| items of clothing that are for a specific function are | | | | universally than leotards themselves. |
| originally thought up by people with great skill and | | | | In the early days, leotards were used mainly by circus |
| interest in that area. This is certainly the case with | | | | performers and acrobats, maybe this should not come |
| leotards. Despite falling in and out of popular fashion | | | | as a surprise when its origins are considered. Despite |
| over recent decades, leotards have remained one of | | | | this specialist beginning, leotards in various forms were |
| the ultimate items of clothing for performers of all | | | | soon being for more general exercising. They were |
| kinds. There are widely used in gymnastics, modern | | | | sometimes taken on by sports centres and dance |
| dance, figure skating and various forms of ballet. They | | | | schools as part of an official uniform, in these cases |
| allow for completely natural movement and are neither | | | | leotards were often black in colour and worn with |
| heavy nor cumbersome. | | | | appropriate tights. |
| Jules Leotard performed his aerial debut on the | | | | The style of swimwear in the 1920s and 1930s was |
| trapeze in 1859. Reputably it was not only his incredible | | | | influenced very strongly by the design of leotards, and |
| show that attracted publicity but also the unusual | | | | this influence can still be seen today in many one piece |
| garment that he was wearing. Leotard himself called | | | | swimsuits for women. Leotards themselves were still |
| this a maillot (interestingly this is now a French word | | | | being widely used. Dance performers of the time often |
| for swimsuit). It is said this original was more like a | | | | were often united through this one garment – |
| unitard in that is also covered the legs. It was also hand | | | | from classical ballet to show girls. In the 1970s disco |
| knitted. The word leotard to describe this item of | | | | and aerobics were very much in fashion, as of course |
| clothing is first recorded as being used in 1886. | | | | were the items of clothing associated with them. Not |
| Although the leotard has undergone a number of | | | | least the leotard, which was produced in a huge range |
| changes over the years, it is still basically a one piece, | | | | of- mainly bright- colours and patterns. Materials also |
| skin tight garment that covers the torso. They are | | | | evolved. Although traditional cotton was still widely |
| available with short or long sleeves – or no | | | | used, nylon and Spandex came to the fore. |
| sleeves at all depending on requirement. A point to | | | | Despite occasional reappearances in mainstream |
| consider is that Jules Leotard the performer was | | | | fashion, often prompted by celebrity photo shoots or |
| extremely well known in his day – he was also | | | | videos, leotards are again mainly seen being worn by |
| the inspiration for the song “The Daring young | | | | professional performers. Undoubtedly this item of |
| man on the Flying Trapeze”. This fame may | | | | clothing has made a great impact on the development |
| well have contributed to the leotards popularity. The | | | | of sport and dance clothing, and is still an essential part |
| song itself is still widely known although maybe less | | | | of many performing arts. |
