The Playsuit: Friend Or Foe?
by Catherine Beaumont
Every once in a while you come across a trend that:
1. Does not make sense and
2. Never seems to go away.
Number two can be easily explained. Coined as "perma-trends" by fashion journalists, they are crazes that seemed unthinkable at the time, but that we could not imagine living without now. Notable perma-trends include leggings, Ugg boots, and skinny jeans. They also include things that still seem like as good an idea as they did back in the day: trench coats, ballet pumps, Breton stripes and anything high waisted.
It's hard sometimes to decide whether your next investment for the current season is going to be a wardrobe staple (think of your favourite leather jacket or body-con dress) or an "I-can't-believe-I-wore-that" scenario starring serious fashion offenders: tie-dye, flares, and just about anything we wore during our 90s childhood.
At the moment, trends that I – and a lot of people – can’t decide about include harem pants, yeti coats and that statement shoulder dress that made your mum exclaim, “Oh I had something just like that in the eighties!”
So now let me introduce to you all a point of style that has the usually one-minded fashionistas divided: playsuits. They have been around for a few years now, but remain seated on the fashion see-saw bobbing between high-fashion and unacceptably childish.
I fully admit to being a lover of playsuits, and I hope to be able to convert all of you to the playsuit way of thinking too…
If you are a playsuit virgin, you should know that choosing the right playsuit for you is is all about finding the right fit for your body shape. It took me until this year to find my perfect one. Before then, I had lived under the delusion that if I looked bad in one, I would look bad in all. But that’s like thinking that if you don’t suit one dress style, you should never buy a dress… and that is just silly!
My favourite playsuit – the one that converted me – is a fitted, cap-sleeve style, with a ditzy print, that suits a more curvy figure. However, there are playsuits to suit everybody’s style and shape. Thin strapped beach styles, for instance, look fantastic on the tall and slim. Flirty alternatives are the one-sleeved, floaty girls-night-out ones, and cute little strapless styles. There is a huge variety out there, so start looking for your perfect one!
The way to think of playsuits is as dresses – but just a little but edgier and a lot more fun! When wearing your favourite LBP (Little Black Playsuit) you will look ever so trendy, and more original than your friend in her LBD. It definitely earns you extra style-points.
If this doesn’t inspire you enough, then consider the technical aspects:
Playsuits are far more practical than dresses. In an extremely windy town (St Andrews), an item of clothing that does not blow up in the wind is a definite plus. You can pair your playsuit with tights, with heels, flats or boots and with blazers or cardigans. If you throw a jumper you get a very cute shorts effect. There is an amazing variety of prints, styles and colours and playsuits are perfect to layer up on cold days. A floral print makes a daily wear staple, a versatile black one can be styled up for nights out, and a casual jersey will keep you snug on those lazy Sundays. One of the most useful things I have found, is that instead of having to waste my morning trying to find a well co-ordinated top and bottom, playsuits are a whole outfit in one!
So what are you waiting for? When you are next out shopping, do give the playsuit a chance. You never know, it may just surprise you!
1. Does not make sense and
2. Never seems to go away.
Number two can be easily explained. Coined as "perma-trends" by fashion journalists, they are crazes that seemed unthinkable at the time, but that we could not imagine living without now. Notable perma-trends include leggings, Ugg boots, and skinny jeans. They also include things that still seem like as good an idea as they did back in the day: trench coats, ballet pumps, Breton stripes and anything high waisted.
It's hard sometimes to decide whether your next investment for the current season is going to be a wardrobe staple (think of your favourite leather jacket or body-con dress) or an "I-can't-believe-I-wore-that" scenario starring serious fashion offenders: tie-dye, flares, and just about anything we wore during our 90s childhood.
At the moment, trends that I – and a lot of people – can’t decide about include harem pants, yeti coats and that statement shoulder dress that made your mum exclaim, “Oh I had something just like that in the eighties!”
So now let me introduce to you all a point of style that has the usually one-minded fashionistas divided: playsuits. They have been around for a few years now, but remain seated on the fashion see-saw bobbing between high-fashion and unacceptably childish.
I fully admit to being a lover of playsuits, and I hope to be able to convert all of you to the playsuit way of thinking too…
If you are a playsuit virgin, you should know that choosing the right playsuit for you is is all about finding the right fit for your body shape. It took me until this year to find my perfect one. Before then, I had lived under the delusion that if I looked bad in one, I would look bad in all. But that’s like thinking that if you don’t suit one dress style, you should never buy a dress… and that is just silly!
My favourite playsuit – the one that converted me – is a fitted, cap-sleeve style, with a ditzy print, that suits a more curvy figure. However, there are playsuits to suit everybody’s style and shape. Thin strapped beach styles, for instance, look fantastic on the tall and slim. Flirty alternatives are the one-sleeved, floaty girls-night-out ones, and cute little strapless styles. There is a huge variety out there, so start looking for your perfect one!
The way to think of playsuits is as dresses – but just a little but edgier and a lot more fun! When wearing your favourite LBP (Little Black Playsuit) you will look ever so trendy, and more original than your friend in her LBD. It definitely earns you extra style-points.
If this doesn’t inspire you enough, then consider the technical aspects:
Playsuits are far more practical than dresses. In an extremely windy town (St Andrews), an item of clothing that does not blow up in the wind is a definite plus. You can pair your playsuit with tights, with heels, flats or boots and with blazers or cardigans. If you throw a jumper you get a very cute shorts effect. There is an amazing variety of prints, styles and colours and playsuits are perfect to layer up on cold days. A floral print makes a daily wear staple, a versatile black one can be styled up for nights out, and a casual jersey will keep you snug on those lazy Sundays. One of the most useful things I have found, is that instead of having to waste my morning trying to find a well co-ordinated top and bottom, playsuits are a whole outfit in one!
So what are you waiting for? When you are next out shopping, do give the playsuit a chance. You never know, it may just surprise you!