Firecracker's Blog

couldn't resist the boilersuit

March 13, 2021

You Look Fab strikes again! I couldn't resist trying a boilersuit after all the cute looks posted here. I scoured the possibilities online and decided to try the style by Madewell that Angie got in pink. The green was just the right color for me, though I wasn't sure I wanted to be that green from head to toe! When I tried it on in the store, I was surprised to find that I loved it. (As many have pointed out, fitting a one-piece garment is about as hard as it gets; and I tried to keep my expectations low.)

My other choice is one that I have tried on before at OSKA, but, even at its current sale price, it is quite a bit more expensive than the Madewell one. (And bonus: Madewell was having a sale, too.) The OSKA boilersuit is a softer fabric and a slouchier style, and you can see it here. I liked it a lot, and to be honest, I liked the fit on me better than on the model. I am shorter, so it didn't pull at all in the seat as it seems to do on the model.

I haven't cut the tags on the Madewell boilersuit yet. I'm leaning to keep it, but also still wondering whether I should get the OSKA one instead.

I am a little concerned about how much I will wear this piece,
given that I have a pair of overalls that I ended up wearing hardly at
all. But I do feel less hokey in the boilersuit. I feel it is a little
more sophisticated, somehow. Though my DH suggested, in his typical
"helpful" way, that perhaps I should embroider my name above one of the front pockets.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Keep? or get the denim one from OSKA? (The OSKA one is non-returnable, so I can't bring it home and try it on, then take it back; you'll just have to imagine it on me.)

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Posted in the Shopping category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

46 Comments

  • replied 3 years ago

    I love the green on you and the fit! If you don’t have room for two boiler suits, go with the one you like best. But to me the green is a perfect spring version and the darker denim for fall/winter. 

  • nuancedream replied 3 years ago

    This looks fab on you, Sharan!. Great color too. I love the belt and sneakers. I would take a pass on DH's suggestion. :)

  • Janet replied 3 years ago

    I think you look great in this! I’d leave the belt off. Nice color.

  • Joy replied 3 years ago

    The green boiler suit looks really cute on you. KEEP.

  • LaPed replied 3 years ago

    I love the green! Perfect, iconic fit. Now I’m tempted to give the cream version a try!

    And I kind of love the idea of a little custom embroidery on the chest pocket...

  • Cardiff girl replied 3 years ago

    The green one is perfect on you and you ve tried it on so know what it looks like in real life,l d keep it and maybe leave the other until you see how much wear you get out of this one?

  • Irina replied 3 years ago

    Fits you beautifully with a belt or without. The green color is more unique than denim, I think. But how do you feel? Would denim one be more versatile in your wardrobe? Would you prefer navy over green?
    It comes down to your choice of color.

  • Runcarla replied 3 years ago

    What a great fit!  Love the fresh colour, too.  I vote ‘KEEP’.

  • Angie replied 3 years ago

    No belt and LOVE the green! KILLER

    Hubs cracks me up....

    I am wearing the pink version of the same boiler suit today :)

  • kkards replied 3 years ago

    Oh my goodness, this is so FAB. The fit is fab! And the color, fresh and fun...i see the appeal of the OSKA one, but I’ll be honest, this isn’t an item that I’d spend a ton of money, especially if its not returnable. I think you’ve got a winner, welcome to the boiler suit team!

  • replied 3 years ago

    I think it looks great , fits well and you know how to style it . The only thing that gives me pause is the colour . I love it , it suits you , but .....it’s a definite statement and makes me wonder about longevity . Just playing devil’s advocate . Too bad you can’t try on the denim one .

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 3 years ago

    Thank you all for the great feedback!
    Gillian, good call. And so interesting that you see the darker one for fall/winter, because in fact it was part of the last fall/winter collection. It is a fairly lightweight denim, though, lighter than the green one.
    Thank you, Andrea, Janet, Joy, and Carla!
    LaPed, I will encourage you to try on the cream one. They didn't have one in the store, so I didn't see the color in person. But twins on two pieces would be fun! Some seasons Madewell just calls my name; maybe yours, too. I'm NOT embroidering my name on this, though--haha!
    Cardiff Girl, good idea--thanks!
    Angie, I'm glad you like it on me! Potential boilersuit twins! I hope it has been comfortable for you to wear today!
    Irina, it's a tough call on the color. I really do like the fabric of the blue denim one. It's hard to beat OSKA & ISCHIKO fabrics. I also eally love this color of green, and it's a hard shade to find. But as Lisa points out, it is a very distinctive color, which makes it a very distinctive piece overall (pun intended!). Hmmmmm.
    kkards, the boilersuit queen, your styling inspired me. Thank you for the kind words.
    Lisa, yes, you've got a good point. I think for the price of this one on sale, I won't be too worried if I don't wear it a ton, or if I tire of it after a season or two. I have tried on the blue one, and I know I like the fit of it. It's quite a different look. I could go to the store, try it on, take pics, and post them here. But that is a lot of bother. Then I'd have to go back again and buy it if that were my decision. Parking fees are involved, unless I bike there and back. Yada yada.

