Editing Leotard (section)

==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]].