JUMPSUITS CAN BE CLASSY
As they win approval at Royal Ascot, ANNABEL CROFT (who wore hideous ones on TV in the 80s) says
WHEN I heard that ladies in jumpsuits will be allowed into Ascot’s Royal Enclosure this year for the first time, I must admit I was stunned.
The last time organisers made a significant change to the hallowed dress code was in 1971, when they permitted us to wear (shock, horror) trouser-suits.
Floaty tea dresses, billowing silk skirts and chic coats are the order of the day. How on earth could a jumpsuit fit the bill?
At first, I was dogged by unwelcome memories of the last time the dreaded all-in-one was fashionable.
When I followed in the footsteps of Anneka Rice as presenter of Eighties TV show Treasure Hunt, producers insisted I should inherit her wardrobe, too. So I spent the entire series wearing a succession of multi-coloured jumpsuits made of unforgiving Lycra. They were so skin-tight they showed every imperfection.
I thought nothing could tempt me back into one — certainly not in my 50s. But then came Ascot’s announcement. And hot on its heels a decree from Vogue that the jumpsuit has supplanted the cocktail dress as the summer occasion outfit of choice.
So my resolve began to wobble. My daughters Amber, 23, and Lily, 18 — who are my style gurus along with their brother Charlie, 21 — live in jumpsuits. And, far from warning me off, they were convinced it knows no age barrier. Could they be right?
Well, to my surprise and delight, the answer is a resounding yes.
Forget the Lycra of the Eighties, today’s styles come in a range of cuts and fabrics to suit every shape and occasion. With no tight waistbands they are forgiving, skimming over wobbly bits and drawing attention away from midriffs to flatter derrieres.
Once I’ve mastered the slightly tricky art of going to the loo in a jumpsuit, I can see it becoming my go-to outfit this summer.
GO FOR BOLD AT HENLEY REGATTA
THIS is so versatile — dress it up with heels and a hat or down with flat shoes — and the threequarter-length sleeves are very flattering. French women love this length. It’s bold and daring and looks far more expensive than it is.
Striped jumpsuit, now £38.50, wallis.co.uk; Red fascinator, £39, monsoon.com; Heels, £24.99, newlook.com
GLAMOROUS GLYNDEBOURNE
I ADORE this twist on the traditional floaty, floral summer dress. The cut-away top softens broad shoulders like mine, and there’s a cut-out keyhole back, too, which is really cute. As a dress, it’d be dowdy, but this is a knockout — fun, sexy and very grown-up.
Cold shoulder floral print, £250, whistles.com; Purple suede courts, £170, lkbennett.com