Ways I've Worn the Cocoon Jumpsuit (Ice Cream version.)
How to construct an outfit around the Cocoon Jumpsuit. I've split this one into Winter and Summer...
When I sat down to decide which Stalf garment to start with for this new feature, I knew I had to start with the ultimate, the QUEEN, the quintessential Stalf piece- The Cocoon Jumpsuit, and of course it had to be Ice Cream.
I launched this colour before any of the other colours existed- even before the black version! The Cocoon Jumpsuit in Ice Cream was the number 1, very first item I launched when I rebranded my business and launched Stalf (hardcore followers will remember the times before we abbreviated- Stella & Alf, what a mouthful!!)
So yes, for as long as there has been Stalf, there has been the Ice Cream Cocoon Jumpsuit. It’s the garment that represents everything I wanted to create with the brand right at the very beginning and everything I still hold at the core of my design process to this day.
Here are the bare facts.
Garment Name- Cocoon Jumpsuit in Ice Cream.
Fabric Composition- 60% Cotton 40% Linen, 346 gsm.
Fabric Origin- Northern Ireland.
Design Details- Simple “Cocoon” shape, meaning the side seams bend in a smooth curve out across the hips and narrow down towards the ankles. Minimal construction, no fastenings, pull on design with the most satisfying, deep pockets. Looks great turned up at the ankle IMO.
Handmade at The Pink Studio? - Yep.
Would Wear To- Literally anything. I mean it. It’s a wardrobe chameleon.
This is what it looks like on the models…
I would say I wear this piece once a week. Sometimes I get attached to it and will wear it four days straight. Then I’ll leave it a wee while and maybe even wash it before digging it out again (joke!)
It’s a solid all rounder. Regardless of the season or weather, this piece gets an outing. In Ice Cream, some would argue the Cocoon Jumpsuit is not so Winter appropriate (I’ve had this conversation on repeat with customers in the shop here at The Pink Studio.) Perhaps it’s because to me, pale pink is a neutral- a crucial and classic component of my everyday wardrobe- but in my mind the Ice Cream Cocoon Jumpsuit works just as well with a chunky knit and boots as it does solo-in-the-sunshine with nothing but a jewellery accompaniment.
For Winter, the Cocoon Jumpsuit is the main player in your layering match. Its all about what you sandwich it between.
I know it’s August right now, and we want to forget that winter exists (what a shitshow July was weather-wise) But I’m going to take 5 to break down my logic when it comes to layering the Cocoon Jumpsuit for Winter.
For the base I go for a white vest as standard. In fact, as I write more of these styling articles, you’re going to realise I am nothing without a sturdy white, ribbed vest. I have about 12. All the same. Worn over my bra and under whatever Stalf comes next, be it January or June. This is my favourite one. Washes well and you can wear and wear and wear. On top of the vest comes the Cocoon. If it’s really damp and cold, you can happily go for a sneaky thermal/legging underneath the bottom half.
What I love about the Cocoon Jumpsuit as a layering piece is its gorgeous texture. It’s a cotton/linen mix, in a denim weight, with a chunky weave and it has a beautiful, slightly rugged feel.
I like to mix up the textures of an outfit, especially when layering.
So far, we have white cotton rib followed by Ice Cream Cocoon. Next I’ll often go for a crisp linen or cotton shirt. I prefer linen personally, always in a light weight so that the weave and texture will contrast well (and thus pair well) with all my heavyweight linen Stalf. Over the shirt goes a knit or a shacket. For a beautiful knit, I love Aja Barber’s collab with Lora Gene. I’ve also got my eye on this one from Tach and would love to find this Farm Rio cardi from a few seasons ago second hand somewhere. The Cardi from Stalf (see worn above in Frosty Lilac) also works well at this point of the layering sandwich.
For shacket options, the purple one above is Carharrt and is actually Sam’s (for those of you who don’t know, Sam is my very long term boyfriend and father of my two kids- what exactly do you call one of those when you’re not married and “partner” sounds too… something??) I also have a couple of great shackets which are vintage, one in particular is a gorgeous, red velvet, quilted affair and is great with the Ice Cream.
To top everything off, I go for a cosy coat. I bought a duvet-of-a-coat in the sale from Marimekko earlier this summer, and the Jimi Hendrix-esque beauty I’m wearing in the pic above is by Zazi Vintage. I think they’ve since stopped making these gorgeous artisan coats, but I bought mine second hand and I’m sure you can find them if you scour the internet thoroughly enough.
For footwear in Winter, I am pretty devoted to my DMs. I have two pairs of their black suede boots, one lace up, one chelsea boot style, which have seen me through 3 winters now and have manyyyyy more years to go.
Summer is an entirely more simple affair when it comes to the Cocoon Jumpsuit. I usually get to midway through July and lament the absence of an Autumn chill- warm weather negates the need to layer and often leads to one or two garment formulas for an everyday look… One Cocoon Jumpsuit. Done. One Stalf Dress. Done. One Midi Skirt (plus obligatory ribbed vest.) Done. This will sound great to many of you, I’m sure, and I am also someone who yearns for Summer in the depths of January, but there’s something about the shoulder months - Autumn and Spring are my faves to dress for- that gets me excited for endless outfit combinations without the constaints of being too hot or absolutely freezing. Is that just me?
So as you will see, the inspo gallery below for Summer styling your Ice Cream Cocoon Jumpsuit is decidedly less visually-delicious, but certainly proves my point that the Cocoon Jumpsuit in Summer needs very little else… a pair of Tevas here, a bejewelled hairclip there, perhaps a pair of chunky hoops.
I do like a loose linen shirt layered in Summer, worn open like a jacket. Or as above, the Stalf Tie Top pairs well with the Jumpsuit. Obviously we are never far from a full length raincoat in the UK (mine is from Rains and has come in particularly handy since my eldest started school last September and I realised that the heavens ALWAYS open at 3.30pm sharp.)
For shoes to pair with your Jumpsuit through summer, I favour sandals. Teva is my latest discovery and is where I cashed in my sandal money this year (I know I’m late to the party, happens often.) Last year I spent considerably more on a pair of Acne sandals (worn with the Stalf Tie Top above) which were great and have had another good innings again this summer. The year before, I’d guess it was ye olde faithful Birkenstocks. (Still thinking of the pair I’m lusting after in this month’s Love List.)
In terms of colour palette, you’re going to find that a lot pairs well with the pearly paleness of the Ice Cream. All other shades of pink get a straight “yes” from me, as do denim, black and classic stripes. Soft grey is especially pretty with the Ice Cream, and a gunmetal colour offsets perfectly. Crisp white is a yes, obviously and the Ice Cream holds its own really well with pattern, print and bold shades… on and on I go, the list is endless.
So here ends my round up of quick tips and the thought process I go through when it comes to constructing an outfit around the Ice Cream Cocoon Jumpsuit.
I hope this has been helpful!
Bye ‘til next time.
Paris.