jumpsuits

Ashley Madekwe never ceases to deliver on-trend looks. At last night's BAFTA event at Topshop in LA, the actress took the overalls comeback for a real-world test drive in Topshop's checkered jumpsuit ($110). Her expert styling skills relied on a chic pair of black ankle-strap sandals, a black clutch, a gold necklace, and a simple gold bangle to dress it up, albeit with a minimalist twist. If you're looking for the most polished play on overalls, score Ashley's exact jumpsuit — and style it up or down. Want to know how? Just refer to our simple tips below:

• For a casual daytime look, sport Ashley's jumpsuit with a tee, denim jacket, and flat sandals. Throw on a baseball cap for a sporty edge.
• Follow Ashley's lead for evening and dress it up with ankle-strap heels. Add a sharp blazer and a statement necklace to polish it off.

There's always that lingering question of whether or not we can actually pull off the jumpsuit look. We know the onesie silhouette isn't for everyone, mostly because it's not easy to keep a svelte shape in a billowy-cut bodysuit. That's why we're looking to Kate Moss's latest jumpsuit look for solid styling inspiration. The British supermodel loves herself a great jumpsuit — we've seen her wear everything from glitter-infused disco iterations to slinky black silk versions — and her most recent take on the trend is right on point for Fall and for paying extra attention to form-enhancing tricks. Kate's whole look is a serious nod to military-inspired dressing, with the olive-green hue, subtle button-front detailing, and Sgt. Pepper coat providing utilitarian appeal.

But here's where you should pay attention: she not only maintained a flattering shape by way of topping off her jumpsuit with a well-tailored coat (keep it cut close to the body!), but she also cinched her waistline with a statement belt. It drew the eye in but didn't "shorten" her torso. It's important to create curves without overwhelming the play on proportions. Let's also talk about the underrated importance of getting the shoe just right. Her ankle-cut bootie gave the shapeless pant leg a more tapered look, which in turn veered away from a shapeless jumpsuit, yet another way to avoid falling victim to the jumpsuit's hard-to-wear stereotype. Even if you're not into military references, the styling equation is simple. Cinch the waist, keep your outerwear streamlined and cut close to the body, and opt for footwear that gives your leg shape. Now that you've got the tips, time to shop for the perfect suit. Our editors' picks below should help you along the way.

Let Gwyneth Paltrow be our latest example of the jumpsuit trend done right. At last night's Women in Film pre-Oscar event in LA, Gwyneth donned a black Boy. by Band of Outsiders tuxedo jumpsuit. The plunging neckline is a risque touch, but notice how she tempered the sexy silhouette with one strong statement necklace and black and gold Jimmy Choo platform sandals. The result is a modern, yet sultry evening ensemble. Read on to see how you can achieve the same look, then shop similar items below.

• Do not overaccessorize. Stick to one key statement piece, like an oversized cuff or standout pendant — we love how Gwyneth adorned her look with a gold shark tooth necklace — and black heels to elongate your body.
• Choose a flattering silhouette. Draped shapes and jumpsuits cut closer to the body are the most flattering fit.
• Style the look with a tailored black or white blazer for a chic office-to-evening ensemble.

More Halston...

Jumpsuits have a reputation for being hard to wear — and can send normally confident, fashion-forward women into a tizzy — but if you just give one a try, you may be pleasantly surprised by how simple and versatile they are. We saw the seventies-inspired look on Resort runways from designers like Stella McCartney, 3.1. Phillip Lim, and Céline, proving that the trend definitely has legs. Jumpsuits look best when they're not too tight, and use little accessorizing. If you're totally new to the trend, try pairing one under a leather jacket or fitted blazer for a bit more subtlety. Ready to get a jump on the trend? Click below to shop some of our favorite pieces, all under $100.