Is it good to romp?

The ultimate fashion re-tread item for me is the ‘romper’, ‘one-piece’ or ‘body’ as we call them in the UK.  When we were 10, we used to wear these things as underwear or as tops with skirts so that you don’t have that problem of constantly pulling your top down.  Fashionologie’s latest post about the return of the ‘one-piece’ points out the pros and cons of this comeback item, and I too am having trouble grappling with this ‘trend’ (I’m not entirely sure how far this will disseminate amongst the masses…I’m guessing not very!).  Only last week, did I enter the jumpsuit sphere so this week, I upgraded the difficulty level and tried out the two short short one-pieces I have.  One is an orange cotton romper tube thing that I got on sale in Selfridges (lord knows what I was thinking!) and the other is an 80’s black lycra leotard that I randomly found in my mother’s drawers.  (Mum’s the word these days…..). 

I think it takes a lot of ‘Don’t give a f***’ attitude to rock this look and without sounding gushy, LA scenester chicks like Cory Kennedy (this girl seems to be scarily becoming an internet cult figure!) would pull off this look fine (plus the fact that she’s petite and uber skinny helps as well!).  And I hate to say this, but I do think this garment is not for the ungainly or even slightly plump.  I’m slim but not skinny and its one thing prancing around in my house in a leotard or romper but walking out into the street is QUITE another!  This is something that takes a LOT of body confidence, of which I’m lacking so suffice to say, this will be my last foray into the one piece.  I tried, I failed, I admit defeat! 

Anyone out there who has tried and conquered the one-piece? 

10 comments

  1. me! I tried and conquered a year ago and I totally love it. I’ve got 3 jumpsuit (short one) 2 one-piece (the american apparel one)and I planed to buy a very sexy 70’s look yellow jumpsuit (trousers one)….!

  2. i actually really like the 2nd look. i can’t imagine anyone really wearing it out of the house (so that pretty much nulls its usefullness) but i like how you put it together.

  3. I agree with everyone else on here, the second one looks great on you. The belt does a great job of breaking the whole “onepieceness” of it. But then you might say why not just wear short shorts and be done with it.

  5. i’ve sold quite a few. i love them! long and short versions. and if the cut is right they sell. even if they are fuschia parachute fabric covered in zippers. my favourites lately were a pink and white thick striped drawstring shorts pair, and one in dusty blue sheer fabric shot with silver threads with puff sleeves, bubble shorts (!) and clover leaf shaped silver buttons!!!! i do believe only the most stylish ladies dare to tread in these fashions grounds.

  7. I think I will start looking for looser versions like SwanDiamond’s descriptions – do you have any coming up for sale???

  9. I wore a bright blue short romper to V and Reading this year- and felt too too fabulous! They’re much more versatile than they seem. But in the festival toilets it was a little strange to have to strip down to your underwear, having to untie the straps and pull it down to your ankles!

  10. I remember there was a pic of Chloe Sevigny in a vintage red romper and she paired them with some high mile Christian Louboutain espandrilles. She looked great! I think that if you have are a young ingenue with a nice figure, some personal pizzaz style and live in a big big city you can get away with it. I meet all the above requierements and when I road-tested this look while vacationing in Charleston, South Carolina for the summer; people were looking at me like I was crazy. However I really don’t care what they think they most people wear the tired tried-and-true basics.

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