Close-fitting garments made of neoprene or similar material, worn by divers and water sports enthusiasts to retain body heat in water.
Compound word from wet + suit, coined in the 1950s when neoprene diving suits were developed. Unlike 'dry suits', wetsuits allow water in but trap it against the body where it's warmed. The term reflects the garment's function of staying wet while keeping the wearer warm.
Wetsuits work on a counterintuitive principle - they're designed to get wet! The thin layer of water trapped between the suit and your skin is warmed by your body heat, creating an insulating layer that keeps you comfortable in cold water.
Wetsuits were designed for male bodies; women's wetsuits are recent additions (1990s+) and often inadequately insulated or poorly fitted, reflecting male-default engineering. Women surfers, divers, and athletes had to advocate for functional design.
Specify gender-specific fit and thermal properties; don't assume wetsuits work equally for all bodies.
["thermal suits","body-fitted water gear"]
Women water athletes pioneered advocacy for properly designed wetsuits and thermal protection; credit their innovation in demanding functional gear.
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