It was Elsa Schiaparelli, the great Italian designer, who first made the jumpsuit fashionable in the 1940s.
Then, in the 1970s, came Yves Saint Laurent and a different approach with long sleeves and palazzo trousers.
And even today, the jumpsuit has its influential advocates – including Europe’s royals.
It is after all, a versatile staple which can go from utilitarian to glam without ever going out of style.
And it’s been worn by a surprising range of royals from Meghan Markle in Gabriela Hearst to Queen Camilla in Anna Valentine.
In fact, Catherine, Princess of Wales seems to be the only one not to have been spotted in a jumpsuit. (And even she is thought to have worn the Donna Ida £295 Sadie black all-in-one at home.)
Here the Royals section takes a look at a one-stop style that can do no wrong…
Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex
Stepping out for dinner with friends in New York in July 2022, Meghan chose a monochrome jumpsuit
The delicate cut-out details at the back of the £3755 Gabriela Hearst design, together with the flared trouser and addition of strappy Aquazzura heels elevated the ensemble.
Harry’s in trainers as they step out for dinner with friends last year. But Meghan has chosen a black and white jumpsuit with delicate cut-out details at the back. It cost £3755
Meghan chose this simple linen jumpsuit design for a 2019 tour of South Africa
During a 2019 tour in South Africa Meghan once again chose a jumpsuit, this time opting for a more casual version £166 piece in linen from Everlane. With its deep V neckline, tie waist and mid-calf length, it strikes the perfect balance of dressy and casual when paired with minimal Manolo Blahnik pumps.
Queen Mathilde of Belgium
In April 2018 Queen Mathilde of Belgium visited Leuven Catholic University in a bold Natan jumpsuit. Featuring a tuxedo top and flared trousers it was a modern take on tailoring, giving colour and glamour to what could have been a trouser suit.
In April 2018 Queen Mathilde of Belgium visited Leuven Catholic University in a bold Natan jumpsuit – it was a modern take on tailoring, giving colour and an effortless glamour
Queen Rania of Jordan
As a glamorous alternative to a tailored dress, Queen Rania brought her elegant, regal style stateside in June 2018 during a visit to the White House.
The blush pink Adeam ensemble featured billowy long sleeves and a wide leg pleated trouser for a sophisticated and streamlined look which could have equally been seen on the red carpet.
Queen Rania brought her elegant, regal style to the White House in 2018. She is wearing a blush pink Adeam ensemble with billowy long sleeves and a wide leg trouser
Princess Diana
Princess Diana wore a yellow button-up jumpsuit in 1987
Perfecting her off-duty wardrobe this yellow look teamed with a metallic belt and shoes sums up 80s style and was ideal for a holiday in Mallorca with Spanish royals.
The look would work just as well now with the wide lapel, short sleeve and pleated trouser leg.
All the way back in 1987 Princess Diana was rocking the one-piece, choosing a yellow button up jumpsuit. She is pictured here with Queen Sofia of Spain in Majorca
This yellow look teamed with a metallic belt and shoes defined her 80s style and was ideal for a Ballearic holiday
Queen Camilla
Camilla pictured at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. At first glance, she appears to be wearing a navy dress. It is fact an Anna Valentine all-in-one
Queen Camilla turns to Anna Valentine once again for the inaugural Queen’s Reading Room Literary Festival at Hampton Cour in 2023. Here she has chosen a piece with three-quarter length sleeves
Camilla has become adept at formal dressing. Attending the opening ceremony of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham last summer, she gave a masterclass in looking smart, stylish and comfortable.
At first glance, it looked like she was in a long navy dress, but on closer inspection it is an Anna Valentine all-in-one. Whether it is the wide leg or deep navy hue, this tailored piece is a good example of how jumpsuits can be modern yet timeless, and flattering on women of all ages.
Turning to Anna Valentine again for the inaugural Queen’s Reading Room Literary Festival in 2023, Camilla chose a three-quarter length sleeve bold blue piece which featured satin cuffs at the bottom, adding an elegant flare to the outfit.
Queen Letizia of Spain
Queen Letizia eschewed conventional formalwear for a gala performance in 2018 in favour of the evening jumpsuit.
