FANS:

MEMORIES:

They came in all different styles – long-sleeved, sleeveless, scoop neck, turtle neck, ankle-length, bathing suit-style – but the one thing all these bodysuits had in common was the sleek, tight form that was both comfortable and daring.

 

Trapeze artist, Jules Leotard, developed the first bodysuit in 1859. Made of bulky stretch wool, the one-piece suit had full-length arms and legs, and allowed trapeze artists like Leotard to glide through the air without hems or loose material mucking up their performance. Adaptations of the suit were used by circus performers and dancers and were confined to shows under the big top.

 

In the 1950’s, the beat movement picked up the leotard as a fashion statement in response to traditional, looser-fitting sweater sets. The skin-tight body suit was daring and sexy, and the look picked up speed with designers Mary Quant and Courreges in the ‘60’s. Their micro-miniskirts and outrageous fashions used the leotard as a base layer to provide coverage and comfort under their cutting-edge clothing.

 

Full bodysuits also debuted in the ‘60’s, covering from the neck to the ankle. They were very popular in the space-age entertainment of the decade. Star Trek, Logan’s Run, and Buck Rogers characters all sported bodysuits, as did superheroes like Superman and Batman. It’s always easier to run from the bad guys while in a bodysuit.

 

Bodysuits on women were renamed catsuits. The best-known catsuit was worn by Catwoman on the TV show Batman, and featured black patent leather that was both sexy and powerful. The Avengers’ Emma Peel did her crime fighting in her cut-out black leather catsuit, and cartoon band Josie and the Pussycats conducted their musical adventures in leopard print bodysuits.

 

Leotards in the ‘70’s moved out to the disco floor, featuring shiny spandex and coupled with super-tight satin pants and skinny belts. You could boogie down all night long in these comfortable and sexy outfits.

 

In the ‘80’s, bodysuits took a more casual turn, and got on board with the decade’s aerobics craze. Women marched along to Jane Fonda in pastels and matte cotton lycra, a new material that made the leotards softer and more breathable. These new bodysuits segued into the ‘90’s paired with baggy jeans for a hip-hop look, and Dee-Lite’s Lady Miss Kier combined her psychedelic catsuit with funky platform shoes.

 

Call it a bodysuit, a catsuit, or a leotard - from trapeze artists to hip-hop artists, this comfortable and sexy outfit next goes out of style.