Image via Anthropologie Tapered Utility Jumpsuit
Let’s jump right into it. Jumpsuits were created in the late 1910s for parachuters to wear. While they started as functional garments, they quickly gained a fashion following, mostly due to their slim fit. Fast-forward to the 1930s, these little numbers were being made exclusively for wealthy women by prominent fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli. By the next decade, designer Vera Maxwell was creating a sportier version of Schiaparelli’s jumpsuits; while this made jumpsuits more readily available, they were still considered very trendy.
During the 1950s, a slew of designers began incorporating jumpsuits into their evening lines. However, it wasn’t until the 1960s that jumpsuits made appearances in both the daytime and evening collections. The late 1960s into the 1970s was a sweet spot for jumpsuit popularity, with both women and men wearing them – celebrities like Cher and Elvis helped lead the fashion trend by making jumpsuits a huge part of their stage personas!
Today, we’re seeing the return of jumpsuits for both daytime and nighttime wear. If you’re looking to add one to your wardrobe, consider the following:
Pros of Wearing a Jumpsuit
- It’s a whole outfit already – there’s no worrying about putting a top and bottom together.
- No-mess top: You never have to think about if your shirt should be tucked in or out or if it’s too long or short.
- Jumpsuits give off both retro and modern vibes.
- Many jumpsuits are a lot like dresses. You can dress them up or down, but you always look at least a little dressy. Pieces like this are great for when you aren’t sure what to wear or how fancy you should go.
- They set you apart! Anyone who wears a jumpsuit looks super-sleek and instantly cool.
Cons of Wearing a Jumpsuit
- The waist can be a little tricky; it has to fit just right or be adjustable in some way for it to properly sit on any body type. If you have a longer torso, you’ll need to drop the waistline down to your natural line to avoid it cutting you in half in a weird spot.
- Jumpsuits are not the most practical bathroom attire. You will likely have to undress down to your skivvies to use the bathroom.
Our Picks
This cotton Avec Les Filles Tapered Utility Jumpsuit ($158, shop here) features front and side flap pockets and a removable belt, and it zips up the back. For the summertime, less is more: Pair with your favorite slip-on sandals and vintage sunnies. This piece can easily transition into fall by adding some layers and closed-toe shoes.
If you like the nautical look, this wide-legged Free People Devon Jumpsuit ($98, shop here), with its square neck, back tie detail, and darting on smocked fabric, is for you. We love the idea of throwing on a white cap-sleeve tee underneath and pairing it with some colorful pointed-toe slip-ons.
This Old Navy Smocked Jersey Cami Jumpsuit ($39.99, shop here) conveniently features adjustable spaghetti straps, a smocked bodice, an elastic waist, and pockets. This is another perfect piece for summer when worn with a platform mule, but it can easily transition into cooler temperatures by adding a distressed denim jacket and flats.