How the bodysuit became super fashionable and how to wear it: we analyze star images and new trends
Irina Shayk/Jennifer Lopez
The bodysuit is a basic and versatile piece of clothing, and it is not at all tied to the seasons or dress code. Today this thing is appropriate both in everyday life and in evening looks. Well, the simpler the thing, the more options for how to style it. Using the example of stars, we analyze how and with what to wear a bodysuit, and also remember how this thing became fashionable.
Kim Kardashian
The progenitor of the modern bodysuit is sports tights, or leotard. It was named after the French aerialist Jules Leotard, who performed in the 19th century. Then such clothes were exclusively a uniform for circus performers, strongmen and acrobats. In the 20th century, bodysuits and leotards began to be used in ballet, and not only for rehearsals.
Choreographer George Balanchine often used minimalistic solid bodysuits in his productions. This tradition has taken root in modern dance – for example, you can often see contemporary dancers in them.
Brigitte Bardot in ballet class
Here it is worth noting that the characteristic feature of the bodysuit, which distinguishes it from otleotard, is that in the inguinal part it is fastened with buttons or hooks, which makes it more practical in everyday life.
The general public, for whom this thing, if it existed, then as underwear, began to pay attention to bodysuits in the 70s and 80s of the last century, when aerobics and disco style became popular. Designers such as Donna Karan and Azzedine Alaya included it in their collections.
However, one of the first designers who decided to rethink a highly specialized thing was Claire McCardell in the 1940s. She modified the usual swimsuit by adding sleeves, stand-up collars or a neckline. The bodysuit was conceived as a simple and at the same time fashionable item that would be easy for a woman to integrate into her wardrobe.
Model in bodysuit by Claire McCardell
In 1943, Harper's Bazaar called the bodysuit "a new idea leading into the 21st century and into futuristic superwoman costumes." Indeed, before ordinary women fell in love with the bodysuit, it took root in pop culture. The comic book heroine Wonder Woman, 50s sex symbol Bettie Page and Playboy models were the first to wear it.
Linda Carter as Wonder Woman, 1970s
Bettie Page
In the 90s and 2000s, the bodysuit was forgotten by the fashion industry, but since the beginning of the 2010s it has returned to trends and still remains popular. The main fans of the thing among the stars are Kim Kardashian, the Hadid sisters, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and other celebrities who wear bodysuits both in everyday life and on the red carpet.
Today, on the catwalks, designers often present the bodysuit as an independent detail of the image, which does not require additions like a skirt or trousers. For everyday life, the idea is too bold, although some stars willingly bring it to life. For example, Celine Dion, a lover of fashion experiments, appeared in public in an Off-White bodysuit and jacket.
Celine Dion
Otherwise, solo bodysuits are more often seen as stage outfits – they are adored by all pop divas from Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez to Rita Ora and Dua Lipa.
Jennifer Lopez
Rita Ora
If this approach seems too radical, but you want to show off the body and focus on it, then you should pay attention to another popular styling option that can be seen on the red carpet. We are talking about a transparent chiffon dress or a mesh dress. In such images, Irina Shayk, Gigi Hadid, Natalie Portman and many other stars appeared at parties.
Irina Shayk
Natalie Portman
Karolina Kurkova
Gigi Hadid
Nicki Minaj
Kim Kardashian
Emma Roberts
Another option that is suitable for an evening look is a lace bodysuit. This option became familiar largely thanks to the Victoria's Secret models, who rolled from the show to the party, dressed in jeans right in the runway looks.
Khloe Kardashian
Jeans, by the way, are generally a great pair for a variety of bodysuits, but styles with original cutouts, which Bella and Gigi Hadid love, look especially impressive.
Bella Hadid
Gigi Hadid
In ordinary life, there are also enough opportunities for experiments. Today, the range of bodysuits is great: from elegant blouses and shirts for the office to transparent models. The appearance of the first ones is due to the practicality of the thing – with the bodysuit, nothing will be knocked out from behind the belt and gathered into folds. So if you need to create a neat image and not worry about such trifles, then the bodysuit will be an excellent choice.
Photo from instagram
Transparent models are also suitable for evening looks and dates, but if you want to deviate from the classic path, then you should experiment with sports and street style. You can also look at how this is done with the models. Under a transparent top, you can wear a sports bra and complement the look with sports trousers with stripes.
A real master class on how to easily combine bodysuits with different things in your wardrobe and create new looks can be seen on Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's Instagram. The model loves this item and combines it with both trousers and a skirt.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
Layering works well too: try wearing a bodysuit underneath an off-the-shoulder item. Kendall Jenner tried this technique twice: in casual style and in an evening look. She also wore a latex bodysuit under the Richard Quinn dress she wore to the 2019 Emmys.
Bodysuits and low-waisted trousers were a popular combination among the guests of the spring-summer 2020 fashion weeks. With the fashion of the 2000s gradually returning, it is worth taking note of this look.
Until the end of summer, you can still try on a bodysuit, combining it with a denim miniskirt, shorts or Bermuda shorts, but by autumn you can buy models with long sleeves and a stand-up collar and wear them with jeans and trousers, complementing them with jackets or cardigans. The bodysuit will definitely not gather dust in the closet – there is a place for it in almost any image.
Alessandra Ambrosio
Sara Sampaio
Kim Kardashian
Ashley Graham
Kourtney Kardashian
Do you wear bodysuits?