Stephanie Okereke Bundles Up in an All-Black Overall with Heeled Boots

There are certain fashion memories that never really fade. They live quietly in the back of our minds, ready to be stirred up by a single look, a single outfit. For many of us, that memory begins in the 90s, with overalls and rompers; those carefree, one-piece outfits we wore as kids without a second thought. They were playful, easy, and captured the essence of youth.

As we grew older, the style grew with us. Suddenly, overalls made way for something edgier, something that felt sharper and more mature; a longer jumpsuit. Not the sleek, body-skimming silhouettes we admire on runways today, but the rugged, practical versions, boxy shapes with chest pockets, more utility than glamour.

And yet, back then, they were everything. A quiet rebellion against complicated fashion rules. A shortcut to looking cool without needing to try too hard. Everyone owned one, everyone wore one, and for a while, they felt like the ultimate style hack.

But as quickly as the overall trend peaked, they were pushed aside. Jumpsuits were folded away, dismissed as just another passing trend, overshadowed by the next glossy look splashed across magazine covers or paraded in music videos. They became a relic of the past; something we once loved, but no longer reached for.

And now, just like that, nostalgia came rushing back, not from fashion week, but from actress and filmmaker Stephanie Okereke-Linus. In one striking post, she reminded us why jumpsuits once held so much power.

Dressed head-to-toe in an all-black jumpsuit, styled with pointed heeled boots, sleek hair, and dark shades, she redefined the look. Suddenly, the jumpsuit was no longer a childhood relic or a forgotten fad, it was a bold, commanding statement. With ease and elegance, Stephanie showed us that overall dressing can still carry the same magic it once did, only now with a grown-up class that’s impossible to ignore.

The filmmaker stepped out in an all-black overall that instantly turned heads. It was sleek and structured, cinched at the waist with a belt that showed off her figure while keeping the look polished. On her feet, a pair of heeled boots gave the outfit that extra edge; sharp, commanding, and runway-ready. She added just the right finishing touches: oversized sunglasses and minimal accessories to complement her outfit.

Her beauty look was exactly what we’ve come to expect from Stephanie: flawless skin, sleek, long, kinky hair, and makeup that framed her natural features without trying to compete with the boldness of her outfit.

And of course, her caption sealed the deal: “Boss mode activated, own today and the rest will follow. Confidence is contagious, so catch it, and when it fits like a jumpsuit the world can’t help but stare.” In one post, she managed to make the jumpsuit feel not just like a fashion choice, but a symbol of confidence itself.

Seeing her in that outfit felt like a full-circle moment. It brought back flashes of our teenage jumpsuit craze, but this time, all grown up. Where once the look was casual and rebellious, the film-maker showed it can also be refined, feminine, and unapologetically powerful.

The overall trends in 2025 are no longer just nostalgic throwbacks. They’re versatile fashion statements, equally at home dressed down with sneakers or elevated with heels, just as Stephanie styled hers. Don’t be surprised when you start seeing jumpsuits everywhere this fall, from runways to streetwear.

Not long before this fashion moment, the Nollywood star, in her role as chairperson of the Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC),  announced that submissions are open for Nigeria’s entry into the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards. It’s a huge moment for Nigerian cinema, one that places local filmmakers on a global stage. 

Between August 13 and September 12, 2025, filmmakers can submit their works through the NOSC portal, with eligibility requiring feature-length films produced outside the U.S., at least half the dialogue in a non-English language (yes, Nigerian Pidgin English counts), and a qualifying theatrical release.

This just shows how dynamic Stephanie Okereke-Linus can be. One minute, she’s giving us serious style inspiration, reigniting our love for the overall in 2025. In another, she’s making cultural waves, opening doors for Nigerian films to claim space on one of the world’s biggest stages: the Oscars, and beyond. Nobody embodies that duality better than Stephanie.

Boss mode activated, indeed.

Photo: Instagram/Stephanielinus