Plain black 100% natural fibers knit sleeveless bodysuit with buttflap?
October 18, 2022 6:29 AM Subscribe
Looking for something without a waistband that I can wear under dresses but don't need to take the whole thing off to use the bathroom.
Any sort of pressure on my torso from waistbands makes me nauseated. I've already tried going up sizes, maternity leggings, stockings, chub rub bands, not wearing leggings ar all, etc. and none of those work well for me. And yes I've seen a gastroenterologist about it and gotten scoped from both ends but they had no answers or solutions for me.
I'd like to try a sleeveless bodysuit (something like this) next since it doesn't have a waistband.
However, I have a bunch of special snowflake requirements:
1) Must be 100% cotton, 100% wool, or otherwise 100% natural fibers because artificial fabrics give me a rash.
2) Must have a buttflap so I can use the bathroom without getting undressed.
3) Very strong preference that it be sleeveless because I overheat easily whenever my armpits are covered (even in winter!) so I try to wear sleeveless tops with a cardigan that I can put on or take off as needed to regulate my temperature.
4) Comfortable stretchy knit
5) Plain black because that's what matches the rest of my wardrobe
6) Available in plus sizes. Not sure of my current exact size but I think it's 2X or 3X.
I hope someone out there knows of something because I'm sick of feeling sick all day. Thanks.
Any sort of pressure on my torso from waistbands makes me nauseated. I've already tried going up sizes, maternity leggings, stockings, chub rub bands, not wearing leggings ar all, etc. and none of those work well for me. And yes I've seen a gastroenterologist about it and gotten scoped from both ends but they had no answers or solutions for me.
I'd like to try a sleeveless bodysuit (something like this) next since it doesn't have a waistband.
However, I have a bunch of special snowflake requirements:
1) Must be 100% cotton, 100% wool, or otherwise 100% natural fibers because artificial fabrics give me a rash.
2) Must have a buttflap so I can use the bathroom without getting undressed.
3) Very strong preference that it be sleeveless because I overheat easily whenever my armpits are covered (even in winter!) so I try to wear sleeveless tops with a cardigan that I can put on or take off as needed to regulate my temperature.
4) Comfortable stretchy knit
5) Plain black because that's what matches the rest of my wardrobe
6) Available in plus sizes. Not sure of my current exact size but I think it's 2X or 3X.
I hope someone out there knows of something because I'm sick of feeling sick all day. Thanks.
Yep, that’s a (cute) jumpsuit! With short legs it’s a romper.
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 6:51 AM on October 18, 2022
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 6:51 AM on October 18, 2022
Two questions
1) are you willing to take an existing garment to a tailor to get a slit/gusset made?
2) stretchy and 100% natural fibers is going to be hard - do you have any flexibility (no pub intended) on this? Or can you link to other leggings that (but for the waistband) that have worked for you?
posted by mercredi at 6:53 AM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
1) are you willing to take an existing garment to a tailor to get a slit/gusset made?
2) stretchy and 100% natural fibers is going to be hard - do you have any flexibility (no pub intended) on this? Or can you link to other leggings that (but for the waistband) that have worked for you?
posted by mercredi at 6:53 AM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
So other relevant terms would be Jumpsuit or or catsuit. In some cases "onesie" will also return some relevant results, but most of what you're going to find with a buttflap is going to be pajamas. If that's OK, then great, but just something of which you should be aware.
posted by Medieval Maven at 7:09 AM on October 18, 2022
posted by Medieval Maven at 7:09 AM on October 18, 2022
I think your search term of bodysuit (not jumpsuit) is right, since you're looking for an undergarment. You might also search "adult onesie with flap."
I think "stretch" and "all natural" are going to be tough to find in the same garment and you might need to consider fabric blends if you want stretch. The only exception I can think of is cotton jersey, but in my experience, it loses its stretch throughout the day and becomes loose/baggy.
I also want to recommend going to an alterations place to shorten the sleeves if you find a good bodysuit but it has sleeves. Often your local dry cleaner offers this basic service for a fee.
posted by happy_cat at 7:12 AM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
I think "stretch" and "all natural" are going to be tough to find in the same garment and you might need to consider fabric blends if you want stretch. The only exception I can think of is cotton jersey, but in my experience, it loses its stretch throughout the day and becomes loose/baggy.
