Combination, cover all, and romper. My brain was telling me that these were all English words, but I couldn't, for the life of me, make sense of them. It was because combination, cover all, and romper are all names of baby clothing items in Japan! In America, we are more familiar with onesies, footies, and beanies, but here in Japan, babies clothes take on a different name (despite being in English) and style. Here's a guide to Japanese baby items to help you pick out the perfect outfit for your little one!
短肌着
Hadagi literally translates to under clothes, and so these shirts are basically just that. The short hadagi shirts are waist length. Each flap crosses over to wrap around the body. The fit is often loose and flared. They are often breathable (mesh or gauze material) and the seams and tags are on the outside as to not irritate the baby's skin. To fasten, you can buy the kind that uses strings (himo type) or you can buy the kind that snaps. In America, this type of shirt is often called a"kimono shirt" or "body wrap".
長肌着
The long hadagi is very similar to the short hadagi except that they are often knee or ankle length with longer and more "kimono" like sleeves. You can also buy the snap type or the string type. I love it when my daughter wears her pure white type because she looks like an angel.
肌着{ノースリーブ}
This 'hadagi' version is similar to the above, but it has no sleeves and is great for summer or combining with other clothing.
コンビ肌着
The 'combi' underwear is like a 'long hadagi'. The sleeves are often long, and the front is usually tied like a kimono, but the difference is that the bottom half can snapped so that there are two "pant legs", but unlike "pants legs" the shape allows the newborn's legs to maintain their natural "M" shape formation. Combi underwear can be used as is when inside, and it can be used under "rompers" and "cover alls" when outside.
ドレスオール
This item looks like a dress that covers the feet. The unique part about a 'dress all' is that it has a ruffled and scrunched hem. This item is ideal for newborns that require a lot of changing because all you need to do is lift up the dress. This item loses popularity as the newborn gets older and more active because the hem will just keep popping up, and the baby will possibly get cold.
カバーオール
As the name suggests, this item covers the majority of the body except the feet (some types cover feet). Most newborns graduate from the 'dress all' to the 'cover all' because the'cover all' has individual pant legs, which is great for when the newborn becomes more active. The 'cover all' can come in short and no-sleeve types, and these can be used as both outerwear or underwear.
ロンパース
Rompers are similar to 'cover alls'. They can be worn as outerwear or underwear and also come in long, short, and no sleeve types. However, rompers usually do not cover the feet or the entire leg. There are also two kinds of rompers: button/snap-up type and "wearable" type. The wearable type goes over the head and is usually difficult for newborns who can't support their necks yet, so the wearable type is not advised until after 4 months.
ツーウェイオール
The 'two way all" is basically both a 'cover all' and 'dress all'. The bottom portion of a two-way all serves as a dress or pants depending on your needs. The dress portion is good for night time, as it will be easy to change diapers. The pants version is great for the day when the baby is active and crawling. This item is usually good up until the parent decides to switch to separate pants and shirts.
ボディースーツ
These are like 'rompers' except they have no legs and are often used as undershirts.
スタイ
The Japanese word for bib is 'yodare kake' but oftentimes, you will see the word 'sutai' as well. 'Sutai' comes from a Swedish brand that marketed bibs under the name "sutai". The name took hold in Japan, kinda like how "Kleenex" can often be used in lieu of "tissue", and both 'yodare kake' and 'sutai' are used interchangeably.
おくるみ
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