How to style a unitard for every occasion
Many of us value comfort over everything else when getting dressed—and rightfully so!—but, let’s admit it, leggings rarely are the most stylish option. While the biker shorts trend is still going strong, there’s a new one-and-done option that blends the comfort of leggings with the stylishness of a dress: enter the unitard!
A unitard is a skin-tight, one-piece garment typically used by men and women for sports requiring overall body coverage without impeding flexibility. Now, it’s made its way into the fashion world as well. There are a plethora of terms used to describe this garment: in sports, a unitard has full legs and sometimes long sleeves, but the same item is usually described as a “catsuit” in other contexts. The unitard’s short-legged sister is referred to as a romper, a singlet, or a onesie. For ease, this article will use “catsuit” for the former and “romper” for the latter.
The key to styling a catsuit or a romper is to elevate them via layering and formal accessories. The goal is to add volume to a skin-tight garment while making it less sporty. Here are six ways to style rompers and catsuits for every occasion.
Catsuits are ideal for casual days out, lunch or coffee dates, running errands, and looking your best on your way to pilates. To add some edge and a bit of high/low tension, style your catsuit with an oversized blazer, a baseball cap, and your favourite sneakers. While the other pieces have a distinctly sporty vibe, the blazer grounds your look and gives it more interest. A monochrome outfit always looks refined, especially if you go for darker shades like black, grey or navy.
Alo
| First-Class Blazer Jacket in Black, Size: Medium
$248.00
Alo Yoga
-59%
Saulina Milano
Antonia Single Breasted Jacket Black
$435.00
$1,060.00
Balardi
-10%
Herno
Stretch Cotton T Shirt Black
$271.00
$301.00
Balardi
On the other hand, if your plan for the day is strictly chilling, lean into the cozy, relaxed vibe of the catsuit with equally cozy pieces. Perfect for going on a coffee run or lounging at home, a catsuit styled with a chunky cardigan, thick socks, and slipper-adjacent shoes—like UGGs, when the weather allows it—will become your chill-day-in staple look. Going full monochrome isn’t necessary here, but consider sticking with earthy tones like browns and off-whites for ultimate comfort.
Ganni
Womens Organic Wool Cardigan in Egret, Size Large
$445.00
END. Clothing
Éterne
Cotton-Modal Tank Catsuit - Black - XS - Moda Operandi
$225.00
Moda Operandi
Who said catsuits can’t be formal? They’re one of the most popular performance outfits amongst pop stars for a reason—raise your hand if you’re still thinking about Beyoncé’s glittery, custom Loewe catsuits from her 2023 Renaissance World Tour! Take it from Bey, a catsuit can definitely be styled for a night out. Simply pair it with thigh-high boots and an edgy leather trench. Finish off the look with your favourite chunky jewellery and a pair of sunglasses for the ultimate diva look.
Stone Island
Compass poplin shoulder bag Black
$430.00
Mytheresa
Polo Ralph Lauren
Cotton baseball cap Green
$105.00
Mytheresa
-20%
Versace
Tribute Medusa stud earrings Yellow
$460.00
$575.00
Mytheresa
Jacquemus
Le Bob Artichaut cotton bucket hat White
$250.00
Mytheresa
Everything we just said about catsuits is also 100% applicable to rompers: wear them for a day on the town, on an errand run, or a coffee date. Besides short legs, rompers often feature spaghetti or thin straps, making them perfect for the warmer months. For a chill day out, style your romper with your favourite sneakers, white crew socks, and a crewneck sweatshirt tied around your waist in case it gets colder. A designer bag is the perfect way to elevate this look.
Alo
| Throwback Socks in White/Black, Size: Medium
$34.00
Alo Yoga
-30%
The Upside
Leo Claudia playsuit Brown
$123.00
$176.00
Mytheresa
Twik
Womens Broderie anglaise poplin romper White
$130.00
Simons
-55%
A|X Armani Exchange
Jumpsuits Green
$94.00
$207.00
Yoox
Festival season is in full swing, and there’s nothing like a romper to stay ultra comfortable while partying all day. If you have any concerts or music festivals planned for the summer, take your cut-out romper out for a spin. Chunky combat boots are the ideal choice for braving through the mud on the way to the stage, and a practical sling bag or fanny pack are essential to keep all your belongings close.
-20%
DKNY
55mm Sava buckle-detail combat boots - women - Leather - 6.5 - Black
$664.00
$828.00
FARFETCH
-40%
Moon Boot
Ltrack suede-trimmed combat boots Beige
$219.00
$365.00
Mytheresa
-76%
Baldinini
Ankle boots Brown
$137.00
$565.00
Yoox
-75%
John Galliano
Ankle boots Black
$159.00
$645.00
Yoox
Wimbledon is over, but here you are, still listening to the Challengers soundtrack on repeat and thinking about Zendaya’s tennis-themed press tour looks. 2024 has seen the rise of tennis, or better Tenniscore, as an internet phenomenon. And nothing says Tenniscore like a romper. Take a page from Serena Williams’ iconic on-court style and go for a tennis-inspired romper to feel just like Tashi Duncan.
-30%
The Upside
Leo Claudia playsuit Brown
$123.00
$176.00
Mytheresa
Twik
Womens Broderie anglaise poplin romper White
$130.00
Simons
-55%
A|X Armani Exchange
Jumpsuits Green
$94.00
$207.00
Yoox
-70%
DiveDivine
Jumpsuits White
$123.00
$404.00
Yoox
-25%
Atu Body Couture
Tiger-print organza-bow catsuit - women - Polyester - S - Pink
$574.00
$764.00
FARFETCH
-40%
Norma Kamali
Stirrup jersey catsuit Black
$190.00
$317.00
Mytheresa
Norma Kamali
Floral lace catsuit Black
$260.00
Mytheresa
-30%
Wolford
Sheer mesh catsuit Black
$371.00
$530.00
Mytheresa
-30%
Norma Kamali
One-shoulder jersey stirrup catsuit Black
$190.00
$271.00
Mytheresa
-30%
Norma Kamali
Halterneck stirrup catsuit Black
$139.00
$199.00
Mytheresa
Wolford
Slash cutout strapless jersey catsuit Black
$390.00
Mytheresa
-20%
Norma Kamali
Open-back jersey catsuit Black
$244.00
$305.00
Mytheresa
-30%
Norma Kamali
Shane asymmetric catsuit Black
$195.00
$279.00
Mytheresa
-30%
Velvet
Ruth cotton playsuit Green
$362.00
$517.00
Mytheresa
-32%
Elisabetta Franchi
Jumpsuits Black
$355.00
$522.00
Yoox
-30%
Juliet Dunn
Colorblocked cotton poplin romper Red
$280.00
$400.00
Mytheresa
Twik
Womens Broderie anglaise poplin romper White
$130.00
Simons
-20%
Farm Rio
Printed belted cotton romper Blue
$316.00
$395.00
Mytheresa
-55%
A|X Armani Exchange
Jumpsuits Green
$94.00
$207.00
Yoox
-20%
Farm Rio
Delicate Forest floral linen romper Red
$316.00
$395.00
Mytheresa
-70%
DiveDivine
Jumpsuits White
$123.00
$404.00
Yoox
-30%
Farm Rio
Broderie anglaise cotton romper Red
$322.00
$460.00
Mytheresa
-82%
Emporio Armani
Jumpsuits Blue
$227.00
$1,248.00
Yoox
-20%
Self Portrait
Denim romper Blue
$472.00
$590.00
Mytheresa
-49%
Red Valentino
Jumpsuits Black
$473.00
$926.00
Yoox
