Bodysuits are one-piece wonders, offering support, flexibility, and tons of styling options. From professional to downright sexy, bodysuits are great to incorporate into your wardrobe–but how do you wear one? We’ve got you covered!
Below, we’ve put together a guide with ideas for bodysuit outfits, where to wear them, and answers to your bodysuit questions. Ready to find the one (piece) you want? Read on!
What is a Bodysuit and Why Do I Want to Wear One?
Bodysuits are one-piece garments, similar to a leotard or one-piece bathing suit. They come in a range of styles from long-sleeved and blousey to sleeveless and skintight. They function as any shirt would (except a crop top!), but have the added benefit of tucking in seamlessly to whatever bottoms you choose to pair with it.
Most bodysuits also provide tension from the shoulders to the crotch to help play up your curves. Basically, they can suck you in, lift you up, and work as the perfect base layer for any outfit!
However, bodysuits are not necessarily the same thing as shapewear. While shapewear can take the form of a bodysuit, bodysuits you wear out are frequently more ornate, coming in a variety of colors, necklines, cuts, and fabrics.
How Do I Wear a Bodysuit?
Bodysuits can be worn with jeans, pants, skirts, and shorts–any bottom you can think of, you can probably wear it with a bodysuit. Bodysuit outfits can range from casual to professional to glam and sexy.
When going casual with your bodysuit, think simple styles in stretchy fabrics for a grab-and-go look. Classic bodysuits like striped or rib knit options look great paired with denim shorts.
When styling a professional outfit, bodysuits are a great option to keep your look sleek and tucked in all day. Their close-to-the-body silhouette also makes them perfect for layering under blazers and jackets.
Some of our favorite bodysuits are business in the front, party in the back! With professional necklines and subdued colors to look chic under a blazer for work, and sexy back details to be shown off once you are out of the office, bodysuits are the ideal piece to go from desk to date night!
When you want to get dressed up, a bodysuit can create a cool-girl outfit that’s equal parts sexy and versatile. Opt for sheer mesh with strategic coverage, lace-up and cutout details, off-the-shoulder, one-shoulder, and bustier styles, and plunging necklines in a variety of lush fabrics like velvet, lace, and Lurex to show off when you’re going out at night. Bodysuits paired with jeans are great for heading to a bar, while vegan leather pants or a skirt are chic options for clubs, lounges, or a hot date.
Bodysuits can also function like lingerie, creating a sexy base layer to be worn under low-cut tops and slouchy sweaters. These scene-stealers can work on their own too, it just depends on how much skin you want to bare!
Bodysuit Questions Answered
Even with all the benefits and styling options, bodysuits do come with a few practical issues to keep in mind. Here are the real-talk answers to some of the questions you might have when styling your bodysuit:
Are panty lines a problem for you?
You’ll probably want to wear a thong-bottom bodysuit to keep your outfit looking sleek from the back. If you aren’t comfortable in a thong, though. there are plenty of full-cut bottoms. Just be sure the sizing of the bodysuit is perfect to keep panty lines from disrupting the line of your outfit when wearing form-fitting pants and skirts.
How do you go to the bathroom in a bodysuit?
Are you comfortable stripping down in the bathroom stall? Find a bodysuit that has a snap closure if not. Usually, one or two small snaps at the crotch of the bodysuit keep it secure, but some bodysuits function more like a one-piece swimsuit with no snaps. That means getting naked (or creative) if you have to use the bathroom. All products on Lulus.com list how the bodysuit is meant to be worn and most websites will include closure information. If you’re ever concerned, take a look at the product reviews or contact customer service to answer any questions about the details.
How do I know if it fits right?
With bodysuits, sizing is key! For women with longer torsos, bodysuits can feel a bit snug since they have to fit from top to bottom. Those with longer legs and shorter torsos may feel like the straps are too long or the bottom is too baggy.
Stretchy fabrics and adjustable straps can help, but don’t be afraid to size up or down with a bodysuit to make sure you get the perfect fit. The size is just a number–what really matters is that your bodysuit is comfortable and looks good. Use the size and fit info for each bodysuit and read through product reviews to help determine your best size.
Do you wear underwear with a bodysuit?
While bodysuits look like a one-piece bathing suit and have an attached bottom, they don’t always have the added support or comfort you might find when wearing a pair of underwear (think a sheer bodysuit or one that has an extremely narrow crotch area). It’s up to you if you want to wear underwear with your bodysuit, but for styling purposes, make sure the pair you wear fits well beneath the bodysuit to avoid additional panty lines.
How will bottoms fit with a bodysuit?
Some bodysuits have a higher rise on the leg, meaning the higher the cut, the more skin is exposed on your hips. If you’re wearing a lower-rise bottom, this could mean some skin will show above the waistband and below the leg opening of your bodysuit. This can look super sexy (check Instagram or Pinterest for some inspo), but if you aren’t comfortable with exposing skin in this area, consider higher waisted pants and skirts to wear with your bodysuits.
Bodysuit Outfit Inspiration
Looking for bodysuit outfits? We’ve got you covered. Check out some of our cutest bodysuit looks for inspiration!
Bustier Bodysuit and High-Waisted Jeans
A sleek black bodysuit with a plunging neckline pairs beautifully with distressed, high-waisted jeans, proving that opposites really do attract!
Monochrome Ivory Outfit
A delicate sweetheart neckline and creamy lace create the foundation for a perefectly feminine outfit.
Westerncore with a Bodysuit Twist
An ornate bodysuit looks super cute with denim shorts– and when you add westerncore accessories like cowgirl boots and a wide-brimmed hat, you’ll have a perfectly playful, on-trend outfit.
Long-Sleeve Bodysuit
The flowy sleeve silhouette gives this classic white bodysuit a breezy, bohemian touch. Just add jeans and strappy sandals for an effortless go-anywhere look.
Resort-Ready Bodysuit and Skirt
Combine floral lace and floral print for an outfit that will look right at home at the seaside. Woven rattan heels and a woven bag complete the resortwear vibe.
Strappy Backless Bodysuit
Beat the heat in a sexy, strappy bodysuit! Rusty orange and white are the perfect color combination for summer or any other sunny weather.
Blazer and Bodysuit
The smooth lines of a bodysuit look amazing with a blazer. Pair it with distressed denim shorts for a cute summer outfit, or wear this pair with a pencil skirt or longer pants for an office-ready outfit.
Lace and Leather
When you pair black vegan leather shorts with a plunging neckline, you’ll look like a total rockstar. The sexy elegance of sheer black lace paired with the edgy allure of vegan leather makes a bold, stylish statement.
Are you ready to step out in a bodysuit? Shop our picks below or head to our Bodysuits Shop and be sure to share your favorite bodysuit outfits on Instagram and TikTok @lulus!
This post was originally published in June 2o17 and has been updated with new content.
Join The Conversation (2)
The strappy/cami kind definitely are not for the fuller-busted among us(!). I’m a 36D normally 10-12 and, only feel confident relegating long-sleeve turtleneck types to my Winter wardrobe (because I’ll get sick of wearing stifling sweaters under heavy coats). I’ll often pair them with knit slacks or a dressy skirt.
Another thing, in my opinion: the thought of no undergarments with a bodysuit is completely GROSS. A high waisted, nude color thong works perfect (at least, for me) for modesty purposes. I think of a bodysuit as-being more like a flattering top; rather than: (somehow?) thinking, it was meant as substitute underwear or (worse) like an excuse to wear lingerie out in public.