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.
Ganni
Rippled Jacquard Oversized Blazer Black
$85.00
Rue La La
Theory
Boxy Oversized Jacket Black
$149.99
Rue La La
-30%
Schutz
Eiza Glam Studded Suede Buckle Flats Black
$117.60
$168.00
Neiman Marcus
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.
Maeve
Chunky Open-Stitch Cardigan White
$158.00
Anthropologie
Reiss
Ariana Chunky Rib Linen-Blend Cardigan
$72.00
Rue La La
-50%
Mother
The Long Drop Cardigan
$212.50
$425.00
Neiman Marcus
Autumn Cashmere
Chunky Cardigan White
$58.99
Rue La La
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.
-67%
Cole Haan
Womens Go-To Emalia Slide Bow Sandals - Brown Size 10.5
$49.97
$150.00
Cole Haan
Cole Haan
Womens GrandPrø Topspin Sneakers - White Size 10.5
$160.00
Cole Haan
-29%
Nike
Womens Zoom Air Fire Shoes in Grey | DR7852-001 Gray
$88.97
$125.00
Nike
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%
Melissa Odabash
Border cotton-blend playsuit Blue
$220.00
$315.00
Mytheresa
-29%
Please
White Cotton Short Sleeves Button Down Romper Womens Dress
$158.00
$224.00
LUX LAIR
Elan
Collared Romper Blue
$39.99
Rue La La
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 - 37.5 - Black
$341.00
$679.00
FARFETCH
-60%
Docksteps
Ankle boots Beige
$61.00
$152.00
Yoox.com
Frye
Veronica Leather Combat Boot
$62.99
Rue La La
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%
Melissa Odabash
Border cotton-blend playsuit Blue
$220.00
$315.00
Mytheresa
-29%
Please
White Cotton Short Sleeves Button Down Romper Womens Dress
$158.00
$224.00
LUX LAIR
Elan
Collared Romper Blue
$39.99
Rue La La
Bloch
Adult Luna Knit Jumpsuit, Grey Marle Gray
$59.00
BLOCH
-15%
Atu Body Couture
Tiger-print organza-bow catsuit - women - Polyester - M - Pink
$571.00
$669.00
FARFETCH
-32%
Atu Body Couture
tie-fastening satin-finish catsuit - women - Polyester - L - Red
$426.00
$623.00
FARFETCH
Bebe
Printed Mesh Off Shoulder Catsuit Black
$99.99
Rue La La
Bebe
Printed Mesh Off Shoulder Catsuit
$99.99
Rue La La
-30%
Oséree
Oséree Ruffled cutout lace catsuit Black
$434.00
$620.00
Mytheresa
Area
Crystal Straps Black Catsuit Size XS
$267.38
HEWI
-30%
Wolford
Sheer mesh catsuit Black
$301.00
$430.00
Mytheresa
-30%
Velvet
Ruth cotton playsuit Green
$281.00
$402.00
Mytheresa
-29%
Please
White Cotton Short Sleeves Button Down Romper Womens Dress
$158.00
$224.00
LUX LAIR
-30%
Melissa Odabash
Border cotton-blend playsuit Blue
$220.00
$315.00
Mytheresa
Elan
Collared Romper Blue
$39.99
Rue La La
Bloch
Adult Luna Knit Jumpsuit, Grey Marle Gray
$59.00
BLOCH
Sweaty Betty
Explorer Romper Blue
$50.99
Rue La La
Zimmermann
Girls Daylight Floral Frill Playsuit, Size 1-12
$255.00
Bergdorf Goodman
Elan
Collared Romper White
$39.99
Rue La La
-82%
Vanessa Scott
Jumpsuits Rose
$39.00
$218.00
Yoox.com
Strut-This
Watson Romper Green
$30.99
Rue La La
-51%
Zimmermann
Acacia Pocket Playsuit Purple
$340.00
$695.00
Neiman Marcus
Susana Monaco
String V Romper White
$79.99
Rue La La
