Editing Catsuit

{{Short description|One-piece form-fitting garment}}
{{About|the form-fitting garment|the type of animal costume|Cat suit}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}[[File:9-promotional-model-Fenasucro.JPG|thumb|upright|[[Promotional model]]s in sleeveless catsuits]]A '''catsuit''' is a one-piece [[form-fitting garment]] that covers the torso and the legs, and frequently the arms.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catsuit |title=Catsuit – Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary |dictionary=Merriam-Webster |accessdate=11 August 2011}}</ref> They are usually made from stretchable material, such as [[lycra]], [[Chiffon (fabric)|chiffon]], [[spandex]] (after 1959), [[latex]], or [[velour]], but may use less elastic materials, such as [[leather]] or [[PVC]]. Catsuits frequently close by means of a [[zipper]] at the front or back. A catsuit is regarded as [[outerwear]], but not normally [[street wear]]. Catsuits are also used for [[sexualization]] or other types of [[sexuality]].

==History and use==
[[File:Black Latex Catsuit 777.jpg|thumb|A woman wearing a black plastic zip front [[latex]] [[sexual fetishism|fetish]] catsuit and [[thigh-high boots]]|left]]
Catsuits were occasionally worn as a fashion item at various times from the 1960s to the 1990s. During the 1970s and 1980s, they were worn for [[aerobics]] and [[disco dancing]]. Around 1980, disco dance catsuits briefly became a street fashion item in the [[United Kingdom]].

Athletes in sports such as [[speed skating]], [[bobsled]], [[winter triathlon]], [[skiing|ski-racing]], [[cycling]], [[bodyflight]], [[skysurfing]] and [[gymnastics]] wear garments similar to catsuits, called [[unitard]]s, which are specifically geared to the needs of the sport involved. Also similar in appearance are [[wetsuit]]s and [[drysuit]]s used by [[SCUBA diving|scuba divers]], and the [[speedsuit]]s used by competitive [[swimming (sport)|swimmers]] before the more extreme forms of the suit were banned. Also, in [[tennis]] [[Serena Williams]] would sometimes wear catsuits, two examples are the [[2002 U.S. Open (tennis)|2002 US Open]] and the [[2018 French Open]].

The name "catsuit" is attributed only since about 1955 or 1960.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dictionary.com/browse/catsuit?s=t |title=cat suit |work=Dictionary.com |accessdate=27 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catsuit |title=catsuit |work=Merriam-Webster Dictionary |accessdate=27 November 2019}}</ref> Originally, they were called bodysuits. The origin of the name is unknown; it may refer to a slinky, catlike aspect given the wearer by some versions.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/catsuit |title=catsuit (n.) |author=The Sciolist |work=Etymology Online |accessdate=27 November 2019}}</ref> It may also relate to the association with [[antihero]]ine [[Catwoman]] whose costume from the 1950s onward is a modified catsuit.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/32652-catwoman-turns-10-the-history-of-the-catsuit-includes-evening-dresses-whips |title=The history of the catsuit |date=22 July 2014 |accessdate=25 July 2021}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
[[File:Lee Meriwether as Catwoman 1966.jpg|thumb|upright|Actress [[Lee Meriwether]] as [[Catwoman]] in 1966 is wearing a catsuit that is also a [[cat suit]].]]
{{main|Catsuits and bodysuits in popular media}}
{{in popular culture|date=June 2023}}
The catsuit is often worn in movies, television, music videos, and computer games.

