Like Everything Else 80's, Leotards Are Making A
Comeback!
Author: Jack Peterson

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.


About The Author: Jack Peterson has an interest in Sports
related topics. To access more information on
http://www.healthreading.com/category/sports/ or on
http://www.healthreading.com/2006/06/11/leotard2/, please click
on the links.