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From Sky to Sidewalk: The Origins of the Jumpsuit
The jumpsuit first emerged in the early 20th as functional attire for aviators and parachutists, hence the name "jumpsuit.” Created for practicality, this one-piece garment provided ease of movement and safety during jumps and flights. Despite its utilitarian origins, the jumpsuit quickly caught the eye of fashion designers worldwide. In 1919, Italian fashion designer Thayaht designed a garment he dubbed the “TuTa,” derived from the Italian work tutta meaning “all.” Thayaht envisioned the TuTa as the ideal attire for working class men: it required minimal material, produced almost no fabric waste, and needed only seven buttons and simple seams. Talk about sustainability! In 1920, he published his design in La Nazione newspaper so everyone could make a TuTa themselves. To Thayaht’s chagrin, however, the TuTa caught on not with the working class, but with the upper echelons of Florentine society.
The design for Thayaht’s “TuTa”
Women at Work: The Rise of the Jumpsuit
But when did the jumpsuit become a fashion staple for women? As with many other garments, including t-shirts and pants, the jumpsuit made its debut in women's wardrobes during the Second World War. During this time, women entered the workforce in unprecedented numbers, taking on roles traditionally held by men. The jumpsuit became essential for these working women, offering both practicality and comfort. Iconic allegorical figures like Rosie the Riveter popularized the jumpsuit as a symbol of female empowerment and resilience.
During this period, several fashion designers, including Elsa Schiaparelli, Vera Maxwell, and Bonnie Cashin embraced the jumpsuit as both a practical and fashionable clothing solution for women. Schiaparelli, known for her avant-garde creations, introduced elegant and daring jumpsuit designs in the 1930s, such as her famous "Beach Pajamas," which combined the ease of loungewear with high-fashion elements. By contrast, in the 1940s, Vera Maxwell adapted the jumpsuit for wartime practicality, creating utilitarian yet stylish renditions of the garment including her "Uniform" jumpsuit, which featured durable fabrics and functional pockets.
Top: Elsa Schiaparelli’s “Beach Pajamas,” 1931
Bottom: Vera Maxwell’s “Uniform,” 1941
Jumping into Style
However, the jumpsuit didn’t truly become a fashion staple until the late 1960s and 1970s. During this period, the jumpsuit became a symbol of rebellion and avant-garde fashion and was embraced by some of the most influential fashion designers, from Oscar de la Renta to Yves Saint Laurent.
In addition to fashion designers, musicians played a significant role in popularizing the jumpsuit as a symbol of rock 'n' roll and disco culture. Elvis Presley famously wore jumpsuits adorned with sequins and elaborate embellishments during his electrifying performances in the 1970s, solidifying its association with stage presence and showmanship. Similarly, disco divas such as Donna Summer and Cher embraced the jumpsuit as part of their glamorous stage attire. In fact, by 1980, the jumpsuit had become such a hit that American fashion designer Geoffrey Beene predicted that the jumpsuit would become “the ballgown of the next century.”
Today, the jumpsuit remains a beloved staple in fashion, celebrated for both its practicality and its bold style. So next time you wear a jumpsuit, remember to jump for joy because you're donning a piece of fashion history that has soared from the skies to the spotlight.
And be sure to jump on over to TC’s store to check out our fabulous collection of jumpsuits! Here's a preview of our newest launch, the Leela Jumpsuit!
Sources:
https://www.vogue.in/fashion/content/history-of-jumpsuit-vogue-fashion-encyclopaedia
https://startupfashion.com/fashion-archives-a-look-at-the-history-of-the-jumpsuit/
https://www.vogue.com/article/everything-you-need-to-know-about-elsa-schiaparelli-ahead-of-the-shocking-exhibition-in-paris
https://assets.vogue.com/photos/62bbbbc276c4460c5cf02b15/master/w_1600,c_limit/19310701-george%20hoyningen-huene-vogue--CN00020063.jpg
https://collectionapi.metmuseum.org/api/collection/v1/iiif/84036/227134/restricted
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