5 Jumpsuit Styling Tips You Need to Know
Are you looking for something cute and easy to update your style over 40? Then try a jumpsuit! Now, before you put the brakes on and tell me, ” I wore a jumpsuit in the ’80s but would look horrible in one today,” please read on. Here are five style tips guaranteed to give you the confidence to wear a jumpsuit at any age.
1. Nip In Your Waist
It’s all about having shape. If you’re worried you might look like a giant blob in a jumpsuit, the trick is to wear a jumpsuit that defines your waist. A jumpsuit tailored at the waist or a jumpsuit with a belt or drawstring, or some elastic will keep you from looking heavy through the middle like a tree trunk.
See how this striped cropped jumpsuit gently nips in and ties at the waist? You don’t need a lot of definition; even a little will help create a flattering silhouette.
2. Proportion is Key
Proportion is significant when it comes to looking fabulous in a jumpsuit. You can wear a jumpsuit with broad, flowing pant legs if you have medium to long legs. If you are petite or have short legs, you’ll be swallowed up by a ton of material, so go for a slimmer leg and watch that the length of the jumpsuit doesn’t overwhelm your small frame.
Big busted or very wide shoulders? Then, go wider on the bottom to balance out your bottom half. Skinny leg jumpsuits will make you look like an ice cream cone about to topple over.
Rectangle Figure – A skinny-leg jumpsuit is flattering on a boyish figure.
Small chest/narrow shoulders and wide hips? This means you are a pear shape. Choose a jumpsuit with wide legs to flatter your wide bottom half. Make sure it is blousy up top or has shoulder detail to build width and create more of an hourglass shape. This green floral jumpsuit is an excellent example of a jumpsuit that would work for a pear-shaped figure.
3. Consider Color and Pattern
One head-to-toe color is more slimming than two colors, top, and bottom. The color change creates a breakpoint on your body which has a shortening effect.
An all-over print doesn’t have a breakpoint and can distract the eye from problem areas. However, if you go with a print, keep it proportionate to your frame. Small gals should wear small prints. Larger gals can wear larger prints but not go huge, or you will look like a circus clown.
4. Wear the Right Shoes
You can wear flat sandals with a casual spring/summer jumpsuit, but a block heel sandal or strappy high heel gives you that long, lean look we all crave. The right shoe can make all the difference to looking fabulous in a jumpsuit. Don’t wear heavy on top or masculine, or you will look frumpy. Keep your heels strappy and feminine. A chunky heel will help balance a wide leg jumpsuit.
5. Throw On a Jacket
Some women avoid jumpsuits that are bare up top, such as a halter or strapless style. One solution is to wear a jacket with your jumpsuit. It keeps you warm, hides your arms, and looks sporty and chic. For example, a black strapless jumpsuit with a bright coral jacket is striking. Make sure to hike up ” the girls” with a good bra, and great shapewear works wonders too
Still on the fence about jumpsuits? Look at my other posts:
How to style cropped jumpsuits.
GREAT tip on wearing the fitting jumpsuit for your body. I am more pear-shaped and love jumpsuits, but I never even thought about finding one that helps balance the upper half of my body with the lower. Thank you!
A great article. Since this year I’ve worn a jumpsuit again. I had one a long time ago, but now I’m 55, like the new generation of jumpsuits. Nice Pictures! I love your blog, and my customers do too.
Greetings from Munich/Bavaria – Martina
Wonderful to hear from you, Martina. I would love to see a photo of you in your jumpsuit. Please send it in, and I will post it. Cheers! Deborah
Great article. I am 46yrs old, and I love the jumpsuit trend!
Jumpsuit, pantsuit. Nearly the same, but one is looser, more casual, and grown-up than a onesie. I had one in ’93, floral, spaghetti straps, and wide legs I wore with sandals. It was a pain to pee! I would wear a more sophisticated style today with platforms, maybe. This style could suit any woman, even one grande dame du age.
I am the opposite of most people here because I would not wear one and don’t think they are flattering. They remind me of when my dad did a short stint in a factory and had to wear what he called a “boiler suit,”! Very similar to a jumpsuit. He would also wear it to do jobs around the house like painting, electrical work, etc., so I don’t have good associations, lol! Also mentioned by others is the bathroom factor and the fact that many of us are no longer as slim as we were and maybe pear-shaped!
