical purpose in terms of shielding wind and rain. Therefore, the question of whether or not to purchase a hooded onesie is mostly up to design preference. Some people like the fact that a hooded onesie can keep their neck and ears warm.

Back Flap v. No Back Flap

Although it’s becoming increasingly rare, some onesies still offer back flaps so that you can use the restroom more conveniently.

For some people, the inconvenience of using the restroom while wearing a onesie is their biggest drawback. If that is the case for you, a onesie with a back flap is the perfect solution. If you don’t find undressing in a onesie to be overly bothersome, a onesie with no back flap is probably preferable, as it will provide you with a wider range of options.

Zippers v. Snaps

This is mostly a matter of aesthetic preference. Zippers are a bit easier, but if they break, they are harder to replace. Snaps rarely break, but they can come undone easier than zippers. If you purchase a quality onesie that fits you well, neither should be an issue.

Choosing a Onesie Fabric

Another important factor to consider when choosing a onesie is what type of fabric you want. This will affect everything from comfort level to warmth to durability. The most common fabrics for onesies are fleece, cotton, and polyester.

Fleece onesies will keep you warmer than any other fabric. They are also very soft and cozy. The softness of fleece can be tempting, but many people find fleece onesies to be too warm. This fabric is best for very cold weather, especially circumstances in which you won’t have access to a heater, such as winter camping.

Cotton onesies aren’t quite as warm and soft as fleece but they’re much more breathable. Breathability is important in a onesie since they cover your entire body. For that reason, many find them to be the ideal fabric for a onesie. Cotton is still a very soft and comfortable fabric.

Polyester blend onesies are another option for a breathable fabric that won’t cause you to overheat. Polyester is not as soft and supple as cotton, but it is usually more durable. It’s also less likely to shrink, which is particularly important for a onesie. Finally, polyester dries faster than cotton, although if you’re not planning to wear your onesie outside, this probably isn’t important.

Flannel onesies are great for people who want the comfort and coziness offered by fleece with the breathability of cotton. Fleece is very soft and often feels warmer than cotton, but in reality, they are about the same. It’s more breathable than fleece, and it’s one of the most durable fabrics.

Choosing a Onesie Style

Fashion Onesies

As onesies become more popular with adults, more brands are offering fashion onesies as opposed to simple, solid print onesies, or onesies with childish prints. These designs often include prints inspired by Nordic, forest, and winter themes, indigenous and tribal patterns, stripes, polka dots, and form-fitting onesies.

Fashion onesies are a great year-round, all-purpose loungewear option. You can now find styles that look just as cute and flattering as regular pajamas, and you can choose patterns and colors that match your personality.

Fun Onesies

Onesies also come in all kinds of fun and silly designs. Many of them can be used as costumes. The designs for fun onesies include everything from animals such as dogs and sharks to superheroes to popular characters like Pokemon.

These onesies are funny to wear to costume parties, sleepovers, and other events with friends, but they’re not always the best option for every day loungewear. The animal onesies, for example, can be obnoxious to sleep in because the tail and ears can get in the way of your comfort.

What to Wear With Your Onesie

Some people like to wear clothing underneath their onesie, whereas some prefer to wear the onesie by itself. This will depend on both personal preference and how warm you’d like to be.

If you purchase a onesie with a back flap, you’ll want to avoid wearing underwear so that you can use the back flap. With other onesies, underwear is a matter of personal preference. Some people also choose to wear leggings or long johns under their onesie for additional warmth.

If you are wearing your onesie out in public, it’s recommended that you wear underwear underneath it just in case.

Washing Your Onesie

All onesies should be machine washable. It’s important to turn them inside out before washing and to wash them with like colors, as they will likely bleed on the first wash. You’ll usually want to use gentle settings to keep your onesie soft, especially if it is fleece.

Different onesies will vary depending on their fabric. Check the tag for further instructions. Some onesies will recommend that you do not put them in the dryer, whereas others are find to dry.

If you like the way your onesie fits before it has been washed, you should wash it in cold water and hang it up to dry rather than putting it in the dryer. Once it is almost dry, you can place it in the dryer on a tumble dry or low (no heat) setting to leave it dry and soft.

Onesie Sizes

Onesies typically come in men’s, women’s, and children’s sizes. Many people prefer to buy their onesie a size larger in case it shrinks. Also, unlike separates, if a onesie is too small, it can greatly decrease mobility.

Sizing will also depend on whether you want your onesie to be loose or form-fitting. Just know that form-fitting onesies are more difficult to size. However, if you’re purchasing a onesie with a stretchable fabric, such as spandex, that will make it easier.

To figure out what size you should purchase, please read our detailed Onesie Sizing Guide.