Here's what you need to know about leotards

The mid-19th century saw the rise of French acrobatic performer, Jules Léotard. Why should you know his name? Because he invented the much-loved one-piece shirt that, rightfully so, was named after him. And while the aerialist developed the art of trapeze, the fashion legacy left is the body-hugging leotard that Jules designed to allow maximum freedom of movement during his acrobatics—the leotard. A daring garment, even then. 

Jean-Marie Jules Léotard, born in Toulouse in 1838, was well on the way to becoming a lawyer, but took a completely different career path. He practised his first tricks on the trapeze, which his father, a gymnastics teacher, set up over a swimming pool for the teenager, who was enthusiastic about physical activity. The coup: a jump between two flying trapezes that brought him to the Parisian Circus Napoléon, where he ended his debut with a sensational somersault without a net and only with mattresses for padding. And so, Jules took off to world fame. Tours of Europe and America and, presumably, his skin-tight leotard made him the heartthrob of “L’Amoureuses de Léotard”—Leotard’s lovers. 

In fact, that would also be a good description of the return of the one-piece suit, which has to be worn without hesitation and with fervour. It may not be suitable for sports, but the leotard fully captures the spirit of its namesake, who died in 1870. This is part of the daring appearance where high heels complete the feat. 

Feature image: Yash Raj Films