The new way to wear a suit in winter 2024
A velvet trouser suit or slick tuxedo has long been the coolest option for festive dressing. It looks insouciant, yet grown-up; easy to wear, yet polished – they’re comfortable and timeless too.
Now, thanks to Cate Blanchett and Victoria Beckham, we have a new way to style the look for winter 2024. Both have made appearances recently in which they’ve worn sternum-baring bodysuits beneath their tailoring.
It’s daring, yes, but if you like the idea of wearing a suit with nothing underneath, but aren’t quite brave enough to do so, the plunge bodysuit offers a sexy-yet-supportive alternative. It’s not an expensive solution either: M&S’s Cleo lace bodysuit costs £16.
Of course, this look is more challenging to carry off if you’re over a C-cup, but at Southwold boutique Collen & Clare, owner Vanessa Hodgson is adamant that a larger cup size is no barrier. “Bodysuits can definitely be worn by women with bigger busts – find a style with a sheer panel at the front for extra coverage,” she advises. Aubade’s lace bodysuit is one of her bestsellers.
Choose a bodysuit that fulfills your needs. The M&S bodysuit has soft cups for gentle support. For something more substantial, H&M’s push-up lace body is underwired with removable pads. John Lewis has a geometric lace option, which combines a deep plunge, soft wiring and cup-sizing, while Bluebella has a high-neck-yet-sheer bodysuit, £39, with panels of lace, while remaining more covered.
If you are still wary of feeling exposed, look to Blanchett for a clever styling tip. Tucking a scarf under your lapels is a sharp way to transform your suit. It makes a revealing V-neck a little less daunting. You could also add a diaphanous chiffon scarf to your look, again tucked under the lapels, or choose a contrasting bright colour to add a dopamine hit to your outfit.
Whichever style suits you, Sarah Corbett-Winder, founder of women’s tailoring label Kipper, believes confidence is the best accessory: “If you’re nervous and adjusting your boobs or pulling the jacket together, it’s not a good look,” she says. “You need to know that you can own this look, or just don’t wear it.”
For some, it may be easier to find a bra that fits the bill, than a bodysuit. If that’s the case, follow Corbett-Winder’s advice and choose a “lovely lace bra”, but note that “it needs to be inline with the jacket, following the deep V of the lapels, with a glimmer of lace.”
When it comes to accessories, Blanchett added heavy gold chains to her Prince of Wales check suit. They work with the look as her bodysuit has smooth edges but compared with Beckham’s look (where the body has fluttery eyelash-lace edges) the combination of jewellery and detailed top would be de trop. Corbett-Winder suggests skipping necklaces entirely. “I’d suggest the earring route and let the chest sing… but don’t forget to put on some bronzer or shimmer” for the finishing festive touch.
