This season jump suits make the leap from sofa-slouching to sophisticated

Former Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman recently posted an Instagram photo of herself in a pale grey jumpsuit from Italian label Album di Famiglia. She was delighted to have finally found one she felt she could actually wear.

What a relief to know I’m not the only one who has fallen in love with all-in-ones. My fixation started back in the early 1980s, when I coveted my friend Anna’s denim dungarees. The shiny brass buttons, the tomboy appeal … Meanwhile, my mum was swishing about in pastel parachute-silk numbers worn with slouchy flat boots. 

How rakishly cool. More recently, the sight of Instagram’s fashion director Eva Chen in an oversized khaki style made me drool.

I think many women shy away from all-in-ones due to the labelling problem. 

The names are childishly unchic: ‘playsuit’, ‘jumpsuit’, ‘romper’, ‘boiler’… perfect for a trip to the soft-play centre, yes, but I don’t want to be shoved into the ballpit myself, thanks.

This summer, however, the all-in-one has had a sophisticated rebrand. Reader, I bring you the tea jumpsuit. Or tea suit, if you like. Silky and slinky, they’re cut from the same cloth (literally) as the good old floral midi tea dress. 

I’ve become reliant on them to the point of addiction. I slip them on whenever I need to wear something vaguely smart but also easy. 

There’s a wide variety of tea suit shapes on offer, all in lightweight fabrics, making them perfect for garden drinks on a balmy evening — set to be the mainstay of our entertainment this summer.

Slouchy styling is also key; this new take is less 1970s and more modern. The flowing silhouette mimics a dress, but there is built-in protection against the breeze and the accompanying knicker-flash potential. Who said the end of lockdown means we can’t be comfortable?