When Italian painter and sculptor Ernesto Michahelles, better known as Thayaht, launched his "tuta" (T-shaped overalls), he accompanied this functional garment with a slogan, "Tutti in tuta" (Everbody in overalls). While at the time not everybody opted for his design (yet he still sold over 1,000 "tuta" paper patterns in the first weeks after the launch of this garment), the tuta (with or without sleeves) became a timeless design that never went out of fashion.
One popular producer of this item was the Italian ready-to-wear brand Lellasport. In the '50s this boutique was based in the heart of Milan, in San Pietro all’Orto and it was founded by former ski champion Domenico Lella, with his wife Valeria Carema and his sister Francesca, also known as Cicci. The boutique was a way for Domenico to continue the family tradition since his parents, Michele and Gemma Lella, moved from Bari to Milan where, after the Second World War, they managed a series of popular fashion shops that sold bags and accessories (it may be worth remembering that Domenico's brother Pino had an adventurous life since, as a young man, he joined an underground railroad helping Jews escape over the Alps and secretely acted as a spy while working as a driver for a German general – his life is told in Mark Sullivan's novel Beneath a Scarlet Sky).
The boutique then opened a small workshop in Corsico, followed by a proper factory that started producing its own collections focusing on casual garments and sportswear, including anoraks, jackets, trousers, jumpers and colourful shirts, swimwear and equestrian clothing.
Cicci continued working for Lellasport when Domenico died in 1974 and also founded her own brand Cicci R. Lella. Lellasport ceased to exist in 1998 when it was incorporated in another company.
The two jumpsuits, published in this post were produced when Lellasport was extremely popular, in 1960, the first one was dedicated to dynamic women who loved bright colours, it came indeed in a bold sherbet yellow shade, it was cinched at the waist with a belt and characterised by an ample sailor collar (in this picture the design was accessorised with a large wicker basket bag by Sala).
The second image featured in this post shows instead another Lellasport design, a sleeveless and fitted jumpsuit in denim blue, but with a twist added – the fabric chosen for this garment was indeed shantung that subverted the basic minimalism of the design and made it look more elegant.