The Black Jumpsuit

I have a confession to make. At my core, I am pretty darn lazy. Fashion is my passion but if it is fussy, or difficult or any type of high maintenance I just won’t do it. For me, there is nothing worse than wearing an outfit that requires adjustments or fixes throughout your wear. Laziness is likely why, I am more of a pants girl than dresses girl.  Honestly, I don’t want to be bothered with worrying if my bum is covered or if I am flashing my female bits about. So to me, there is no better outfit than a simple outfit and the easiest outfit available is a black jumpsuit.

Easy doesn’t have to mean frumpy. Too often, laziness makes for outfits of ill-fitted or out-dated items paired together in haphazard ways. It is just as easy to look fashionable and pulled together as not. Part of my goal in starting StyleDahlia was to help women find confidence is wearing items that work well for them and are easy to style multiple ways. The other part was to pay for my fashion habit but that is another story altogether.

I believe fashion doesn’t have to be hard. Looking good leads to feeling good. So even if I am knocked down tired, I still don’t want to look it. Enter the magic of the black jumpsuit! Black is my go to when I am out of fashion inspiration. Black tee + jeans + cute shoes = simple outfit.  With a black jumpsuit, the equation simplifies down to maximum efficiency and minimal effort and a black jumpsuit can work for any and all occasion from your morning walk to wedding guest.

Disclaimer: this post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from one of them I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you, which allows me to keep this blog up and running. 

Casual Black Jumpsuit

There really isn’t a situation that a black jumpsuit isn’t appropriate. Well, I can think of one. Recently, on Oprah Magazine Instagram, they posted a picture of Oprah in her Las Lunas jumpsuit on a plane. The comments were all over the place but my first thought was, Hell no! My next thought was, well maybe if I am on Oprah’s private plane and then quickly back to hell no!  A small airplane bathroom is not the place I want to be struggling to get my clothes off to go to the bathroom. But in every other situation, a black jumpsuit is the perfect solution to any outfit dilemma.

I picked up this Athleta jumpsuit a few years ago. It is made with their recycled featherweight stretch which is light as air. This jumpsuit is great for hiking, running errands and even a yoga class. You can easily add a denim jacket for a lunch with friends. I am wearing with sneakers because you know me, I love my sneakers all year round. But, this outfit would also look great with your favorite sandals. Athleta continues to make updates to this romper. The Hillside Romper is a great modern update to my jumpsuit.

 

Madewell Jumpsuits

A linen jumpsuit is perfect for spring, summer and what we affectionately refer to as “real summer” here is San Diego which is the months of September, October.   My jumpsuit is from Madewell (I am wearing a size 6) and I bought it for my daughter’s 6th grade graduation. She is starting her Jr. year of high school. The cut is classic and easy to wear to shopping or a graduation. I have almost purchased this Whistles Jumpsuit from Bloomingdale’s at least three times recently but stopped myself because I remembered my Madewell jumpsuit which is so similar. The Whistles jumpsuit has the cutest modern raglan sleeves and is 100% linen and machine washable. How great is that? Now, I see from the picture, it may be time to retire this jumpsuit because of the wear at the knee. So maybe the Whistles jumpsuit will soon be mine.

I like to pick up classic jumpsuits when they are on sale. I have no idea how long ago I purchased the lace jumpsuit from Madewell. It has been several years but I regularly reach for this jumpsuit for special occasions both big and small. I would have chosen this jumpsuit for the presidential fundraiser mentioned below but the dress code was business casual which to me means no spaghetti straps. I have worn this jumpsuit so many times the cost per wear CPW is down to pennies. The cut is a classic and will be in style for years to come.

Jumpsuit Buying

I used to think that jumpsuits would never work for me because I have a short torso and long legs. Over the years, designers have cut clothes for many different bodies. (hallelujah!) The key to finding the right jumpsuit for your body is trying several different brands and sizes on. Even within a brand such as Madewell, one jumpsuit can be cut for a long torso and one cut shorter. If I really like a style, I will try ever one on in my size, looking for the best cut for me. I do this with jeans too. Clothing factories often cut fabric in bulk for patterns, meaning there can be a small variances in the actual size of the garment within any given size.

I recently purchased a Citizen of Humanity Nova Utility Jumpsuit in both medium and large and a total of about 4 different pieces to find the exact right fit. The medium had a strangely long torso and the larges were overall too large so unfortunately, they all went back. Another way to achieve proper fit is tailoring but consider the expense in the overall cost of the jumpsuit. Things such as shortening straps or hemming the length are not too pricey but adjusting arm length or taking in could end up being cost prohibitive.

Fit Considerations

Just a quick note on fit. Right now, all types of jumpsuits are popular including oversized boiler suits to fitted evening out styles. Fit preferences are subjective but one thing to avoid is a sagging bum. If the crotch is too low, you are in danger of looking like a toddler with a full diaper. Conversely you don’t want the rise to be too short causing the dreaded wedgie. Whenever you try on an outfit make sure to sit down to see how it feels and whether or not you are comfortable.

Another thing to consider when buying a jumpsuit is, the care instructions. For everyday, casual jumpsuits I prefer machine or hand wash. I try and avoid garments that require dry cleaning unless they are for special occasions. The cost to dry clean a jumpsuit regularly can be expensive.

 

Not Too Casual/ Not Too Dressy – Just Right

Last month, I had an opportunity to go to a fundraiser for a presidential candidate hosted by several celebrities. It was a casual affair but let’s be honest, you want to look good. I immediately thought of a black jumpsuit. So I went in search of the perfect one and in typical me fashion, I ended up with two.

I purchased this Bionda Plisse Jumpsuit from Anthropologie. Though I ended up wearing the jumpsuit below, I decided I definitely needed this one for my wardrobe. It is so effortlessly cool. The fabric is textured so wrinkles don’t show. The waist is smocked which I am generally not a huge fan of, but because the fabric is light-weight, it works and is super flattering. The smocking creates a waist on me, when I really don’t have one. So it will look amazing on you ladies with an hourglass figure. The fabric is Viscose with a rayon lining so there is no chance of transparency. The fabric is so light you can wear this on the hottest of days and still remain cool. I have now worn this jumpsuit more than most of my other recent purchases. It comes in turquoise which is really a lovely teal and the inseam is long, at 28″.

 

Jumpsuit For Evening

A black jumpsuit is perfect for an evening out on the town, be it a date with your significant other or meeting the next President of the United States. I chose the Club Monaco Symone Jumpsuit which just happens to be on sale for $229 right now. Yeah! I added some hot pick sandals for a little bit of wow! This jumpsuit has a nice structured feel. It is made of Acetate and Polyester which can be warm. However, I wore this goody in Beverly Hills at 4 p.m. (Not in direct sun. Thank god!) and was just right.

This jumpsuit is all about leaving them with a lasting impression.The back has a low scoop and the neck ties at back. I prefer an easy knot but if you like a bow the fabric is structured enough to achieve it. The jumpsuit has slit pockets that lay beautifully and the inseam is 25″ which is pretty cropped on me. I am wearing a size 8.

Yes, my closet is full of black jumpsuits but for good reason. They are the perfect lazy fashion girl solution. A good LBD is a fashion staple but being “little” can mean unnecessary fussing. A jumpsuit is a quick and easy outfit which looks amazing chic. By just adding different accessories a black jumpsuit can take you from the beach to the board room and anywhere in between. Below are my picks for the best black jumpsuits currently on the market.

Even a pants girl sometimes needs to wear a dress.  If you are interested in the best LBD for Every Body click here. Follow me on Instagram for my everyday outfits or on Pinterest for my fashion inspiration. Happy Shopping Dahlias.