French acrobatic performer Jules Leotard made the leotard a recognised dancewear item and and while he didn’t name them himself, the word came into use after his death in 1870.
Most of us think of ballet when we hear the word leotard but these days they are more than just the domain of classical ballet dancers. They are worn for dance, circus, aerials, gymnastics and figure skating, and at the gym. They allow freedom of movement like little else can.
Jane Fonda and the fitness craze of the 80’s saw a huge rise in the wearing of lycra but these days they can be made of velvet, metallics, lycra, mesh, lace and more. Actually the only limit really is your imagination.
They are even worn by musicians on stage these days. Demi Lovato, Beyonce, 
Iggy Azalea and many more have made the leotard a stage staple for female pop stars. Of course they probably look a little different to the one you wear to class or for your exams!
For modern styles like Jazz or Tap, rules are often relaxed and allow dancers to add dance shorts to them to make them more comfortable and modest in class or public. There are still very strict rules for Gymnastics competitions though, with limitations on the cut and fabric used.
So which type of leotard do you like best? Plain or fancy? Polo neck or camisole? High cut or low? Whichever you prefer, Firefly has a huge range of leotards to suit you and your needs. With so many colours, styles and fabrics it is super easy to dress a huge group or create a stunning solo outfit for your next concert or performance.
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