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
-46%
Icone
Womens Oversized single-button piqué Blazer Jacket Black
$69.95
$129.00
Simons
-16%
Herno
Stretch Cotton T Shirt Black
$256.00
$305.00
Balardi
-65%
Saulina Milano
Antonia Single Breasted Jacket Black
$377.00
$1,075.00
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
Alo Yoga
| Scrunch Socks in White, Size: Medium/Large
$24.00
Alo Yoga
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.
-30%
See By Chloé
See By Chloé Glyn leather platform espadrille sandals Silver
$319.00
$455.00
Mytheresa
Max Mara
Jour cotton chambray wide-leg pants Blue
$495.00
Mytheresa
-20%
Polo Ralph Lauren
Cotton-blend baseball cap Beige
$108.00
$135.00
Mytheresa
Thom Browne
Leather cardholder Black
$305.00
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
Paloma Wool
Womens Larry romper White
$225.00
Simons
-71%
Rossopuro
Jumpsuits Red
$202.00
$705.00
Yoox
-82%
Vanessa Scott
Jumpsuits Rose
$39.00
$218.00
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.
-50%
DKNY
55mm Sava buckle-detail combat boots - women - Leather - 6.5 - Black
$348.00
$693.00
FARFETCH
-40%
Moon Boot
Ltrack suede-trimmed combat boots Beige
$219.00
$365.00
Mytheresa
-31%
Cafènoir
Ankle boots Black
$156.00
$225.00
Yoox
-60%
Docksteps
Ankle boots Beige
$61.00
$152.00
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.
Paloma Wool
Womens Larry romper White
$225.00
Simons
-71%
Rossopuro
Jumpsuits Red
$202.00
$705.00
Yoox
-82%
Vanessa Scott
Jumpsuits Rose
$39.00
$218.00
Yoox
-64%
Kaos
Jumpsuits White
$86.00
$239.00
Yoox
-17%
Atu Body Couture
Tiger-print organza-bow catsuit - women - Polyester - S - Pink
$553.00
$669.00
FARFETCH
-34%
Atu Body Couture
tie-fastening satin-finish catsuit - women - Polyester - S - Red
$409.00
$623.00
FARFETCH
-50%
Wolford
Sweet Dots polka-dot sheer catsuit Black
$278.00
$555.00
Mytheresa
-30%
Wolford
Sheer mesh catsuit Black
$371.00
$530.00
Mytheresa
-30%
Wolford
Slash cutout strapless jersey catsuit Black
$273.00
$390.00
Mytheresa
Norba
Zip-up catsuit Black
$200.00
Mytheresa
Norba
Open-back catsuit Black
$180.00
Mytheresa
-30%
Wolford
x Etro Tattoo paisley catsuit Brown
$406.00
$580.00
Mytheresa
-30%
Melissa Odabash
Border cotton-blend playsuit Blue
$277.00
$395.00
Mytheresa
Paloma Wool
Womens Larry romper White
$225.00
Simons
Faithfull The Brand
Riatto checked cotton romper Red
$350.00
Mytheresa
-50%
Isabel Marant
Jumpsuits White
$272.00
$543.00
Yoox
Faithfull The Brand
Riatto checked cotton romper Blue
$350.00
Mytheresa
-71%
Rossopuro
Jumpsuits Red
$202.00
$705.00
Yoox
Melissa Odabash
Naomi cotton-blend terry romper Blue
$300.00
Mytheresa
-82%
Vanessa Scott
Jumpsuits Rose
$39.00
$218.00
Yoox
-20%
Self Portrait
Denim romper Blue
$472.00
$590.00
Mytheresa
-64%
Kaos
Jumpsuits White
$86.00
$239.00
Yoox
Vix
x Rosie Huntington-Whitely Rosie romper Black
$440.00
Mytheresa
-60%
Juicy Couture
Playsuits Black
$49.00
$123.00
Yoox
