How to Wear a Terrycloth Jumpsuit [Without Looking Like a Housewife from New Jersey]

by Sammy in 3 Comments — Updated December 1, 2019

Sometimes I have a piece in my collection that I subliminally buy for myself. This terrycloth jumpsuit — straight up 80s-style from the cross neck straps to the elastic waist band and “Metropolitan” brand — is an example of such. Full disclosure: I nabbed this piece for myself from the SDV collection. I hope you don’t mind the indulgence.

Last weekend was a huge one for a good college friend of mine — she was GETTING MARRIED!! Now, mind you, I’m a 24-year-old lady living in one of the least marriage friendly cities in the world [well, don’t quote me on that]. But my point: Not too many of my girlfriends had gotten married yet. Actually, no one had. This was my first “friend” wedding and it was probably the biggest friend wedding I would ever experience, held at the historic & luxurious Hay-Adams Hotel in Washington, D.C. across from THE White House.

So on the day after the wedding, when I had some time to frolic the streets of Georgetown and take in the sights of this below-the-Mason-Dixon-Line city, I only found it appropriate to wear some wedding/White House/it’s-almost-summer-and-I-can’t-wait WHITE.

Read on to learn how I styled this SDV terrycloth jumpsuit so that I didn’t look like a housewife from Northern New Jersey. I was dangerously close, but I think I pulled it off, hipster NYer style. What are your thoughts? Tweet ’em at me or leave ’em in the comments below!

Special thanks to photographer Jesse North for the full-body shots!

80s romper

The full ensemble: Wedding Terrycloth White

HEAD SCARF: I’ve been wearing a lot of head scarves lately. Maybe I’m channeling my inner modesty [or, not …] or maybe I just want to look more hipster than I probably am. Yeah, probably that last one. HOW TO WRAP IT: roll a longer-than-usual-scarf like you were going to whip last someone with it [not recommended]. Then, hold both ends of the scarf and hold it against the back of your head, bring it to the front of your head and wrap it around again to the back. Tie TIGHT and position either in the back of your head or on the side [I prefer the side, it’s like a side ponytail].

SUNGLASSES: 70s chic, SDV & found in Salvation Army in Long Island, NY

JUMPSUIT: “Metropolitan” SDV, found Salvation Army in Lancaster, PA [scroll down for the tag zoom!]

NECKLACE: Twitter handle, @sammyd22, Survival of the Hippest

BELT: SDV white leather belt with vintage crab belt buckles. It’s like I have crabs … only not. Scroll down for the zoomed in shot of this delicious crab buckle. Found on my last thrifting excursion along the Eastern Shore. Watch this VIDEO to learn tips to thrift your own relatives/neighbors/local elderly’s closet and score finds like this

SHOES: Gold kitten toe – some height, some comfort, and a lower sheen needed against the sterile white of the jumpsuit

80s romper

I had to wear an undershirt with this darling, which was unfortunate because it’s a bit exposed in the back. But no worries. Just rock a white one and you’re all good.

80s romper

The added benefit of this jumpsuit: You can totally stretch, bend, kick, jump, squat, etc. in it. Maybe it really was a workout uniform … or not.

vintage crab belt buckle

There they are! MY CRABS!

vintage crab belt buckle

Probably the most detailed crab belt buckle you’ll ever see in your life … down to the claws, every detail is impeccable. The best part about these darlings is that you can remove them from the leather strap and put them on other leather straps to change up the width/color/material. Vintage is versatile, people.

80 romper tag

This label cracks me up — not only because that is clearly a picture of the New York City skyline above the hilarious brand name of “Metropolitan,” but because I bought this jumpsuit at a Sal Val in LANCASTER, PA. Nowhere near the city. Oh, Lanc Lanc … you try offering high fashion, don’t you?

80s romper

Some love to my roommate/wedding date/photographer Mr. Jesse North!

vintage friends

I met up with a good friend from high school, Ms. Kelly Erisman [left] and my THRIFTING SISTER OF THE SOUTH, Ms. Lisa Rowan [in the yellow!] How cute are WE!

I gave Lisa a “sister” belt buckle to mine — WHALES!! Check out her shout out and pic of the belt buckle/gift on her blog here.

3 thoughts on “How to Wear a Terrycloth Jumpsuit [Without Looking Like a Housewife from New Jersey]”

  1. I resent the Northern New Jersey comment, even if it MIGHT hold some truth. But I do think you pulled this outfit off well, when some others couldn’t. I really think confidence is the key to most fashion, don’t you think? I thought the comment you made about the undershirt was interesting, since you didn’t want to wear it, but knew you had to. I don’t like when women’s bra straps show with a spaghetti-strap shirt, so I understand why this would be a pet peeve of yours.

    Jess

    Reply
  2. Super cute and chic! I’m not sure I could pull it off but you definitely did. Bravo. Looking forward to seeing how you rework more fun fashions.. how about harem pants? Or better yet, cropped harem pants?

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  3. I heart the CRABS! This makes me want to go to DC. You make it look fab.

    Reply

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