| When Jules Leotard created the Maillot it was initially | | | | athletes and acrobats including; gymnasts, dancers |
| intended for men. If you do a little research you will | | | | and even thespians. You'll definitely see them at the |
| find that as early as the 1920's, photos of the circus | | | | circus and they are often worn with other garments, |
| "strong man" showed the man himself wearing this | | | | some have long sleeves and those with legs and |
| style of leotard. In fact, men's leotards evolved along | | | | arms are called a unitard. |
| with the women's style, eventually resembling it, | | | | As the leotard is a one piece garment it must usually |
| except that the men's version had a slightly lower cut | | | | be entered through the neck opening, this is a little |
| leg opening and a lower cut front. | | | | different to a body suit as they generally have a |
| I know what you are all thinking, but I never see a | | | | snap at the crotch so you can pull it on over your |
| man in a leotard anymore. What actually happened is | | | | head. Or they resemble a body sock and so you |
| that although the style of men and women's leotard | | | | step into the legs and then zip up the back of the |
| was pretty much the same, the popularity of the | | | | suit to close. |
| women's version in the late 1970s led to the decline | | | | So what else can leotards be used for? Well men and |
| in them being used by male dancers, this was most | | | | women wear them for yoga, running or other |
| prevalent in the United States and although some | | | | cardiovascular exercises, dance and ballet. Figure |
| companies did continue to produce version for men, | | | | skating also features a leotard, generally long sleeved |
| the sales of women's leotards was their main focus. | | | | due to the cold temperatures on the ice. It is also |
| So what do women and, to a lesser extent men, do | | | | frowned upon to wear underwear under the leotard |
| when they are wearing them? What are the benefits | | | | and in fact the leotard is designed to be worn |
| for the wearer? Well, firstly they are breathable and | | | | without underwear as it is cut high above the hip and |
| very light to wear, great for athletes, but the most | | | | waistline. Some dance schools have banned wearing |
| practical applications for their use are still dance, | | | | underwear and indeed in competition points can be |
| theatre, and exercise. This has extended to | | | | deducted for visible underwear during a performance |
| under-clothing garments, in addition to recreational | | | | or routine. So as you can see the humble leotard has |
| and casual wear in children and adults alike. Unlike the | | | | had quite a journey, has been used for a wide range |
| historical tendency for men to wear tights over the | | | | of activities and still is to this day. It's been noted |
| leotard, it is now the standard for both men and | | | | that even men are starting to don the garment more |
| women to wear tights under the leotard. | | | | often again as professional dance becomes more and |
| Nowadays leotards are worn by a wide variety of | | | | more popular. |