‘After thinking the jumpsuit would never work for me I have come round to the idea, but how do I wear a smart design? I just don’t know where or when?’
Harriet, Hackney
It has taken me a while to accept the jumpsuit after initially feeling like it was more ill-fitting than ultra-stylish. That was until I found a Rag & Bone design that is tailored enough to be smart, slouchy enough to look sporty and I now realise, can be worn almost everywhere. There are more to jumpsuits than boilers and dungarees; they can be elegant, sophisticated and sassy from work to play. With the sales ongoing and the autumn collections coming in thick and fast, it is time to tap the trend and invest; here’s how Harriet:
The Working Jumpsuit
An office-ready jumpsuit makes your morning outfit selection easy, it’s all about finding the right design and styling appropriately for the office. In a neutral tone (think black, navy, charcoal and camel) and with a tailored edge, a jumpsuit is easily styled with smart wardrobe staples: a silk blouse, structured tee, fine knit or polo neck when the temperature drops. Ruling out any indecision with what to layer underneath, a two-tone jumpsuit like this elegant draped design from 3.1 Phillip Lim is an insta-outfit; all you need to consider is which heels work with what tote!
3.1 Phillip Lim Draped Jumpsuit | Farfetch
The Event Jumpsuit
The jumpsuit has become a red carpet hero because, as Emma Stone proved in sparkly Lanvin at this year’s Golden Globes, it is sexy, sleek and cooler than a gown. Often with a sharp silhouette, tailored cut and sheer/ lace/ mesh/embellished detail, the jumpsuit is to celebrity stylists what the spiralizer has been to wellness gurus: a surprising success that demands column inches. When shopping for an evening-ready jumpsuit look for a contemporary design with contrasting fabrics and finishes; Self Portrait’s design delivers both style and cool sophistication.
Self Portrait Embroidered Bodice Peplum Jumpsuit | Selfridges
Emma Stone wearing Lanvin at The Golden Globes 2015
The Minimal Jumpsuit
With nineties minimalism still being a trend buzzword, the jumpsuit has also been translated into clean lines and square cuts for a different evening approach. Think less is more in terms of details and design, with the focus being on the way the cut, the way fabric falls and the fit. If the above texture-blocking would give you a confidence crisis, then you are more T By Alexander Wang than ruffled Roksanda Illincic and tiered Stella McCartney; this design is achingly slick and pared down.
T By Alexander Wang Cutout Black Bandeau Jumpsuit | Very Exclusive
Do you love or loathe the jumpsuit story? Do you have any style or trend dilemmas for #AskAntonia? I would love to hear your styling ideas @AntoniaOBrien
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