In an article from 2005, The New York Times declared that Camilla Parker-Bowles ‘usually looks as if she would be more comfortable walking through fields in mud-spattered Wellington boots than trussed into an evening gown or bejewelled stiletto heels’. These days, not so much.
At last weekend’s Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Birmingham the 75-year-old Duchess of Cornwall wore black heels, pearl earrings, and a long, wide-leg, navy jumpsuit with white piping and a v-neck zip. She looked great. ‘OMG Camilla’s jumpsuit,’ tweeted one Parker Bowles enthusiast @toriaa_h. ‘Slay the house down Cam!’
It’s not the first time the Duchess of Cornwall has worn the one-piece, she also whipped it out on a royal tour of New Zealand in 2019. Unluckily for Camilla copy cats, it was handmade by the royal-favourite couturier, Anna Valentine, and is one-of-a-kind. But this £69 jumpsuit from Coast looks pretty similar and is (woop!) 65% off.
Sure, jumpsuits have one glaring problem: it’s a faff to go to the loo. But, provided you get something with buttons, or a front-facing zip, they’re actually a much easier – and more flattering – option for formal wear than you might think. And, as Parker Bowles proves, they work on all ages. Here are the six best one-pieces the high street has to offer…
The best high street jumpsuits
Jumpsuit, £140, Anthropologie
Linen wide-leg jumpsuit, £89, Marks & Spencer
Denim jumpsuit, £89 (was £159), Whistles
Long satin print jumpsuit, £69.99, Mango
Towelling jumpsuit, £105 (was £150), Me + Em