  • Jonesy replied 3 years ago

    I love the fit on you and the color works well with your coloring. If you love this color of green, then it seems like it's fate!

  • Jaime replied 3 years ago

    I love it on you! Without the belt and with the cognac shoes. The color sort of makes it for me - a more neutral color would be more like you are getting away with it rather than proudly donning it. And I wouldn't be surprised to see a bunch of influencers putting their name on theirs - DH is very fashion forward thinking :) .

  • Jenni NZ replied 3 years ago

    Husbands! That’s the kind of “helpful” suggestion mine might make too (“they forgot part of the sleeves/legs”... for bracelet sleeves or cropped pants). Same genre as Dad jokes I feel.
    Personally I much prefer the green. Hate to say it, but the OSKA one really does look like the sort of utility overalls that hubs wears when he is doing an extremely dirty job crawling under the house with a surgical hat on his head to catch the cobwebs. It’s the same colour. The green looks more fashion and fits really well. I still could not vote because I don’t know if you will get the wear out of it. But it *looks* great on you :)

  • rachylou replied 3 years ago

    Oh that is so your colour!

  • unfrumped replied 3 years ago

    Well. Not really a fan here, in terms of how it looks, and especially the color.

    I’m not saying you should not enjoy a trend if it feels authentic to you and provides some fun. So only you can tell , is this me? And how much use you’ll get out of it, or wear it instead of many other options.

  • Catnip replied 3 years ago

    Wow!  You look terrific in this.  Definitely keep it.
    You make me envious because I'm much too short waisted to find a boiler suit that will fit.  

  • slim cat replied 3 years ago

    I like the fit and look however a bit worried about brightness of the green. But if you like it - you'll make it work ( you are experienced
    stylist ).  

  • Bijou replied 3 years ago

    I laughed out loud when I heard your husband's suggestion - I am pretty sure my DH would say the same thing. That sentiment, that it is a piece or workwear rather than a fashion statement, is a potential issue with any boilersuit in a traditional workwear colour and style.

    Firecracker, you look great in this piece - the colour and fit really work on you. However, I too prefer the OSKA, which looks refined and a quieter statement piece. As boilersuits are a fringe trend, I think this will have longevity in your wardrobe.

  • Star replied 3 years ago

    This green boilersuit looks absolutely fabulous on you.  Keep for sure.

  • Angie replied 3 years ago

    Sharan, I wore my pink boiler suit all day yesterday - and SOOO COMFY! I LOVE IT! The loo issues were absolutely FINE. Much better than I expected. I wore a camisole like I always do - which helps a lot -  and it's no fussier than wearing my sailor jeans.

    Devil is in the details with these jumpsuits ;)

  • kellygirl replied 3 years ago

    I only voted but I LOVE this. Hope you keep it!

  • smittie replied 3 years ago

    You look great in this. Really nice colour too.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 3 years ago

    I really appreciate the opinions, here--thank you all so much.
    Thank you, Jonesy, Rachylou, Star, and Kellygirl, for chiming in.
    Jenni, yes, you've got it. Kind of like Dad humor. Your comment about the OSKA/ISCHIKO one is on target, too. When I worked for the company, I got to hear the designers talk about their influences, and the ISCHIKO boilersuit was influenced by Korean fisherwomen's culture.
    Jaime, that's an interesting way to look at the color.
    Unfrumped, I appreciate your candor! I think that you and slimcat may be responding to the sheer amount of this color on me, as much as the hue itself. It's a color I would easily wear in a t-shirt, mostly covered by a cardigan, and come to think of it, I had a cardigan in this color at one time. But head-to-toe solid, vivid color IS unusual for me. Something to think about.
    Bijou, yes, that issue with the boilersuit style has been on my mind, too. While I usually like a nice, dark or dusty olive, I steered away from this style in those colors, because I didn't want such a literal association with the flight suit, which some pointed out on Angie's blog post. (I loved Nuancedream's reference to "an extra from Top Gun.") And I appreciate your comments about the OSKA piece being more refined and having longevity.
    Angie, great to hear! Thank you for letting me know.

    I am actually wearing the boilersuit today, I did leave the tag on, just in case. Shhhh! don't tell anyone--haha.

    Like Angie, I find the loo issue less of a bother than I thought it might be. Wearing the cuffs unbuttoned means one less set of buttons to deal wtih. Tying the sleeves loosely in front after removing them makes it easy to keep the garment together, just as if it were a pair of pants.

    Here are some photos from today: with and without outerwear/bag (went out to get breakfast to go); with my color fan; and a closeup to show the necklace I'm wearing with it--a gift from DH a number of years ago. Not an exact match, but close enough!

