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.
Off-white
Logo-Waistband Stretch Technical Skirt - Black
$320.30
Italist
Alo
| First-Class Blazer Jacket in Black, Size: Medium
$248.00
Alo Yoga
Stella McCartney
Flap-Pocket Cargo Cargo Pants - Black
$362.01
Italist
Max Mara
Studio Trousers - Black
$318.67
Italist
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
Lawson American Flag Cardigan Brown
$158.00
Anthropologie
Saachi
Cardigan
$99.99
Rue La La
Pilcro
Textured Cardigan White
$128.00
Anthropologie
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.
Moncler
Moncler Logo Cotton T-shirt, Men, Black, Size: 3xl
$480.00
Moncler
Dr. Martens
Boot - Black
$270.86
Italist
Marc Jacobs
Tote Bag - Gray
$467.90
Italist
Marc Jacobs
Tote Bag - Brown
$373.55
Italist
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
-38%
Avec Les Filles
Drop-Waist Romper White
$79.95
$128.00
Anthropologie
Magic Suit By Miraclesuit
Solid Piper Romper Coverup Blue
$180.00
Neiman Marcus
Sweaty Betty
Explorer Romper Blue
$50.99
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 - 6.5 - Black
$339.00
$676.00
FARFETCH
Taos
Crave Boot in Tan at Nordstrom, Size 38 Brown
$250.00
Nordstrom
-48%
Bernardo
North Leather Hiker Boots Brown
$208.95
$398.00
Neiman Marcus
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.
-38%
Avec Les Filles
Drop-Waist Romper White
$79.95
$128.00
Anthropologie
Magic Suit By Miraclesuit
Solid Piper Romper Coverup Blue
$180.00
Neiman Marcus
Sweaty Betty
Explorer Romper Blue
$50.99
Rue La La
-30%
Generation Love
Carine Button-Front Linen Romper White
$241.50
$345.00
Neiman Marcus
-15%
Atu Body Couture
Tiger-print organza-bow catsuit - women - Polyester - M - Pink
$568.00
$669.00
FARFETCH
-32%
Atu Body Couture
tie-fastening satin-finish catsuit - women - Polyester - L - Red
$424.00
$623.00
FARFETCH
Marine Serre
Moon Logo Ribbed Jersey Catsuit - Gray
$272.82
Italist
Bebe
Printed Mesh Off Shoulder Catsuit
$99.99
Rue La La
Marine Serre
Moon Logo Embroidered Catsuit - Gray
$333.94
Italist
-40%
Naked Wardrobe
Animal Print Closed Toe Jumpsuit in Houndstooth Plaid at Nordstrom, Size Medium
$70.80
$118.00
Nordstrom
Bebe
Printed Mesh Off Shoulder Catsuit Black
$99.99
Rue La La
-44%
Naked Wardrobe
Long Sleeve Closed Toe Jumpsuit in Charcoal at Nordstrom, Size X-Large
$54.99
$98.00
Nordstrom
-30%
Wolford
x Etro Tattoo paisley catsuit Brown
$301.00
$430.00
Mytheresa
-38%
Avec Les Filles
Drop-Waist Romper White
$79.95
$128.00
Anthropologie
-30%
Max Mara
Canard cotton-blend poplin romper White
$294.00
$420.00
Mytheresa
Magic Suit By Miraclesuit
Solid Piper Romper Coverup Blue
$180.00
Neiman Marcus
Sweaty Betty
Explorer Romper Blue
$50.99
Rue La La
-30%
Generation Love
Carine Button-Front Linen Romper White
$241.50
$345.00
Neiman Marcus
Elan
Collared Romper Blue
$39.99
Rue La La
Black Halo
Sanibel Two-Piece Romper
$375.00
Neiman Marcus
Strut-This
Watson Romper Green
$30.99
Rue La La
Black Halo
Matias Linen Romper
$415.00
Neiman Marcus
YEAR OF OURS
Stretch Play Romper Green
$30.99
Rue La La
Ramy Brook
Lavinia Romper Blue
$77.99
Rue La La