I love how you styled the black & white jumpsuits – I bought one on sale @ Target & your tip about wearing a belt will make all the difference. I enjoy your suggestions – I’m way over 40, by the way.
I love jumpsuits. They are a flattering alternative to a dress. I wear solid jumpsuits with wider legs and a wedge since I am about 5’5″, and they proportion me nicely. Also, with our hot temps in Phoenix, jumpsuits are much more relaxed than pants but still offer the same ease. Two of mine are strapless, and sometimes I wear a little bolero-style loose weave sweater with them. I also have a black halter style which I tend to wear more in the evening. Today’s jumpsuits do not look like the stiff cotton things from the ’80s with snaps up the front. Think coveralls The ones I wear are almost like resort wear. I think they are chic and minimalist, so I will keep wearing them.
Okay, so I get maybe three months of wear out of these. Not worth it to me. Personally hope the trend disappears. By the way, in the story’s photo, I would never wear a belt that hangs down into my crotch like that. The eyes follow……
Pass. These would look horrible on a highly pear-shaped person like me. However, they are nice and would not be surprised if ladies under 40, 30, and even 20s start to sport them, i.e., for graduation, office parties, large seminar gatherings, business meetings, etc.
First time I’ve visited this site, and I’m impressed with the info -keep up the excellent work!
I love jumpsuits, but most are sleeveless, which is not a good option for me, as my arms are not my best feature.
To get around this, I made one last yincludingluded sleeves, and I love wearing them. The toilet issue is admittedly not significant, plus I need to wear some industrial strength Spanx, which adds to the bathroom battle!
That said, I still enjoy wearing it and always receive compliments, usually from people who say they ‘would love to have the confidence to wear one.’ I say, ‘get into the Spanx and work the look, girlfriend!
I have included a link to my photo. Hopefully, it works. I’m 45, by the way.
http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g397/lindsayclare1/Photo0319.jpg
Hi Anne,
You must have read my mind. I was recently in a store and saw a beautiful jumpsuit. My thought was no on me.. being 56 and going through menopause, my body has changed drastically. I think I’ll go back and try it on. Thank You
Hi Michelle, good for you to be open to trying new things!
I have been there…done that! I hope I don’t ever have to wear one again! Lol, They are not flattering to me at all! Plus, Anne made a good point in her comment! Teehee!
I also see the red jumpsuit as the only viable option for me–and for similar reasons, size 10=12 on the bottom, 36 DDD on top (don’t tell me God doesn’t have a sense of humor!) Anyway, where did you find these pretty jumpsuits?
I absolutely would wear one!!!! I loved jumpsuits back in the day…both in the 70s and in the 80s. I recently was leafing through a catalog, and my beau pointed out a great red jumpsuit and said you would look fabulous in that! We have an annual black tie event. I would wear one too, and I can wear it on vacation next year in Spain; thanks for giving me a GREAT idea!! It’s like a great dress, change the accessories, and viola, a brand new look!!!!!
This article hit a home run for me! Jumpsuits make the most comfortable travel outfits. You can dress them up or down, with heels or flats. I’m shopping for one today! Thanks!
I think jumpsuits can be very elongating and flattering. Thanks for the tips!
Awesome tips! I always cringe when women of any age say they are too “young” for styles that are not too young! Confidence is always the best accessory. Anne makes a good point about functionality first :)
I like them all, but the red one is the only one I could really ‘pull off. I have a large bust and small bottom. (Read “H” cup; size 10 or 12 top and Size 2 bottom.) They don’t make strapless bras with enough power to hold me up, so I avoid strapless styles and those with spaghetti/skinny straps.
All 4 of these jumpsuits are really pretty. Yes, I would wear one!
I’ve never loved the jumpsuit, but you have shown some cute examples. And I kind of like the retro, ’70s sort of vibe. But there’s another issue that doesn’t exactly get better over 40. Shall we call it the “peeing problem?” Bathroom trips are inconvenient enough as it is! Forgive my bluntness, but this is the first thing that comes to mind……
Hi Anne,
LOL… really good point. If you do decide to go with this fun trend, make sure you don’t wait until the last minute to visit the toilet. You are right, getting in and out of it can be tricky. Good to think about before investing in a jumpsuit!