Get dressed in five minutes flat on New Year’s Eve and be the chicest gal in the crowd. That is the power and ease of jumpsuits and rompers — one-piece dressing that is having a huge moment right now.
“The jumpsuit is the modern little black dress and the perfect solution for holiday dressing,” says Gregg Andrews, Nordstrom fashion director. “And the nice thing about them is that while they’re easy to wear, you’re not walking into a room and seeing a lot of women in them.”
Sasha Charnin Morrison, US Weekly magazine’s fashion director, agrees. “The jumpsuit’s kind of newsy. … It’s an edgy look without being jarring,” she says.
“You can find them everywhere … from J.C. Penney to Prada,” Morrison says. And she adds, “This is a look that works for all body types from plus-sized to skinnies. … They’re flattering and give you the comfort of a trouser, shorts or a maxi dress.”
But let’s not forget this is New Year’s Eve after all, and you want to have some fun. Happily, celebrity stylist and fashion expert Robert Verdi says jumpsuits and rompers are all about the party. “You think of the jumpsuit and you think of Studio 54 and Bianca Jagger. That era is not dissimilar to New Year’s Eve. … It captures the excitement of a night out of the town. Just wearing one is exciting and out of the box.”
TIPS FOR SUITING UP
While there are no hard and fast jumpsuit and romper rules, we asked a couple of fashion experts for some guidelines on how to work ’em.
Says Nordstrom fashion director Gregg Andrews regarding rompers, “They have a younger feeling and are somewhat more fun and playful. I like them paired with a longer boyfriend blazer and pointed toe flats.” And, they’re versatile. “If you choose the right fabric you can wear it year-round.”
As for accessorizing the jumpsuit? “The beauty of the embellished ones is that you don’t really need any jewelry at all. If you choose a plain black one, it becomes a great background for a statement necklace or a great pair of earrings . . . but not both.”
Fashion expert and celebrity stylist Robert Verdi has a couple of rules.
First, he says, “Be careful of how thin the fabric is and how it clings,” or you risk looking “lumpy and bumpy.” And then there’s the twofer mandate. “Every jumpsuit should show off two things,” he says. One is the waist — the other could be long legs, well-toned arms. “You should show off your other best asset.”