    Leaning toward keeping, and as Cardiff Girl suggested, I may get the OSKA one as well if this is as comfy and easy to wear as it seems to be so far.

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  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 3 years ago

    Thanks, Smittie!

  • Angie replied 3 years ago

    KILLER styling and HIGH FIVE, Sharan :) 

    You look playfully chic and fab! The green is a nice refresher and update, PLUS you have the perfect support act. What a beautiful wardrobe you have. 

    Adding the Find in extended sizes: 

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 3 years ago

    Thank you, Angie!

  • Greyscale replied 3 years ago

    I love it. The way you’re wearing it in the latest photos, with a hint of white tee under it or a light coat, really balances the green and keeps it from being overwhelming.

    I have the same one in black from a few years ago. I haven’t worn it at all in these days of working from home but it’s high on my list to wear when I get back out in the world. I’ll steal your idea of wearing a pale color top under it to break it up a bit.

  • Jules replied 3 years ago

    I keep writing long responses and not being able to post - but I say keep! I think the green makes for a nice ‘Spring’ update even before temperatures actually get spring-like. I’m admittedly biased because green is my favourite colour and likewise I’ve noticed some people are biased against it due to their personal feelings.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 3 years ago

    Greyscale, thanks! Black is the perfect one for you! I'm glad to have inspired you.
    Jules, high five! I really love green, too. I find it curious and a bit unfortunate that there is so little of it in my color palette. I'm not a total stickler for the palette, though.

  • replied 3 years ago

    Perfect spring color! I like it without the belt :) I had two pink jumpsuits in the 80’s; one satin and one corduroy! Enjoy!

  • shiny replied 3 years ago

    I adore this on you! The green is perfection for you! I vote KEEP! 

    Besides, St Patrick's day is coming up!

  • ChristelJ replied 3 years ago

    It's awesome, especially with sneakers. What's most important is whether you feel happy wearing it. If you do, keep!

  • slim cat replied 3 years ago

    I like it a lot with white pieces that you posted last - fresh spring look with perfect coat! Your eyes and skin look brighter next to the green color - very nice!

  • Suz replied 3 years ago

    What Greyscale said. I LOVE it on you with the bits of white to help break up the green. The green itself is gorgeous on you and such a fun spring refresher! 

  • Christina F. replied 3 years ago

    I am late to the party but I’m glad it sounds like you are keeping this. It’s perfect!

  • replied 3 years ago

    Great color! I like it the most with the white top under too.

  • Minaminu replied 3 years ago

    I think the green jumpsuit is great on you! I like how you kept it fresh with the white combination!

  • Debbie replied 3 years ago

    Perfection! It is a great color on
    You and I love the styling!

  • JAileen replied 3 years ago

    I love your husband’s suggestion!  And on the back, embroider the name of your team, real or imaginary..  I like the green on you, but I would want denim.  “My” green is olive.

  • DonnaF replied 3 years ago

    I am swooning over that green; so hard to find! I haven’t seen you wear that color but it makes me happy that it’s under serious consideration. Looks like it’s a great fit on you.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 3 years ago

    Thanks, everyone, for your comments!
    Janet, DH added a similar suggestion, too, of putting Chevron or Shell on the back. . . . haha.
    Donna, thank you. I think I would wear more of this green if I saw it more often.

     

  • lyn67 replied 3 years ago

    Oh, boiler suit is not my piece of cake and haven't even seen so many IRL (on RL adult women) either so I was always  curious about the back view- but this looks good--just wondered how other's with the  dropped crotch (and structured!) look like. I cannot advice how many times you will wear, but is a good fit& color on you andyou've  styled  it great!

    ETA-this color sage  (or pale mint?) green was really a new thin last year, but I see aditional items continuing to appear this year, too-so may last some seasons and I love it, too! (Already bought 4 pieces in this (a satin geom print skirt, a short sleeve knit sweater to it, a summer ribbed cardi and a scarf.)

  • Sal replied 3 years ago

    Very late but I too love this - it suits your modern edgy but practical style. Great for city biking too.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 3 years ago

    Lyn, thanks for your thoughts! I am unsure what to call this color, too. It's brighter than sage, more green than mint, less yellow and slightly more blue than spring green. I'm thinking of it as summer green.

    Thank you, Sal! Yes, I will wear it to ride my town bike.

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Welcome to my style blog. Dressing is something all of us do each day, but for me it is also a hobby. I like to find new ways to wear the clothes I have, make new clothes to add to my wardrobe (yes, sewing is another hobby!), shop for clothes, read and discuss fashion. Following You Look Fab has fueled my interest in taking outfit pictures to see where I've been and to get different perspectives on style. Thanks for joining me. I always appreciate hearing your thoughts.