Much like waiting patiently for more than three minutes for a train or remaining sober on Thursdays, the strapless dress has never sat comfortably with Londoners. As a species we tend to shy away from the glossy, über-groomed look a dress with no straps creates, finding comfort and solace in our boyfriend jeans. But that’s changing. And for that we have the jumpsuit to thank.
While the strapless dress remains an untouchable option for those who shy away from in-your-face glamour, a strapless jumpsuit is the thing even the most reluctant dressing-uppers will be clinging to this summer. Striking a perfect balance between elegance and effortlessness, the joy of this style is that you can bare your shoulders without looking as if you’ve taken a wrong turn en route to the latest TOWIE wedding. Easy to wear and ridiculously comfortable — provided you choose a style and size that fits perfectly — this is the summer wedding outfit of which dreams are made of. In essence it’s a wardrobe staple that could prove as essential to your life as a Breton top or a navy cashmere sweater.
My appreciation of this look began — like so many before them — with Phoebe Philo. Attending the British Fashion Awards back in 2010, the Céline designer ensured the strapless jumpsuit poll position on the wish lists of no-nonsense dressers everywhere by showcasing a stunning version from her own label.
Strapless jumpsuits - in pictures
Fast forward to 2014 and, at last, this little beauty has made its way into our shops as more and more designers wake up to its charms. Whistles, not surprisingly, leads the way when it comes to shopping for this style on the high street thanks to the Lovebird jumpsuit, which is available in black and baby pink — wear it with an oversized cream coat or pool slides — while Topshop and Maje both have lovely options this summer.
When seeking out the strapless jumpsuit to save your life (or at least make it just a little bit better) be sure to opt for a style that is as straightforward as possible. The success of this look is entirely dependent on effortlessness: opt for a jumpsuit that’s trimmed with beads or is weirdly cut and you’ll have missed the point entirely. It’s also imperative that you opt for a version with wide or peg-shaped trousers.
Mulberry’s tomato-red cropped, stretched-cotton jumpsuit is a must-have for those seeking out an achingly cool outfit for a stylish summer affair — I’m thinking negronis on a rooftop here — while Emilia Wickstead’s slouchy satin strapless jumpsuit is a good option for a fancy-pants day at the races look.