Her £450 midnight blue Pedro de Hierro asymmetric jumpsuit featured delicate draping and pleating for a neo-Grecian feel, while the train lent drama.
When not dressing for the red carpet the ever-stylish Queen of Spain turns to the high street for her jumpsuits, wearing a £49.99 zip front Mango navy one-piece to attend an event at Gran Maestre Theatre in May 2019.
The versatile piece has been a mainstay in her wardrobe since 2015 and is the perfect mix between smart and casual when paired with the right accessories for a modern touch.
Queen Letizia of Spain appears in a £450 midnight blue Pedro de Hierro asymmetric jumpsuit in 2018
Its delicate draping and pleating offered a neo-Grecian feel
Queen of Spain sometimes turns to the high street for her jumpsuits. Here she wears a £49.99 zip-front Mango navy one-piece
Letizia paired a £59.99 khaki Mango jumpsuit with straw bag and espadrilles in Mallorca in August 2019
Dressing down in Mallorca in August 2019 Letizia paired a £59.99 khaki Mango jumpsuit with a straw bag and espadrilles for regal off-duty style.
Princess Charlene of Monaco
Princess Charlene wore a bespoke Terrance Bray piece for the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix in 2022.
It complemented her silhouette with bishop’s sleeves, a figure-flattering bodice and wide leg trousers.
Once again going for red carpet glamour with a jumpsuit, Charlene attended a Red Cross gala in July 2015. The all-in-one pillar box red outfit was given an evening twist with a cape one-shoulder sleeve and large bow at the neck.
The jumpsuit is a wardrobe essential that Charlene has turned to for many evening events, and a decade earlier in 2013 she chose a Roberto Cavalli piece with a plunging neckline for a trendy take on the LBD.
Princess Charlene wore a sleek, fitted pastel blue jumpsuit at the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix in 2022
Charlene attended a Red Cross gala in July 2015 wearing the all-in-one pillar box red outfit
The jumpsuit is a wardrobe essential that Charlene has turned to for many evening events, and a decade earlier in 2013 she chose a Roberto Cavalli piece
As much as Princess Charlene loves the style for evening it has been a go-to for daytime too, when going for laid back luxe in Milan 2018 with a Giorgio Armani charcoal grey tailored outfit
Charlene went for a khaki green Ralph Lauren one-piece at the Monaco Grand Prix in 2018,
As much as Princess Charlene loves the style for evening it has been a go-to for daytime too, when going for laid back luxe in Milan 2018 with a Giorgio Armani charcoal grey tailored outfit and again in 2018 at the Monaco Grand Prix where she opted for Top Gun style.
The khaki green Ralph Lauren one-piece had a utility feel and accentuated her slender frame.
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands
Maxima wore a £410 black cotton Maxmara jumpsuit at Formula One in August this year, pairing it with a leather Massimo Dutti jacket and Jimmy Choo sandals.
The jumpsuit is something of a Queen Maxima staple.
When attending the opening of the Concertgebouw orchestra’s new season in September 2017 she dazzled in a £1550 Roland Mouret monochrome version.
Maxima was chicly on theme in a £410 black cotton Maxmara jumpsuit at Formula One in August this year
When attending the opening of the Concertgebouw orchestra’s new season in September 2017, Queen Maxima dazzled in a £1550 Roland Mouret monochrome jumpsuit
Once again in May 2019 Maxima was magnificent in an all-in-one design, choosing a bold red silk taffeta jumpsuit
Featuring an elegant off the shoulder neckline, the show-stopping yet classic design could be mistaken for a glamorous gala gown. Once again in May 2019 Maxima was magnificent in an all-in-one design, choosing a bold red silk taffeta jumpsuit with an interlocking detail at the front.
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden
Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria attended a seminar on sustainability at the Finnish Institute wearing an Andiata burgundy jumpsuit with matching heels and earrings in December 2019.
Cinched at the waist, the flared legs and elbow length sleeves are a glamorous yet modest option.
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden attends a seminar on sustainability at the Finnish Institute in an Andiata burgundy jumpsuit in December 2019
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