PROOF THIS TREND’S REACHED BOILING POINT
SINCE FASHION LOVES a contradiction, it should come as no surprise that this autumn’s chicest item is the boilersuit: a workaday all-in-one originally designed to protect workers from soot, oil and dirt. It may have functional intentions, but guess what? With a cinched-in waist and a pair of sunglasses, it’s now Instagram catnip – as Gigi Hadid (left) proved with her pink version at last week’s New York Fashion Week.
According to the global fashion search-engine Lyst, interest in boilersuits reached a new peak last month at Copenhagen Fashion Week, thanks to being adopted by a flock of Scandi street-stylers. The best of the season include Ganni’s bubblegumpink denim confection; Whistles’ animal-print style with a sash waist, and Mih Jeans’ corduroy Drayson with a deep zip. ‘Boilersuits work in pretty much all fabrics,’ says Ida Petersson, womenswear buying director at Browns. ‘The LA brand Fear of God has a fantastic one in nylon that I’m beyond excited about. For a safe bet, try soft-wash denim for day and satin for evening.’
Kitri’s Celeste style – in a French blue with utilitarian breast pockets – almost sold out in all sizes in its first 24 hours online. ‘Jumpsuits are a really popular category for us in general but we’re seeing a big surge in interest in a more relaxed, masculine boilersuit,’ says the brand’s founder Haeni Kim. ‘They’re styles that you can dress down with trainers or dress up with heels.’ Ankle boots will also work as the weather gets more dreary; look for boilersuits that are cropped, rolledup or flared, but never skinny.
More interesting than a throw-iton mididress, but just as easy (easier, perhaps, since you don’t have to get your legs out), one important distinction between the original garment and its A/W ’18 iteration is that the latter should have a waist. Without one, boilersuits can be shapeless, so look for a version you can belt or one elasticated at the back. And, for ultimate authenticity, you
cou accledssorise with a spanner – but a cross-body bag may be more practical.