What is a Hadatai?
Hadatai (ハダタイ) is a type of bodysuit worn by kigs, layered above any shapewear or padding used but underneath the mask and any clothes. The name comes from hada (skin) + tai (abbreviation of taitsu, tights). Literally "skin tights", figuratively "skin suit".
A hadatai is the other half of the look next to the kigurumi mask. Padding and shapewear sit underneath, see Padding Theory.
Hadatai vs zentai
Zentai (ゼンタイ) is a shortening of zenshin tights (full-body tights). It is a generic bodysuit category, not a kigurumi-specific product. People sometimes use the words interchangeably, this wiki does not.
Both are stretch bodysuits, often a blend of spandex and nylon. Beyond that they diverge quickly:
| Hadatai | Zentai | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Coordinates with a Kigurumi Mask and smooths padding or shapewear | General costume, full-body covering, or cosplay base layer |
| Finish | Matte to reduce shine in photos | Usually semi-shiny or shiny fabrics |
| Color | Commonly offered in Kigurumi Mask skin tones, with custom colors from some makers | Available in many vivid colors, skin-tone listings usually closer to an orangey-warm tone rather than light pink "kig flesh" |
| Coverage | Usually head-to-toe with a face opening under the mask | Varies from neck-high to fully enclosed designs |
| Hands and feet | Well defined fingers and toes with close-fitting seams | Generic suits may use simpler hand and foot patterns, feet sometimes sock-like |
| Fit | Usually made to measure per user, over the padding that will be worn | Generic sizing, some bespoke high end zentai makers do offer custom sizing |
| Options | May include shaped chest panels, breast-form pockets, or access zippers | Usually just basic entry zipper |
| Accessibility | More expensive, with varying wait times for production | "Spirit Halloween" levels of availability, cost, and quality. |
In general a zentai is best left for experimenting with bodysuits before diving fully into kig and getting a mask + hadatai. They are however probably not what you want your kigurumi to be seen in, no one wants to look like a cheap halloween costume purely because the skin tone horribly mismatches the mask.
Color undertones
"Flesh tone" on a product page does not mean it will match a kigurumi mask. Zentai "skin" colors tend to run warmer and more beige:
Typical kig masks and hadatai use pinker flesh. Examples:
MWF hadatai uses Pantone® 7513 U:
Kig.land claims Pantone® 7520 U:
Or alternatively a popular Ayame color, Pantone® 2015U and Pantone® 698U for instance:
These are examples only as we cannot quite display exact Pantone colors on the web, and these colors can look different depending on your display's calibration. Default kigurumi mask flesh tones usually fall somewhere in-between those four above shades.
Colors also fade with washing and wear. See our hadatai care guide to keep yours looking its best.
Why Wear a Hadatai?
Some of the common reasons for wearing a hadatai are:
- To smooth out any shapewear or padding
- Covering skin imperfections to get a very anime-like perfect skin tone
- Matching skin tone to the mask
- For those who have body hair or tattoos to avoid their kig being defined by those features
- As part of the "full body costumed experience" or similar mascot-esque notions
Generally a hadatai should fit like a second skin and feel like nothing at all is there.
At risk of sounding pretentious there are often perceived notions in kig communities that those who see a hadatai as something completely optional are just trying to do the bare minimum. Its somewhat like having just a fursuit head without any other parts to go with, poodling as the furry community would say. To a similar notion to achieve the unrealistic anime aesthetic, many feel it is impossible without a hadatai, and often times padding/shapewear in addition.
While a hadatai is not absolutely required, many see it as something thats hard to go without. That said do not buy one simply because someone told you to, do your own research and make a decision that is right for you. Additionally, a bad zentai can be far worse than no hadatai at all, so please don't feel pressured to just buy "something" because its the norm.
Hadatai Alternatives
Some kigurumi alternatively opt to use latex bodysuits instead of a hadatai, often in flesh colored variations still matching the mask. This adds difficulty due to the nature of donning latex, however some find the skin-like sensation appealing in it's own right.
A cheap zentai instead of a hadatai is talked about above. Wrong color tones, shiny finish, generic sizing, and sock-like feet usually make the whole kig look worse than going without. It is not recommended.
Ordering a hadatai
For a list of hadatai makers and general information on how to order a hadatai, see our buying hadatai page.
Hadatai are generally made to measure, when ordering the maker will provide you with a measurements guide and a form to fill out. Do consider various options as well for features such as:
- Male and Female located crotch zippers (for easier access in emergency bathroom breaks)
- Options for a "3D chest" (for a more accurate chest shape)
- Sewn in vest for breast forms
- Different face openings
- Various zipper types (discrete or "hidden" zippers, ring pull being the most common)
Especially for beginners its highly recommended to get the ring pull type zippers, as they are much easier to do up and down.
For face openings its highly recommended to get a standard "open face" opening. Some makers will offer more limited "eye holes" or "eye window" openings, sometimes with a separate mouth opening. These are generally less common, less comfortable, and just generally less practical with no real advantage while also costing more.
Sometimes makers will offer no face opening option, this is generally an advanced option and should only be considered if you really do want to have no visibility at all.
Measurements
Makers will generally provide a measurements guide and a form to fill out for all the various measurements they will need to make your hadatai. It's greatly advised to have someone help you measure to ensure everything is accurate. Some measures like shoulder width can be tricky to get solo. As to the saying "measure twice, cut once...", double check your measurements are all good before submitting, its better to be safe than sorry.
Hadatai Care
Velcro is a hadatai's sole worst enemy, and can damage the material if not handled with care.
While perhaps a bit odd, it's a good idea to lean backwards when doing up the zipper, this helps minimize the tension on the zipper and avoid pulling any teeth when zipping it up.
On a more minor note, you can help protect the hand seams by avoiding to stretch them when taking them off. Rather than holding the finger tips and pulling it off, just take your hand out, inverting the fabric as you do so. It does add a bit more work to then flip the hand back out, but it does help if you want to maximize longevity of the hadatai.
Depilling as well tends to be a good idea if you notice material pilling around the hands or other higher friction areas. Keeping them tamed helps you both look better, and avoid them building up bigger damaging more material.
For information on how to care for and wash your hadatai, see our cleaning a hadatai page.