I also want to recommend going to an alterations place to shorten the sleeves if you find a good bodysuit but it has sleeves. Often your local dry cleaner offers this basic service for a fee.
posted by happy_cat at 7:12 AM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
1) are you willing to take an existing garment to a tailor to get a slit/gusset made?
Another option would be to get a garment with sleeves and cut off the sleeves (if you don't much mind how it looks you can just do this yourself, with scissors, knit fabric generally doesn't ravel badly). You could probably also handle making a slit yourself: just open up the crotch seam.
More useful search terms:
"unitard" - this is a stretchy all-over garment, often with full legs and no sleeves
"drop seat" - slightly classier term for "butt flap"
I think this is going to be a pretty difficult thing to find, though - you want a fairly unique combination of features to start with, and an all-natural-fiber knit garment that is tight through the torso, butt, and legs is just difficult to achieve, technologically-speaking.
posted by mskyle at 7:16 AM on October 18, 2022
Another option would be to get a garment with sleeves and cut off the sleeves (if you don't much mind how it looks you can just do this yourself, with scissors, knit fabric generally doesn't ravel badly). You could probably also handle making a slit yourself: just open up the crotch seam.
More useful search terms:
"unitard" - this is a stretchy all-over garment, often with full legs and no sleeves
"drop seat" - slightly classier term for "butt flap"
I think this is going to be a pretty difficult thing to find, though - you want a fairly unique combination of features to start with, and an all-natural-fiber knit garment that is tight through the torso, butt, and legs is just difficult to achieve, technologically-speaking.
posted by mskyle at 7:16 AM on October 18, 2022
What is it for? That is, you’re wearing a dress over it — is the goal that you want tights/leggings that will stay up without any constriction at the waist?
If that’s the goal, have you thought about suspenders? Regular leggings, slit the waistband on both sides to solve the constriction problem, hold them up with suspenders? That seems easier than finding a bodysuit/jumpsuit with a buttflap.
posted by LizardBreath at 7:18 AM on October 18, 2022
If that’s the goal, have you thought about suspenders? Regular leggings, slit the waistband on both sides to solve the constriction problem, hold them up with suspenders? That seems easier than finding a bodysuit/jumpsuit with a buttflap.
posted by LizardBreath at 7:18 AM on October 18, 2022
I am not entirely sure what you're trying to achieve but I assume the purpose of the bodysuit would be the need to remove underpants that have waistbands? Have you considered just not wearing them? You can buy full slips. They don't have any restrictions on your torso. They do keep both your upper and lower half nicely separated from the dress or skirt in question and they wash well. They do away with the need for bum flaps. And they don't have sleeves. Historically, the purpose was to smooth out the silhouette and make sure skirts did not cling or ride up.
posted by koahiatamadl at 7:23 AM on October 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by koahiatamadl at 7:23 AM on October 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
Alternative possibility: cotton thigh-highs. But I think I'd go the suspenders route.
posted by metasarah at 8:22 AM on October 18, 2022
posted by metasarah at 8:22 AM on October 18, 2022
Response by poster: I also need my thighs to not rub together and my legs to stay warm in winter. So I need leggings, but without a waistband.
posted by Jacqueline at 8:23 AM on October 18, 2022
posted by Jacqueline at 8:23 AM on October 18, 2022
Response by poster: Another option would be to get a garment with sleeves and cut off the sleeves
oh my god i feel like such an idiot for not thinking of this lol
I have seen a few longjohns-style onesies that I could probably do this to, thanks
posted by Jacqueline at 8:25 AM on October 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
oh my god i feel like such an idiot for not thinking of this lol
I have seen a few longjohns-style onesies that I could probably do this to, thanks
posted by Jacqueline at 8:25 AM on October 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
No specific recommendations, but would something with snaps instead of a buttflap work?
posted by Lay Off The Books at 9:59 AM on October 18, 2022
posted by Lay Off The Books at 9:59 AM on October 18, 2022
I also need my thighs to not rub together and my legs to stay warm in winter. So I need leggings, but without a waistband.
