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.
Charles & Keith
Khai Ruched Top Handle Bag Brown
£95.00
Charles & Keith
-40%
Lounge
Oversized Longline Blazer - Dark Brown - 12
£72.00
£120.00
Lounge
-40%
Lounge
Oversized Wool Blend Blazer - Mink - 10 Brown
£72.00
£120.00
Lounge
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.
-38%
Fat Face
FatFace Faye Teal Blue Ribbed Crew Neck Knitted Cardigan
£35.00
£56.00
FatFace
-50%
Ganni
Beige Cardigan in Cable Wool
£205.00
£410.00
GANNI
-32%
Fat Face
FatFace Blanche Green Oversized Sparkle Knitted Cardigan
£44.00
£65.00
FatFace
-25%
Blugirl
Mouliné Knit Jacket Beige
£192.27
£256.65
Miinto
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.
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.
Lounge
Bloom & Stripe Shirt Romper - Sage - XXL Green
£50.00
Lounge
Missoni
Multicoloured Sparkly Knit Playsuit Size XXS
£130.25
HEWI
-25%
Lounge
Modal Romper - Lilac Floral - XXL White
£33.75
£45.00
Lounge
-40%
Melissa Odabash
Venus cotton-blend terry romper Blue
£123.00
£205.00
Mytheresa
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.
Monica Vinader
Gold MV Siren Muse Mini Huggie Earrings
£59.00
Monica Vinader
Charles & Keith
Logan Double-Lace Calf Boots Brown
£95.00
Charles & Keith
-40%
Moon Boot
Ltrack suede-trimmed combat boots Beige
£117.00
£195.00
Mytheresa
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.
-50%
Guess
Jumpsuits, female, Black, XL, Black Playsuits by Marciano
£130.51
£261.00
Miinto
-30%
Melissa Odabash
Border cotton-blend playsuit Blue
£175.00
£250.00
Mytheresa
Moschino
Underbear Tuta Corta Cotone Black
£207.06
Miinto
Faithfull The Brand
Riatto checked cotton romper Red
£200.00
Mytheresa
-40%
Rick Owens
Lilies Zephyr scuba catsuit Black
£387.00
£645.00
Mytheresa
Maison Close
Pure Tentation long-sleeve backless catsuit - Black
£177.00
FARFETCH
-40%
Rick Owens
Lilies Zephyr scuba catsuit Black
£387.00
£645.00
Mytheresa
Area
Crystal Straps Black Catsuit Size XS
£197.96
HEWI
-40%
Wolford
Sheer mesh catsuit Black
£201.00
£335.00
Mytheresa
-8%
Gestuz
Jumpsuits, female, Black, M, Sannagz Catsuit
£165.49
£179.88
Miinto
Wolford
Slash cutout strapless jersey catsuit Black
£200.00
Mytheresa
-40%
Jean Paul Gaultier
Medallion printed mesh catsuit Red
£390.00
£650.00
Mytheresa
-30%
Wolford
x Etro Tattoo paisley catsuit Brown
£234.00
£335.00
Mytheresa
Maison Close
French Kiss Light open-back long-sleeve catsuit - Brown
£236.00
FARFETCH
Dries Van Noten
Layered Striped Cotton-poplin Playsuit - Blue
£595.00
NET-A-PORTER
Alo Yoga
Technical bodysuit Black
£120.00
Mytheresa
Casa Raki
Felipa pleated cupro playsuit - Black - XS
£265.00
The Outnet
Prism²
Spirited playsuit Red
£85.00
Mytheresa
TK Maxx
Black Ribbed Romper
£12.00
TK Maxx
Rowen Rose
Dégradé ribbed cotton-jersey playsuit - Green - FR 34
£1,140.00
The Outnet
Rivet Utility
Dreamer Linen Playsuit - Neutrals
£295.00
NET-A-PORTER
Jacquemus
Cielo ribbed-knit playsuit - White - FR 38
£300.00
The Outnet
Charo Ruiz Ibiza
Almeria broderie anglaise cotton-blend playsuit - White - S
£255.00
The Outnet
Tibi
Pleated cotton-poplin playsuit - Yellow - US 0
£562.00
The Outnet
Charo Ruiz Ibiza
Cadiz broderie anglaise cotton-blend playsuit - Yellow - XS
£255.00
The Outnet
