Men’s one-piece snowsuits, also known as onesies, have transformed from functional winter gear to athletic fashion statements in recent years.
But when did these form-fitting bodysuits popular among skiers and snowboarders first slide into the spotlight?
A Practical Past
One piece snowsuits first emerged in the mid-20th century as practical outerwear to keep winter recreationists warm and dry on the slopes.
They enveloped the whole body, including the torso, arms, and legs, securing winter elements while locking body heat safely in.
Early incarnations of men’s snowsuits focused purely on function over fashion. Fabrics like nylon, polyester, and GoreTex provided insulation and weatherproofing with little consideration of aesthetics or style.
For decades, bulky, puffy suits dominated winter mountains purely for practical warmth while skiing and snowboarding.
From Baggy to Body-Conscious
In the early 2000s, slimming fits and designs gradually replaced boxy and oversized men’s snowsuits.
Brands like Descente and Spyder introduced streamlined “second skin” suits tailored to move fluidly with an athlete’s body.
Spurred by innovative fabrics boasting high-tech moisture-wicking and stretch capabilities, suits could now flex and bend without restraint.
An influx of breathable yet toasty thin insulation materials like Thinsulate also facilitated less bulky garments.
| Year | Key Design Innovation |
| 2001 | Spyder debuts “body-mapped” snowsuits custom-tailored to different zones of the male physique |
| 2003 | Descente unveils the Transform jacket integrating carefully engineered two and four-way stretch panels |
| 2017 | Helly Hansen launches male-specific one-piece suits with “living fit” technology flexing perfectly to a man’s frame |
“Before, snowsports gear focused exclusively on function,” explains James Marchant, Snowsports Product Developer. “But as body-conscious Lycra creeping into cycling and running apparel, it was a natural progression for winter wear too.”
Sure enough, gone were the days of bulky, shapeless snowsuits. Out of puffy excess emerged lean, athletic garments akin to performance sportswear.
One Piece Suits Hit Mainstream Popularity
The 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia catalyzed the modern onesie craze. Danish brand POW precision-cut bold red, white, and blue Olympic snowsuits for the US Snowboard Team hugging their impressive physiques.
Suddenly, male one-pieces transitioned from niche sportswear to lust-worthy must-have items.
| Year | Fashion Milestone |
| 2016 | Onesie sales rise over 30% as mainstream retailers like ASOS launch affordable designs |
| 2018 | Rapper Travis Scott ignites a viral onesie moment wearing a bright red snowsuit to perform at Coachella music festival |
| 2021 | Lil Nas X slays in a hot pink number by Italian brand GCDS, upping suit streaks on social media |
“It’s the skintight, all-in-one aspect eliciting this new fixation,” Victoria Brown, Sports Fashion Journalist explains. “In an era obsessed with clingy activewear emphasizing the human form, onesies represent a logical extreme.”
Indeed, modern onesies leave little to the imagination – and that’s precisely the appeal. Form-fitting fabrics contour every ripple and bulge of hard-worked muscles or taut athletic frames.
For thrill-seeking men, peacocking physical prowess in a body-conscious second skin carries an innate rebellion impetus when barreling down mountains.
Celebrity Sightings Stoke Mass Desire
Unsurprisingly, style icons and heartthrobs swaddling their statuesque bodies in snowsuits accelerated mass public thirst.
In 2022, queer It-boy celebrity offspring Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz snuggled up in matching white onesies by Moncler.
Being the offspring of one of the biggest pop stars (Victoria Beckham) and model/actresses (Claudia Peltz) made them prime targets for paparazzi and public adoration.
“If sculpted celebrities dripping in luxury onesies doesn’t ignite craving, nothing will,” Ida Cohen, Pop Culture Sociologist states. “Their dazzling display essentially gave the masses license to fantasize.”
| Year | Celebrity Sighting |
| 2022 | Heartthrob couple Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz in his ‘n hers $1700+ Moncler Grenoble suits |
| 2023 | BTS K-Pop band member Jungkook hits the slopes of South Korea clad in head-to-toe Fendi fur |
| 2023 | A shirtless Adam Levine shreds Utah Valleys draped a $5000 custom black Louis Vuitton x Bogner onesie with a live DJ set |
“These are beautiful people at coveted ski destinations wearing obscenely expensive gear,” Ida adds. “It’s like dangling raw meat before starving lions – the allure is visceral.”
Indeed, luxury labels crafting limited edition suits quickly became ultimate status symbols and objects of desire. Suddenly men’s one-piece snowsuits symbolized entry into an elite snow-worshipping cult with celebs, musicians, and athletes as its spandex-swaddled leaders.
Predictions: Onesies Are Here To Stay
Men’s onesies show zero signs of cooling off anytime soon. If anything, their popularity continues to heat up year after year.
2023 kicked off with a 42% spike in global searches for men’s one-piece snowsuits compared to 2022.
This selling season also welcomed adventurous new styles, including:
✔️ Daring side-zippers for quick relief breaks
✔️ Peephole face masks keep identity mysterious
✔️ Custom pieces studded with 50,000 Swarovski crystals
✔️ Innovative battery-powered heating elements keep bulges perky
So whether you’re an aspiring Olympian, weekend ski bunny, or Coachella-bound party animal, the catsuit is undoubtedly the hottest way to tackle winter in 2023.
Don your sizzling second skin and unleash your inner snow warrior! Just be warned – all eyes will be glued on your smoking silhouette.
