Editing Skin-tight garment (section)

===Leotard===
In 1886, the name [[leotard]] was given to a one-piece skin-tight garment that covers the [[torso]] including the [[crotch]], but not the legs or arms. The garment was named after French acrobatic performer [[Jules Léotard]] (1838–1870), many years after his death, who wore the garment in his acrobatic act. In the early 20th century, use of leotards was mainly confined to [[circus]] and [[acrobatic]] shows, but were also worn by professional dancers, such as the [[showgirl]]s of [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]]. Leotards on the stage were typically worn 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 in 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, when more colorful leotards appeared on the scene, most often in ballet and exercise.