Jumpsuit junction

[1]

Are you serious!” I exclaimed when Lucy, the sales girl in a leading high street store, told me that “the top selling trend today is jumpsuits”. At first I thought that she is a smart saleswoman who is trying to convince me to buy an item which no one else is touching. Later as I researched this trend, I was convinced she is right.

Really? Really! The jumpsuit, that one-piece baggy looking thing with pockets, which Neil Armstrong had worn on the spacecraft to the moon, is a top style statement on the catwalk. Who would have thought.
Jumpsuits or rompers were first visible on the catwalk in 2009 when Etro, Givenchy and Lanvin created it. No one paid attention. However, a style becomes a trend only when the high street catches on to it successfully.
And now, on the high street it is everywhere. Zara. Topshop. Even Marks and Spencer has it. When did this happen? And why? Were women so stressed for time that they found it difficult to match a top to a bottom. That they decided that it all needs to be stitched up together in one piece in one colour. Were we women trying to come up with our own version of combat clothing to fight the challenges of daily life?
The one piece that really made me jump out of my skin was the one in Morgan, it is a full leather jumpsuit in black meant to be snug fitted and ‘take the shape of the body’. On first glance it looks like a car mechanics attire gone wrong. On close scrutiny it looks like an outfit made for aliens from outer space.
There are all sorts out there. There are jumpsuits with ruffles. One-shoulder jumpsuits. Baggy jumpsuits. Skin tight unitards.
A random and informal survey was conducted by me amongst men showing them pictures of women in jumpsuits. There was a unanimous response. This dress is a sure shot ‘libido killer’. It brings about the image of a woman going to work at a construction site and has no appeal whatsoever. It will doom a woman to spinster-hood forever.
Can anyone make a jumpsuit look sexy? Apparently Rihanna can. She wore a green number with a plunging neckline (to her belly button) and fashionistas turned green with envy.
For me personally, it is still something you might consider wearing on a trip to Mars.
The writer owns a fashion brand based in Europe. She can be reached on info@amishi.eu [2]