View source for Leotard

{{Short description|One-piece garment that covers the torso}}
{{Distinguish|Léotard|Liotard|Lyotard}}
{{More citations needed|date=February 2020}}
[[Image:Jules Léotard 3.jpg|thumb|[[Jules Léotard]] in the garment that bears his name]]

A '''leotard''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|l|iː|ə|t|ɑːr|d}}) is a [[unisex]] [[skin-tight]] one-piece [[garment]] that covers the [[torso]] from the [[crotch]] to the [[shoulder]]. The garment was made famous by the French [[acrobatics|acrobatic]] performer [[Jules Léotard]] (1838–1870). There are sleeveless, short-sleeved, and long-sleeved leotards. A variation is the [[unitard]], which also covers the legs. It provides a degree of modesty and style while allowing for freedom of movement.

Leotards are worn by acrobats, [[gymnast]]s, [[dancer]]s, [[figure skaters]], [[athletes]], actors, [[wrestlers]], and [[circus]] performers both as practice garments and performance [[costume]]s. They are often worn with ballet skirts on top and [[tights]]<ref name="tights">{{cite web |last=ibteachin |date=Sep 29, 2010 |title=one kid just doesn't get it: tights ARE underwear. Help! |url=http://www.dance.net/topic/9260948/1/Ask-a-Teacher/one-kid-just-doesn-t-get-it-tights-ARE-underwear-Help.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110033306/http://www.dance.net/topic/9260948/1/Ask-a-Teacher/one-kid-just-doesn-t-get-it-tights-ARE-underwear-Help.html |archive-date=10 Nov 2013 |access-date=8 April 2012 |website=dance.net}}</ref> or sometimes [[bike shorts]] as underwear. As a casual garment, a leotard can be worn with a belt and under overalls or short skirts.

Leotards are entered by stepping into the legs and pulling the sleeves over the shoulders. [[Scoop neckline|Scoop-necked]] leotards have wide neck openings and are held in place by the garment's elasticity. Others are [[crew neck]]ed or [[polo neck]]ed and close at the back of the neck with a [[zipper]] or snaps.

==Use==
Leotards are used for a variety of purposes, including [[yoga]], exercise, dance (particularly for ballet and modern), as [[pajamas]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marc |first=Jacobs |date=6 May 2022 |title=The Reasons For Different People To Wear Leotards |url=https://www.speerise.com/blogs/news/the-reasons-for-different-people-to-wear-leotards |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=Speerise |language=en}}</ref> for additional layered warmth under clothing, and recreational and casual wear. They may form a part of children's dressing-up and play outfits and can also be worn as a top.[[File:Ballet Dancer Performing in Studio (17240209739) (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|A [[ballet dancer]] in a black leotard and white tights]]

Leotards are commonly worn in figure skating, postwar [[modern dance]], [[acrobatic rock'n'roll]], traditional ballet and gymnastics, especially by young children. Practice leotards and those worn in [[podium training]] sessions are usually sleeveless. Female competition garments for gymnastics and skating are almost always long-sleeved. In contrast, male competition leotards may be sleeved or sleeveless, the latter more common in gymnastics, the former in figure skating. Leotards come in many styles — either with a full seated bottom or as a [[thong]] or T-front thong for maximum comfort and avoidance of visible [[panty lines]] when worn under leggings or tights.

==History==
[[Image:Beyonce - The Formation World Tour, at Wembley Stadium in London, England.jpg|left|thumb|upright|Singer [[Beyoncé]] wears a sparkly leotard with fishnet tights during her performance in London, July 2016.]]

The first known use of the name ''leotard'' came only in 1886, 16 years after [[Jules Léotard]]'s death. Léotard called the garment a ''[[wiktionary:maillot#French|maillot]]'', a general French word for different types of tight-fitting shirts or sports shirts. In the early 20th century, leotards were mainly confined to [[circus]] and [[acrobatic]] shows, worn by the specialists who performed these acts.

Leotards influenced the style of [[swimsuit]] in the 1920s and 1930s, and women's [[one-piece swimsuit]] today still resemble leotards in appearance.

Leotards are worn by professional dancers such as the [[showgirl]]s of [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]]. Stage use of the leotard typically coordinates the garment with [[stockings]] or tights.

In the 1950s, traditionally-styled leotards continued to be worn mainly by stage performers and circus actors, but leotards began to be used as simple and functional exercise garments, often in institutional settings like schools and fitness training. These were almost always black and worn together with thick tights. Between 1950 and 1970, leotards remained as such in appearance until a style change in the 1970s, with more colorful leotards appearing on the scene, most often in ballet and exercise.

