pink rickshaw: July 2009

"Ishum going to wear a jumpsuit made entirely out of velcro." -Sacha Baron Cohen as Bruno

jumpsuit (noun) one piece garment with sleeves and legs. Originally referred to the utilitarian one-piece garments used by parachuters and skydivers.
romper(noun) a loosely fitted, one piece garment having short bloomers that are worn by small children for play and adapted into women's fashion in the 1970s.

Robert Fulghum reminded us years ago that All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. It's all there. Share everything. Play fair. Don't take things that aren't yours. Flush. It looks like along with life lessons, we're getting some fashion tips from our kindergarten days as well. The jumpsuit, romper or even lovingly referred to as the adult onesie, was a huge trend on the Spring 2009 runway, and popular on the streets starting last summer. And this summer the one-piece style is definitely not going anywhere. So is it a fashion do or a look to be left in the sandbox? There are definitely two schools of thought when it comes to the trend.
Whowhatwear.com declared:"Unlike its more casual cousin (overalls), rompers and jumpsuits create a look that is sophisticated, unfussy and perfectly pulled together in one fell swoop. They're also incredibly versatile, outfitting everyone from kids in sandboxes to mechanics on the job to Jerry Hall in her disco heyday. The good news about this vast spectrum and crazy adaptability is that you can achieve any desired result, depending on how you choose to style it. Whether you opt for an all-in-one that is long or short, it is important to pay attention to the fabric and fit. A luxurious material or eye-catching pattern can compliment this voluminous silhouette and create a feminine look. Remember that accessorizing will always help you achieve a polished ensemble; a strong heel and statement necklace will no doubt bring this shape to new stylish heights."

Points noted. The non-romper camp is more skeptical. 55 percent of Glamourreaders said it's a fashion don't. (The wrong adult onesie doesn't exactly scream maturity and well, going to the bathroom is not an easy task to name a few of the drawbacks). But is the skepticism warranted? Like any other trend, a few rules can make the look very wearable. If going for the romper look, remember these are still shorts. So, while they are appropriate for going out, they still aren't for work or job interviews. Also, when trying the look, pay particular attention to the waistline. A waistline that hits too high or low for your body type can well, look, unfortunate. Also, color is key. Stick to rich, solid colors. Prints with this look can look too child-like and khaki or light brown can make it look like you're on a safari.

I have to admit I've been on the fence on this trend for a while, but have started spotting some sophisticated and fun looks I'm loving. Some rompers create the illusion of two pieces for a very polished, elegant style like the Sunner romper pictured above with purple ruffled top and dark shorts. The more casual looks like Lindsey Price's Rag and Bone Teddy romper and the Larsen Gray belted romperin turquoise (added bonus is it is eco-friendly) or the Dolce Vita silk romperin hot pink can be great for weekends or bbqs. So, the PR verdict: trend friend. If you're looking for a fun, fuss-free way to show some leg, go for romper or try a longer leg, silk look for total disco vibe. After all, your inner kindergartner would want you to take the chance.