* In comics and their movie adaptations, catsuits are often worn by [[superhero]]es and [[supervillain]]s, including the iconic [[Catwoman]]; other examples include [[Black Cat (Marvel Comics)|Black Cat]], [[Batgirl]] and [[Black Panther (Marvel Comics)|Black Panther]].
* [[Scarlett Johansson]] wears a catsuit portraying [[Natasha Romanoff (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Natasha Romanoff-Black Widow]] in several films, beginning with ''[[Iron Man 2]]'' (2010).<ref>{{cite news|first=Nikki|last=Finke|title=Another Iron Man 2 Deal|work=Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood Daily|date=11 March 2009|url=http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/another-iron-man-2-exclusive-scarlett-johannson-will-replace-emily-blunt-in-iron-man-2/|accessdate=12 March 2009}}</ref> 
* The lead female characters of the ''[[Underworld (film series)|Underworld]]'' film series and ''[[The Matrix]]'' wore catsuits.
* [[File:Eras Tour - Arlington, TX - Reputation act 1 (cropped).jpg|left|thumb|291x291px|[[Taylor Swift]] wearing a catsuit during [[The Eras Tour]]]]Female villains and heroines in [[spy films]] may wear catsuits, such as the Baroness and Scarlett in ''[[G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra]]''.
* An iconic use of catsuits in popular media was on the British television show ''[[The Avengers (TV series)|The Avengers]]'', where [[Cathy Gale]] ([[Honor Blackman]]) and [[Emma Peel]] ([[Diana Rigg]]) wore tight leather catsuits; leather was chosen because it lit well in studio lighting and did not split during action scenes.
* [[Shirley Bassey]] wore a sleeveless [[Chiffon (fabric)|chiffon]] catsuit for a gatefold album photograph, and in concert.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shirleybassey.wordpress.com/2008/01/20/the-catsuit/ |title=The Catsuit |website=ShirleyBassey.WordPress.com |date=20 January 2008 |accessdate=11 August 2011}}</ref>
* [[Cher]] has worn catsuits in concert.<ref>{{cite web|first=Beth |last=Hardie |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2009/04/21/celebrity-catsuit-queens-mirror-co-uk-s-top-10-115875-21295359/ |title=Celebrity catsuit queens – Mirror.co.uk's top 10 |work=Daily Mirror |date=21 April 2009 |accessdate=11 August 2011}}</ref>
* In popular culture, catsuits have become the stereotypical costume of [[dominatrixes]].
* [[Lara Croft]], heroine of the ''[[Tomb Raider]]'' franchise, has worn catsuits in specific segments in ''[[Tomb Raider 3]]'' and ''[[Tomb Raider: Chronicles]]''.
* In the ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]'' TV series, the Vulcan commander [[T'Pol]] (portrayed by [[Jolene Blalock]]) wore a uniform sometimes described as a catsuit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0086883/bio#quotes|title=Jolene Blalock - Biography|date=April 2006|website=IMDB}}, "Without my Vulcan catsuit, Frankenstein wig and pointed ears, I don't get recognized. I love the fact I'm a shapeshifter who can go unnoticed."</ref>
* The music video of [[Liberty X]]'s 2002 smash hit "[[Just a Little (Liberty X song)|Just a Little]]" features two of its members, [[Jessica Taylor]] and [[Kelli Young]], wearing tight black latex catsuits.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/news-photo/kelli-young-michelle-heaton-and-jessica-taylor-of-pop-group-news-photo/2084464?adppopup=true|title=Liberty X Video Shoot 'Just A Little'|publisher=Getty Images|first=John|last=Rogers|date=16 March 2002|accessdate=4 December 2022}}</ref> On occasions where the group has performed the song live on television, both Taylor and Young wear their catsuits from the original music video.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=822EFKULgKU|title=Just A Little - Liberty X TOTPs 24th May 2002|publisher=YouTube|first=John|last=Bailey|date=12 January 2009|accessdate=10 December 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01tzumnfWmA|title=Liberty X &ndash; Just A Little &ndash; CDUK 2002|publisher=YouTube|work=POPWORLDUK|date=7 August 2019|accessdate=10 December 2002}}</ref> In 2013, when the group performed during the Big Reunion, both members wore a different design of their catsuits.<ref name="reunion">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2PePgnOITg|title=Liberty X - Just a Little - The Big Reunion Tour - Glasgow SECC - 7TH MAY 2013|publisher=YouTube|first=Karen|last=Stevenson|date=8 May 2013|accessdate=10 December 2022}}</ref>
* [[Taylor Swift]] wore a snake-patterned catsuit for the [[Reputation (album)|''Reputation'']] act of her [[The Eras Tour|Eras Tour]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zacharek |first=Stephanie |author-link=Stephanie Zacharek |date=2023-10-14 |title='The Eras Tour' Movie Will Make Anyone a Believer in the Magic of Taylor Swift |url=https://time.com/6323858/taylor-swift-the-eras-tour-movie-review/ |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Bodystocking]]
* [[Bodysuit]]
* [[Bondage suit]]
* [[Fetish fashion]]
* [[Jumpsuit]]
* [[Latex and PVC fetishism]] 
* [[Latex clothing]] 
* [[Leggings]]
** [[Leg warmers]] 
** [[Tights]]
* [[Long underwear]]
* [[PVC clothing]]
* [[Spandex fetishism]]
* [[Unitard]]
* [[Wetsuit]]
* [[Zentai]]
{{Div col end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Catsuits}}

[[Category:20th-century fashion]]
[[Category:21st-century fashion]]
[[Category:Costume design]]
[[Category:Fetish clothing]]
[[Category:One-piece suits]]