It sounds like you've found something already, but as an alternative that could also be fun: how about thigh-high stockings with elastic hems for that bit, and then a long slip, and no panties?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:36 AM on October 18, 2022
It sounds like you've found something already, but as an alternative that could also be fun: how about thigh-high stockings with elastic hems for that bit, and then a long slip, and no panties?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:36 AM on October 18, 2022
Cutting off the sleeves is a great idea! Note that for search terms, you might get luck looking for “union suits” with a trapdoor.
posted by umwhat at 10:52 AM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by umwhat at 10:52 AM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: how about thigh-high stockings with elastic hems
unfortunately everything like that either doesn't stay up or is incredibly painful to wear
my skin is basically elastic intolerant
posted by Jacqueline at 12:23 PM on October 18, 2022
unfortunately everything like that either doesn't stay up or is incredibly painful to wear
my skin is basically elastic intolerant
posted by Jacqueline at 12:23 PM on October 18, 2022
Not ideal, but you can get this 100% cotton union suit from Amazon. You can get it in navy and it's not hard to cut off the feet and sleeves and it goes up to 2X.
Also consider that if you're getting 100% cotton, you can always dye it black. Cotton dyes pretty easily.
posted by plinth at 1:15 PM on October 18, 2022
Also consider that if you're getting 100% cotton, you can always dye it black. Cotton dyes pretty easily.
posted by plinth at 1:15 PM on October 18, 2022
I don’t have recommendations about the garment itself, but in terms of material, silk might keep its shape better than cotton.
posted by mai at 7:16 PM on October 18, 2022
posted by mai at 7:16 PM on October 18, 2022
It almost sounds like you’re after Victorian combinations. There are some sellers on Etsy but they are a bit pricy.
posted by poxandplague at 4:43 AM on October 19, 2022
posted by poxandplague at 4:43 AM on October 19, 2022
>I have seen a few longjohns-style onesie
The search term you want would be "Woman's Union Suit"
They seem pretty generally available - Amazon, Walmart, Target, LL Bean all turn up on the first page of Google results. They seem to run $40-$50.
Most of them are cold-weather gear, but I would guess that light-weight ones exist.
posted by AsYouKnow Bob at 11:37 AM on October 19, 2022
The search term you want would be "Woman's Union Suit"
They seem pretty generally available - Amazon, Walmart, Target, LL Bean all turn up on the first page of Google results. They seem to run $40-$50.
Most of them are cold-weather gear, but I would guess that light-weight ones exist.
posted by AsYouKnow Bob at 11:37 AM on October 19, 2022
Response by poster: I cannot compromise on artificial fibers or elastic. I am allergic to both.
It's not a matter of simply Googling a different search term -- I've tried every search term suggested in this thread and I still cannot find anything both in my size and made from a fabric that my skin can tolerate.
Everyone claiming that they can find lots of examples for sale: WHERE???? Please provide links to specific products. Because everything I'm finding is either artificial fibers or too small.
posted by Jacqueline at 5:28 AM on October 24, 2022
It's not a matter of simply Googling a different search term -- I've tried every search term suggested in this thread and I still cannot find anything both in my size and made from a fabric that my skin can tolerate.
Everyone claiming that they can find lots of examples for sale: WHERE???? Please provide links to specific products. Because everything I'm finding is either artificial fibers or too small.
posted by Jacqueline at 5:28 AM on October 24, 2022
Response by poster: Not ideal, but you can get this 100% cotton union suit from Amazon
Thanks but there's no butt flap, so if I wore this under a dress I would have to remove most of my clothes to use the bathroom, which is not practical to do 6 times a day at work.
posted by Jacqueline at 5:30 AM on October 24, 2022
Thanks but there's no butt flap, so if I wore this under a dress I would have to remove most of my clothes to use the bathroom, which is not practical to do 6 times a day at work.
posted by Jacqueline at 5:30 AM on October 24, 2022
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by showbiz_liz at 6:34 AM on October 18, 2022 [4 favorites]