A leotard is a single piece garment that covers a person’s torso and is skin tight.  It is used by gymnasts, dancers, acrobats, figure skaters, athletes, and circus performers because it leaves the person’s legs free.  They can be worn with tights or shorts, and have also popped up among everyday wear in recent fashion stores.

It was on this day, November 12, 1859, that Jules Leotard made his public appearance as the world’s first flying trapeze artist.  He was the designer of the leotard and wore one as he did a somersault in mid-air and jumped from one trapeze to the next.  When Jules created it, it was initially known as a Maillot and was only meant for men.  The name “leotard” only came into use to commemorate him years after his death in 1886.  By the 1920s and 1930s, however, their influence went well-beyond the intended use as they influenced women’s one-piece swimsuits.