Why Try On Long Johns? Because Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons Say So
Between the loungewear boom, the second-skin knit trend, and dressing to keep warm when gathering outdoors for some socially distanced activity, a pair of long underwear or long johns doesn’t seem all that out of place. In fact, we’ve always recommended sets of Uniqlo Heattech as base layers when facing super-cold commutes. And surely, those who typically spend a lot of time in the open air often aren’t unfamiliar with the idea of slipping on thermal underwear beneath their clothes. However, our perspectives on the go-to garment shifted over the weekend, thanks to the humble long john’s fashionable upgrade for the Prada fall 2021 menswear collection, which was streamed virtually on Sunday morning.
Dreamed up by co-creative directors Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons, the patterned knit onesies were at the foundation of every look that came dancing down the runway. Both Prada and Simons are calling it the “body piece,” and no matter which way it was styled, whether worn alone, layered under oversized sweaters, or peeking out under sharp tailoring, the all-over knit gave off a warm and fuzzy vibe, which is something we’ve all been longing for since the pandemic began. While some may be averse to wearing a onesie after months of living in loose, comfort-first ensembles, the new Prada men’s collection should be proof enough that something more formfitting is the next step in our evolving modes of pandemic-era dressing. Vogue Runway’s fashion news editor Steff Yotka seems to think so too. She says that “having spent much of lockdown in stretch Marine Serre bodysuits, the only right evolution of the look for winter seems to be a knit onesie—warm, comfortable, and perfect for layering under an oversized coat.” In other words, consider it a winterized version of your favorite pajamas.
While we can hope that these playful Prada suits come in unisex sizing when the collection drops later this year, here’s a handful of cashmere onesies and long john–inspired layerables that will have you warm up to the idea of wearing one in no time.
