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10 best women’s boilersuits to wear this season

Much like a little black dress, throw one of these on for an instant outfit

Tamara Abraham
Friday 03 May 2019 16:57 BST
A boilersuit can be dressed up with heels and dressed down with trainers, as appropriate at a festival as it is in the office
A boilersuit can be dressed up with heels and dressed down with trainers, as appropriate at a festival as it is in the office

One of the biggest trends for summer 2019, is the modern boilersuit: think less Orange Is The New Black, more utilitarian chic.

As we saw on the runway with Stella McCartney and Victoria Beckham, it can be dressed up with heels and dressed down with trainers, as appropriate at a festival as it is in the office.

A boilersuit makes getting dressed easy – like a little black dress, it’s an instant outfit; though as any jumpsuit fan can attest, a trip to the loo takes twice as long when you have to grapple with a button-down top.

There are countless versions vying for our attention this season, from acid-wash denim to tailored wool blends. Here, we bring you our tried-and-tested favourites.

Raey zip-front wool-twill jumpsuit: £495, Matches Fashion

We were stunned to discover the waist-whittling properties of this otherwise voluminous navy boilersuit from Matches’ in-house brand. The zip-up front makes loo breaks easy, and the tailored cut makes it formal enough for work. Wear it with a thin turtleneck underneath in winter and boxfresh trainers in summer.

Buy now

Kitri Mika short-sleeve jumpsuit: £145, Kitri

When we saw Kitri founder Haeni Kim wearing her brand’s bestselling candy pink jumpsuit, we immediately added it to our must-try list. The wool-blend fabric hangs beautifully and the cinched waist and ankle-length trouser are universally flattering. Try it with heeled mules in a contrasting hue.

Buy now

Monki denim boilersuit: £40, Monki

This loose-fit, lightweight style with short sleeves and a wide, cropped leg has a playful feel to it. It has front pockets that we probably wouldn’t use for fear of ruining the shape, but it’s perfect for summer and can be layered with all kinds of camis and tees. It comes in a rainbow of colours, and at just £40, we’re easily tempted to buy them all.

Buy now

Topshop denim acid-wash boilersuit: £49, Topshop

Topshop has gone big on boilersuits this season, but this Eighties-inspired number stands out as a favourite. It’s somehow fitted without being too tight, and the acid-wash denim feels just right for summer 2019. Team with neon Converse for an on-trend weekend look.

Buy now

Carhartt WIP button-up denim jumpsuit: £145, Selfridges

Carhartt pretty much invented the utilitarian look, so it stands to reason that it would have a good boilersuit. This black version with silver buttons has a lean fit – we liked it best with the sleeves rolled up and a long-sleeved tee beneath. It’s less formal than some of the others we tried, but ultra-versatile – we can see ourselves reaching for it time and time again.

Buy now

Urban Outfitters Rosie twill boilersuit: £60, Urban Outfitters

Head-to-toe pink can be a bit too bold a statement for some, but not this muted hue. The generous fit hides a multitude of sins without looking too baggy, while the pockets in the front and back do away with the need for a bag – perfect for summer festivals and holiday sightseeing. Just add sunglasses.

Buy now

& Other Stories belted workwear boilersuit: £89, & Other Stories

It takes a degree of bravery to wear a cream boilersuit – you need to be the type of person who isn’t likely to spill their morning coffee – but the pay-off is worth it. This belted version by H&M sister brand & Other Stories looks way more expensive than its £89 price tag, and we loved the weight, look and feel of the non-stretch denim. Drape a blazer or trench over the shoulders for a street-style-worthy look.

Buy now

Brora pure linen jumpsuit: £195, John Lewis & Partners

Brora is best-known for its cashmere so we were surprised to come across this scarlet linen boilersuit from the brand. The fabric is perfect for the summer months and the zip front makes it easy to get on and off. We like that the cut is relatively loose, and the design is not so utilitarian that you’d get raised eyebrows in a formal workplace.

Buy now

J Brand traveller cropped Lyocell jumpsuit: £315, Net-a-Porter

J Brand’s sleek army green jumpsuit offers the boilersuit look without too many bells and whistles. The hidden buttons and cropped sleeves and legs make for an unfussy aesthetic that will transcend all kinds of occasions. It’s pricey, but we reckon the cost-per-wear ratio will make it well worth the splurge.

Buy now

LF Markey Danny boilersuit: £160, LF Markey

LF Markey is something of a boilersuit specialist, with something to please pretty much every body shape and taste. This short-sleeved Seventies-inspired denim version is an instant outfit that looks “fashion” without being over-the-top. The elasticated back nips you in at the waist, creating a nice contrast with the straight leg.

Buy now

The verdict: Women’s boiler suits

The colour alone of the pink Kitri Mika short-sleeved jumpsuit brings a smile to our faces, while the Carhartt WIP button-up denim jumpsuit has the best streetwear cred, but we’re prepared to spend a little (OK, a lot) more on something that makes our waists look as tiny as the Raey zip-front wool-twill version, making it our favourite.

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