What the heck is… a “leotard?”

…And why do dancers have to wear them? A leotard is…

…a skin-tight one-piece garment that covers the torso. Dancers wear them because they’re easy to move around in. But dancers aren’t the only ones who wear them–figure skaters, gymnasts and other athletes also wear them both during practices, competitions and rehearsals.

They were first created in 1886, but were confined to circus performers (People were so stuffy back then!). They were very influential in the styling of bathing suits in the ’20s and ’30s and eventually became the favorite garments of Broadway showgirls.