Article Fashion

Fashion
like many other things in history
seems to work in cycles. Bell bottoms came back
afros came back
and the shaggy 70’s look came back left and came back again. The cycle continues in dance wear
and it is apparent when you walk into any hip night club or concert: leotards are making a comeback!

The leotard originally peaked during the days of disco and Fonda in the 1970’s. Today
over 30 years later
the one-piece outfit is popping up in fashion magazines
in concerts
and in vintage boutiques. Leotards are making a comeback on the heels of other 70’s and 80’s apparel like leggings and skinny jeans
and the trend is seemingly being embraced by the masses.

The original leotard first appeared in 1859. Named after the creator
a French aerialist
Jules Leotard
it showed up first during a French flying trapeze performance. The first edition of the garment was a hand-knit jersey that covered him from wrist to ankles. In fact
it was more of a unitard than a true leotard. Stories abound about the revealing nature of the garment drawing as many people as the performance itself
which does not venture that far from the truth of today either.

From ballet artists
to showgirls
to lingerie models
leotards went on to become a part of pop culture through the 1960’s and 1970’s. However
as the late 80’s and 90’s passed
leotards were limited to formal ballet performances and rarely showed up in pop music or the night life of major markets once the hair band era moved on. That is all changing now as the first decade of the 21st century marches toward completion.

The one group who don’t have to be told that leotards are making a comeback is superheroes. Many a comic book hero is dressed in standard leotard and cape attire. In fact
it may be argued that Halloween and the affinity of young boys for super heroes is what kept the leotard industry alive through the last decade.

It is true
leotards are making a comeback. Nearly 20 years since hair bands and unitard costumes went the way of the dodo
the leotard look is coming back with performers
dancers
and clubbers alike. The new trend is finding its way into the pop culture consciousness by being simple
sexy
and vintage. Everything in history goes in cycles
including fashion
so it is no surprise the one piece clothing wonder is back. What’s next
moon boots and parachute pants? Stay tuned since the advancement of the leotard can be seen as an announcement that anything can come back as long as pop stars are willing to put them front and center.

So get used to leotards making a comeback. Whether you choose to participate in the vintage movement or not
it is coming. It has been in and been out and back in again since its 19th century trapeze beginnings
which means that leotards are more timeless than most anything in the fashion spectrum.