A jumpsuit is a piece of clothing which was originally designed as a functional one-piece garment for parachuters and skydivers. The original skydivers’ jumpsuits were designed to insulate the body from the cold of high altitudes and to minimize the risk of covering important handles and grips. Even though they were generally regarded as garments of convenience, today they have found a new meaning in popular culture.

 

Recently, the utilitarian jumpsuit has hit the runway in new shapes, styles and fabrics and has become a common theme during fashion shows from all over the world.

 

 

Modern jumpsuits

Jumpsuits have many advantages: they are easy to put on; they are easy to launder and cover your body in way that it is protected from the cold. This recommends them as a very practical item.

One of the biggest issues with the original jumpsuits though was that it was necessary to remove it entirely for bathroom use. Some modern jumpsuits have this issue today too, but many designers have found ways to get by this issue and make jumpsuits just as practical as any shirt-pants outfit.

The great thing about jumpsuits these days is that they come in so many colors, fabrics and styles that it is hard not to find one that fits your taste, needs and personality. Some jumpsuits cover your entire body and are very warm, others allow you to show more skin and are very light and breathable. Moreover, they come in many colors, patterns and textures, as well as in mixes of colors and patterns, which makes them true go-to pieces.

The reason why trendy jumpsuits are so great is that they offer a simple, go-to look: you don’t need to consider how you should match a shirt with a pair of pants or whether to go for a dress shirt or a polo shirt. A jumpsuit is an easy solution to a casual outfit. Which brings us to our next point….

 

 

When and how to wear a jumpsuit

The main problem concerning jumpsuits is that they are hard to match with a context. There is no immediate connection that is made when you are thinking of a jumpsuit.

Jumpsuits are actually casual pieces, and should be enjoyed in casual contexts. For example, you can wear a jumpsuit when you go out to have brunch, you can wear it when you go to a show, to a museum or an exhibition and so on.

In short, whenever there is a casual context, you can wear a jumpsuit. We would not recommend wearing one when you are going hiking or mountain climbing though, as sometimes when you are outdoors, you need to change your clothes, put others one and make various sartorial changes. A jumpsuit would be quite an obstacle in such a situation.

 

When it comes to the “how” of jumpsuits, there are a lot of good news. The flexible and quite indefinite character of jumpsuits makes them go with almost anything: you can wear a jumpsuit with sneakers, with slip-on shoes or any other kind of casual shoe. You can even wear them with sandals. Moreover, you can add a jacket or a scarf and, if it is needed, you can also wear a shirt underneath.

 

Jumpsuits can be accessorized in many ways: with hats, watches, lapel pins, bracelets and everything in between. Just don’t wear one with a tie, a bow tie or a cummerbund.

 

The truth is that it all depends on the jumpsuit: there are very loose, relaxed jumpsuits out there (if you get one of these, always keep in mind that it still needs to fit you around the shoulders, arms, waist, etc.) which can be accessorized more casually and there are some dressy jumpsuits which go with more formal accessories.

 

 

The bottom line is that you should treat your jumpsuit just like any other piece. This way, you are in for a new sartorial experience, which you might enjoy very much.

 

From Elvis Presley and Mick Jagger to David Bowie and Paul Newman, many male style icons have rocked jumpsuits and showed that you can wear a one-piece garment and work it to your best advantage. Why don’t you do that too?

 

Fraquoh and Franchomme

 

 

 

 

 

P.S. We want to hear from you! Do you wear jumpsuits? What type? In what type of context do you wear them?  Share your feedback, questions or thoughts in the comments below! For more articles on style, fashion tips and cultural insights, you can subscribe to Attire Club via e-mail or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!