How to Style a Black Jumpsuit

It's not nearly as intimidating as it seems. Starring a Rolls Royce we recently added to the family and me. Ever since I read this Man Repeller article about looking for a boiler suit I was intrigued. The normal one piece offerings I was exposed to were a combination of tank tops and shorts which I did not want. But the marriage of a button down and pants into a jumpsuit? That was something I could get behind.

I didn't start hunting right away because I wasn't sure how this would look on me, if it would look like me or how to style it. There's also the fit issue. When you aren't identical sizes on the top and bottom wearing one piece in one size seems like a nightmare. Will it be too tight here? Will it be way too loose and baggy here? Yikes.

I used to work retail in the junior's department and we always had a handful of rompers or one pieces, never anything as cool as a jumpsuit, almost no one would venture out to buy. When they were marked down at the end of the season people would warily take the plunge. More often then not I would find various sizes discarded on the floors of the fitting rooms. Rejected. Me and my coworkers would delight in making fun of the clothes we deemed atrocious. This usually included the rompers. I know they think teenage girls only like trendy stuff but most people would like clothes to fit and look flattering.

Then I read this Cup of Jo article about a week of outfits and I saw it. The jumpsuit of my dreams in black. Swoon. Basically the more fashionable equivalent of the car mechanic jumpsuit. I googled the brand, Nico Nico, scouring their website and the internet. The black jumpsuit of my dreams was nowhere to be found. Initially, I was disappointed.

But this was the end of summer. Fall would arrive soon enough and with it more clothes and options. Hopefully my jumpsuit would reappear. Another reason I was interested in this jumpsuit was Nico Nico aligned with the values I consider important for a clothing brand like sustainability. Browsing online recently I saw their fall collection had launched days earlier. Like a kid on Christmas morning I rushed to their women's section hoping the jumpsuit I wanted was restocked. It was! I ordered it and it arrived last week. I am very happy, comfortable and trying not to wear it every day.

Jumpsuits, at least one similar to mine, are so versatile and easy to style in a multitude of ways. To encourage others to take the jumpsuit plunge or help those in a style rut here are 3 ways to style a black jumpsuit.

Nico Nico Jumpsuit + Vintage belt + INC X Anna Sui mules

 All buttoned up with nowhere to go.

Buttoned up and classic: Basically one of the easiest ways to wear a black jumpsuit is by itself. Button all the way to the top and look intriguing without showing an inch of collar bone. Mules and a red belt say you are ready for everyone to be jealous of your outfit.

Nico Nico Jumpsuit + Vintage belt + Dolce Vita slides

Just taking strolls around the Rolls.

Monochrome is your friend: Add accessories thoughtfully so the jumpsuit doesn't get lost among the shiny things. It is hard to compete with the shiny car behind me. Slides are one of many shoes that will compliment this black jumpsuit and get some compliments tossed at you.

Nico Nico Jumpsuit + Striped shirt + J Crew red earrings + Everlane slides

That hood ornament though...

Add stripes and color: Using black as a blank canvas is great for adding dashes of color without being overwhelmed. It is tempting for me to not add color because I enjoy wearing black on it's own. Nevertheless I popped on some red tassel earrings and a striped shirt underneath.

Inquiring minds want to know: 

Is that a real Rolls Royce?

Yes.

How can you afford that? Are you a secret millionaire?

This car was gently used and in great vintage condition. We are not secret millionaires, just smart shoppers.