One-Piece Garments: All That You Must Know

Sports and dance clothing are as interesting as can be. As such, the famous one-piece garment, the leotard, is well-known in the dancing and sporting communities. This garment covers the upper half of the body. It extends from the crotch to the torso and leaves the legs uncovered, making it the perfect garment to dance or perform extensions. So, in this article, let’s look into the history of one-piece clothes.

Invention

Jules Leotard, in his passion for performing trapeze, brilliantly designed a tightly-fitted one-piece garment. The idea behind this was to flaunt his physique and to have free movement while performing the act. This garment was called maillot initially but is now known by his surname. 

The maillot garment design was initially worn by men and became famous after his trapeze performance in a circus. However, these garments have taken on a unisex trend of late and are worn by both men and women for various events. These are now specifically designed for various purposes and are worn for performing ice skating, acting, cycling, gymnastics, and dance.

Circus performers and acrobats still perform acts in these outfits, and the current one-piece swimming suit of women has references from them.

Different Types 

1 High-Neck

The ballet costume has a high neckline, giving an impression of an elongated neck, which is often elegant and improves the overall look of the performer. These garments generally don’t cover the hands, but one can opt for long sleeves and cap sleeves if needed.

Though not preferred for regular practice, these amplify the grandeur during stage performances. These garments are a perfect choice if ballerinas are looking for support in the torso area. As such, one can opt for bolder or minimal decor while getting a high-neck outfit. Girls’ garments can have sequin designs to beautify the look. 

2 Camisole 

These are quite popular among ballet dancers as they help display the dance movements. The hands are left bare with an exposed neckline, adding to the elegance of the dancers. These are garments that every dancer should possess.

These come with intricate designs, colours, and styles that give a bunch of options for the dancers to choose from. Designer backs, lacy accents, decolletages, meshwork, and dual straps are available under the camisole category. They can come in different fabrics like velvet and cotton that can beautifully portray the dancer on stage. 

3 Sleeved 

The long-sleeved garments use fabrics that feature the dancer’s arms, thus, making a semblance of longer arms. Sleeved outfits are perfect for showcasing graceful arm flows during dance movements. 

Another purpose of sleeved garments is that they don’t constrict the flow of arms. These are the variety that can also use a variety of designs for the garment. The sleeves are either made of lace or mesh, offering better ventilation.

These come with squared scoops, while the standard neckline is the scoop, with an oval cut exposing the collarbone. And among the necklines, V-neck and straighter necklines are standard designs. Meanwhile, the sweetheart cut features a heart shape on the bust. 

Styles

1 Unitards

Also referred to as body stockings, these cover both the upper part of the body and the legs. These are often worn by athletes, acrobats as well as dancers.

2 Singlets

These are garments with shorts, and they cover the upper legs, similar to tight-fitting shorts.

The leotard comes in various designs, but one shouldn’t compromise on comfort to perform beautifully on stage. The dancer should find the garments flexible and comfortable to deliver an inspiring and moving performance.