How jumpsuit trends have changed over the decades
The IndependentStay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. First worn by parachuters in the military – hence the name ‘jumpsuit’ – the look was initially designed to be very utilitarian. Although various designers tried to give the jumpsuit a more stylish spin in the first half of the 20th century – such as Elsa Schiaparelli’s elegant silk jumpsuits of the 1930s – jumpsuits really took off for women during World War Two, and glamour wasn’t part of the equation. One of the enduring symbols of WWII is Rosie the Riveter – the fictional woman in the ‘We Can Do It’ poster clutching her bicep and, yes, wearing a blue jumpsuit. From Amal Clooney wearing a chic Stella McCartney navy number in 2019… … to Sandra Bullock in sparkling Zuhair Murad for the UK premiere of Ocean’s 8… … and Rihanna wearing a knock-out white jumpsuit to the 2018 Diamond Ball.