Leotards were a staple in [[aerobic exercise]] attire during the 1970s and 1980s, but their popularity waned in the 1990s as they were largely replaced by Lycra pants, similar to those worn by cyclists. By the 2000s, they had given way to trousers and [[leggings]], which offered a more modern and flexible alternative. Nevertheless, leotards continue to be worn by female [[Cycling|cyclists]] and athletes in competitive events, where their functionality and comfort remain valued.

In the late 2010s, leotards began to be frequently worn by pop stars in their performances, such as [[Beyonce]], [[Little Mix]], and [[Taylor Swift]].

==Crossover to fashion activewear==
[[File:Aerobic exercise - public demonstration12.jpg|right|thumb|Typical aerobic exercise wear of the 1980s]]

By the late 1970s, leotards had become common both as exercise and [[street wear]], popularized by the [[disco]] craze, and [[aerobics]] [[1980s in fashion#Aerobics craze|fashion craze]] of the time. These leotards were produced in a variety of [[nylon]] and [[spandex]] materials, as well as the more traditional cotton previously used for uni-colored leotards and tights. Exercise videos by celebrities such as [[Jane Fonda]] also popularized the garment. The dancewear company Danskin flourished during this period, producing various leotards for both dance and streetwear. Other companies, such as [[Gilda Marx]], produced leotards during this period and then ceased production when they ceased to be in fashion. By the late 1980s, leotards for exercise wear had become little more than bikini bottoms with straps over the shoulders, generally worn with cropped shirts. From the mid-1980s to mid 90s, leotards usually cap sleeved style or sometime in colder weather a long sleeved turtleneck style both popularly worn as tops with jeans especially skinny jeans and high waisted ankle length mom jeans, under [[shortalls]] or with casual or dress pants as part of everyday wear.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1990 Sears Christmas Book, Page 191 |url=https://christmas.musetechnical.com/ShowCatalogPage/1990-Sears-Christmas-Book/0191 |access-date=2021-01-31 |website=Christmas Catalogs & Holiday Wishbooks}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1993 JCPenney Christmas Book, Page 171 |url=https://christmas.musetechnical.com/ShowCatalogPage/1993-JCPenney-Christmas-Book/0171 |access-date=2021-01-31 |website=Christmas Catalogs & Holiday Wishbooks}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1993 JCPenney Christmas Book, Page 165 |url=https://christmas.musetechnical.com/ShowCatalogPage/1993-JCPenney-Christmas-Book/0165 |access-date=2021-01-31 |website=Christmas Catalogs & Holiday Wishbooks}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1992 Sears Spring Summer Catalog, Page 36 |url=https://christmas.musetechnical.com/ShowCatalogPage/1992-Sears-Spring-Summer-Catalog/0036 |access-date=2021-01-31 |website=Christmas Catalogs & Holiday Wishbooks}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1992 Sears Spring Summer Catalog, Page 37 |url=https://christmas.musetechnical.com/ShowCatalogPage/1992-Sears-Spring-Summer-Catalog/0037 |access-date=2021-01-31 |website=Christmas Catalogs & Holiday Wishbooks}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1992 Sears Spring Summer Catalog, Page 10 |url=https://christmas.musetechnical.com/ShowCatalogPage/1992-Sears-Spring-Summer-Catalog/0010 |access-date=2021-01-31 |website=Christmas Catalogs & Holiday Wishbooks}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1986 Sears Fall Winter Catalog, Page 40 |url=https://christmas.musetechnical.com/ShowCatalogPage/1986-Sears-Fall-Winter-Catalog/0040 |access-date=2021-01-31 |website=Christmas Catalogs & Holiday Wishbooks}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1986 Sears Fall Winter Catalog, Page 41 |url=https://christmas.musetechnical.com/ShowCatalogPage/1986-Sears-Fall-Winter-Catalog/0041 |access-date=2021-01-31 |website=Christmas Catalogs & Holiday Wishbooks}}</ref> They were also worn with skirts outfits.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1994 JCPenney Christmas Book, Page 168 |url=https://christmas.musetechnical.com/ShowCatalogPage/1994-JCPenney-Christmas-Book/0168 |access-date=2021-01-31 |website=Christmas Catalogs & Holiday Wishbooks}}</ref> By the mid-1990s, leotards had been almost completely replaced for exercise wear by the [[sports bra]] and [[shorts]].

==Gymnastics attire==
===Women===
[[File:Erika Fasana, 2010.jpg|thumb|upright|Gymnast [[Erika Fasana]] wearing a leotard, 2010]]

For women, the standard gymnastic competition uniform is a leotard.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Gymnastics and Leotards |url=http://uniqueleotards.wordpress.com/ |access-date=18 February 2018 |website=}}</ref> Traditionally, competition leotards have always had long sleeves; however, half-length sleeved and sleeveless garments are now permitted under the ''[[Code of Points (gymnastics)|Code of Points]]'' and have been worn by teams at the [[Gymnastics World Championships]] and other significant events. Practice leotards and those worn in podium training sessions are generally sleeveless.

