subject: Gymnastics, Dance And Skating With The Leotard [print this page] This piece of clothing had fairly humble beginnings and in fact had a different name until its creator, Leotard passed away.The first incarnation of the leotard was known as the maillot and is very similar to the garment we see today, in that it is a one piece that is designed to be body tight and free from any additional material that would get in the way of the performer.
As the decades passed by, the leotard was employed for a number of different pursuits. In the 1920s and 1930s bathing in the sea had become really popular. hundreds of people now enjoyed frequent trips to the seaside to have a swim in the sea and enjoy the bracing coastal air as the smog of the inner cities was often abundant and of course bad for the health. It was in fact the leotard that became the main influence on the style of the bathing suits worn.It's apparent even now, as you can see the similarity been between the maillot and a ladies swimming costume.
Over the years the garment made a return to its roots in entertainment, so much so that in the 1950s the leotard in all its traditional glory was donned by the majority of stage performers including circus acts, the showgirls of Broadway.This was the not the end of the leotard's use however, it was seen as a functional piece of clothing that could be worn in a great many circumstances and as such was adopted into the schools of the time as something to be worn for PE or fitness classes.
If we think about it, in which other sports or pastimes do we wear one? Well there is of course dancing and gymnastics, but there is also figure skating, in this case the leotard will generally be long sleeved due to the cold temperatures on the ice.When it comes to dance it is sometimes frowned upon by judges to be seen to be wearing underwear under the leotard and in fact this garment is designed to be worn without underwear as it is cut high above the hip and waistline.
The leotard is synonymous with gymnastics and every participant in competitions is usually expected to wear one whether it is accompanied by tights or leggings or not (in the case of the women athletes).The flexible fabric makes it easy for the gymnast to perform all manner of stretches, twists and turns without the fear of a snagged garment spoiling their performance.The breathable fabric also helps to keep them cool and absorb any perspiration throughout their warm up and practice sessions.
It is very easy to get hold of this piece of clothing and in recent years they have seen a bit of resurgence, all you have to do now is walk down the high street and you will see a great many designs and colours on show.So, from its humble beginnings in the circus, right up to its en vogue present day, the leotard has been with us for a long time and promises to be around for many years to come.
