bodycon

American  

[bod-ee-kon] / ˈbɒd iˌkɒn /

Or body-con or body con

adjective

1. (of clothing) designed to be close-fitting, and often made with stretchy material, so as to display the shape of the body; skintight.

   Bodycon dresses restrict the length of one’s stride, making it difficult for wearers to walk with confidence in heels.

2. of or relating to clothing in this style.

   She experimented for a while with a more bodycon approach to dressing than her signature layering.

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noun

1. a style of clothing designed to be close-fitting, often made with stretchy material, so as to display the shape of the body.

   Why didn’t you tell me how big my butt looks in bodycon?

Etymology

Origin of bodycon

First recorded in 1990–95; from Japanese bodikon, itself a shortening of English body-conscious

Example Sentences

The music video opens with a bang as Gaga arrives at a rural prison, her platinum-blonde hair paired with a black-and-white striped bodycon dress featuring pointed sleeves sharp enough to take out an eye.

From Salon • Feb. 20, 2025

We asked industry expert Chris Grayer to price-up the cost of making a light brown, mini bodycon dress - with a rouched detail - which Boohoo retailed at £15.

From BBC • Nov. 6, 2023

Fashion is not known for its sense of moderation, or common sense, so it’s inevitable that the reaction against bodycon would be an overcorrection, which means sack dresses.

From The Guardian • May 22, 2019

They were followed by black, yellow and gold iconic house prints refreshed with star patterns on scarf dresses, skirts, tops and leggings layered to cover the models in head-to-toe bodycon pattern.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 3, 2018

Daniels showed up in a cutout black bodycon dress to accept the honor.

From Washington Post • May 24, 2018