In the 1970s, leotards were typically made from [[polyester]] and related fabrics. Since the 1980s, however, they have been made from lycra or spandex. Since the 1990s, leotards have become more elaborate and have employed a variety of textiles, including [[velvet]], [[velour]], [[mesh]], metallic fabrics, foils, and iridescent "hologram" fabric. They can also be decorated with [[rhinestone]]s and metallic jewels that are heat-set onto the garments and will not fall or wash off.{{Citation needed|date=November 2010}}

Leotards that conform to regulations cannot be cut above hip height or past the shoulder blades, back, or front. Any somewhat see-through leotard is also against the rules. Usage of white tights is not standard. In rare instances, gymnasts and teams have been penalized with score deductions for their attire.<ref>{{cite web |title=Women's Artistic Gymnastics Junior Olympic Code of Points |url=https://usagym.org/PDFs/Women/Rules/J.O.%20Code%20of%20Points/revisedpages_053018_text.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731200532/https://usagym.org/PDFs/Women/Rules/J.O.%20Code%20of%20Points/revisedpages_053018_text.pdf |archive-date=31 July 2021 |access-date=31 July 2021 |website=USA Gymnastics}}</ref>
[[File:Leotard used by Simone Biles and Rebeca Andrade at the Olympic Games on display at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne.jpg | thumb | right | Leotards used by gymnasts [[Simone Biles]] and [[Rebeca Andrade]] at the [[Olympic Games]] on display at the [[Olympic Museum]] in Lausanne]]

===Men===
[[Image:Ivan ivankov - pommel horse - 2000.jpg|thumb|right|[[Ivan Ivankov]] wearing a male gymnastics uniform]]

For competitions, male gymnasts wear two layers of clothing. The first, a [[Wrestling singlet|singlet]] (or comp shirt, short for competition shirt), is a sleeveless garment like a leotard. For floor and vault, gymnasts wear a pair of very short shorts over the singlet. For their other events, they wear a pair of long pants attached to the bottom of their feet with stirrups.

Unlike women's uniforms, which generally employ metallic or iridescent fabrics, men's uniforms are usually matte-colored and less ornate. Singlets usually employ one or more of the national team colors, but there are no restrictions on design. Shorts and pants are generally solid, typically white, blue, red, or black.

===History===
[[Olympic gymnastics]] team leotards have dramatically changed from their first memorable designs. Over time, the emphasis on what leotards are intended to do has changed. Originally, the intent was to cover as much of a woman's body as possible, while today, leotards must breathe, improve aerodynamics, and seamlessly re-shape as female athletes bend, twist, and contort their way through increasingly difficult routines.<ref>{{cite web |title=The History of Leotards, and Leotards in the 2012 Olympics |url=http://www.olympicleotards.com |access-date=18 February 2018 |website=Olympic Leotards}}</ref>

==Men's leotards==
When Léotard created the ''maillot'', it was intended for men. This style of leotard can be seen in early 20th-century photos of the circus [[Strongman (strength athlete)|strong man]]. Men's leotards evolved along with the women's style, eventually resembling it, except that the men's version had a slightly lower-cut leg opening and a lower-cut front.

Unlike their female counterparts, however, men's leotards come in two styles—with a full seated bottom or as a thong. The reason for this is apparent when worn with tights, such as in ballet, where lines created by the garment underneath the tights may be considered unsightly. A [[dance belt]] is also worn in such instances.

Leotards are commonly worn by male dancers (particularly for ballet) and gymnasts. Leotard-like garments (often of the "biketard" or singlet type) are also often worn by men in sports such as rowing, wrestling, cycling, and running to maintain a tight fit and prevent the upper part of the clothing from running up.

During the [[Dangerous World Tour]], American superstar [[Michael Jackson]] wore a gold leotard.

==See also==
* [[Athleisure]]
* [[Bodystocking]]
* [[Bodysuit]]
* [[Catsuit]]
* [[Concerns and controversies at the 2020 Summer Olympics#Swim caps and women's uniforms]]
* [[Jumpsuit]]
* [[Spandex]]
* [[Sportswear]]
* [[Underwear as outerwear]]
* [[Wrestling singlet]]
{{Clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category inline|Leotards}}

{{Hosiery}}
{{Clothing}}
{{Ballet}}

[[Category:1980s fashion]]
[[Category:2010s fashion]]
[[Category:Costume design]]
[[Category:Dancewear]]
[[Category:History of Western fashion]]
[[Category:Hosiery]]
[[Category:One-piece suits]]
[[Category:Tops (clothing)]]
[[Category:French inventions]]