For the longest time, I didn’t see the point in spending a lot of money on basics, especially jersey staples like T-shirts. I would’ve rather saved up for the latest It dress, arm candy, or shoes, scrimping on the foundation pieces that make a wardrobe more concise and ultimately more expensive looking. But as I’ve gotten older, I want to get more out of the clothes I own, and while the sentiment doesn’t necessarily always apply in the world of fashion, I’ve found that you get what you pay for in terms of basics.
Before lockdown—the first one in 2020—I don’t think I’d ever spent more than £20 on a pair of leggings. To be fair, they weren’t as integral to my outfits as they are today. However, as the fabrics wore thin with each wash so did my patience. I decided to treat myself to a better pair (I chose Spanx’s Look at Me Now Seamless Leggings, £58), and thus, my new-found obsession with premium basics was born. Now, I’ve set my next jersey upgrade: Wolford’s iconic bodysuit.
The Wolford bodysuit has become something of an A-list cult buy. Almost everyone in Hollywood owns at least one. The Colorado bodysuit, which features a jaunty turtleneck, is a particular favourite of Natalie Portman, Priyanka Chopra, and Gigi Hadid. But what is it that sets them apart from, say, a typical high-street bodysuit? Let’s break it down, shall we?
The bodysuits are made from an extra-soft viscose material with high natural fibre content, making them incredibly breathable. They also boast a stretchy, circular knit, which is super comfortable on the skin, and flat seams ensure a flawless fit against the body. Keen to know how they fare in real-time wear, I reached out to the rest of the Who What Wear team to find out if anyone had hands-on experience with the bodysuit before making the splurge. Turns out, our editor in chief, Hannah Almassi, is a long-time fan of Wolford bodysuits and can confirm their God-tier status.
“As someone who wears a lot of high-waisted and fitted trousers and skirts and is also short at 5’1”, I was repeatedly finding that longer tops and jumpers were ruining the silhouette of my outfits. I have a few cropped options, but even then, you don’t get the smooth line that a bodysuit offers. I wanted one that felt luxe and grown-up and flattering, which is precisely what the Wolford bodysuit provides—it’s because it’s made out of a thick, stretchy, and hosiery-like material, and with their expertise in undergarments and controlwear, it’s no great wonder that its comfortable and form hugging without being clingy.”
Convinced? Me too. Scroll below to shop my edit of the Wolford bodysuit collection.
Opening Image: @rosiehw