The History of Gymnastics Leotards

Posted on - 1st April 2021

With the Tokyo Olympics just around the corner, all eyes will be on everything gymnastics, with potential gold medalists just waiting to be discovered.

While leotards feature all kinds of colours, patterns and crystals they did not always look this way. For this blog, we will focus on the evolution of gymnastics leotards.

The shift from patriotism to functional gymnastics leotards

Back in the 1930s and 40s, during the earliest years of women's gymnastics; leotards would strongly resemble something a grandmother may wear at the beach, with low and boxy leg lines, a lower half which offered maximum modesty and a notably more conservative approach to the overall styling. 

As gymnastics evolved from dance to becoming a fully-fledged sport, the attire competitors wore has changed too. Becoming stretchier to allow for increased motion plus sleeker designs to accommodate the more muscular bodies of modern day gymnasts.

For competitors in the 1970s and 80s, the designs of leotards were influenced by movies such as Flashdance and the popularity of the Jane Fonda workout videos.

Also around this time for the Olympics, the outfits bore the colours of the countries they were representing, which is something that has been changed in recent years for brighter and vibrant colours.

The sparkling influence of skating

The increase in the sparkle in gymnastics is connected to the influence of figure skating on the look of the sport. Skaters have often bedazzled their audiences, which is something that has now transcended into gymnastics. It is not uncommon to see modern gymnastic attire showcasing a sparkly element in its design.

Improved Technology for leotards

The improvement in fabric technology has allowed for stretch fabric to become readily used in gymnastics. The high-tech, shiny fabric really helps to show off an athlete's powerful physique as well as offering ease of movement which enables them to perform incredible high scoring routines. 

When it comes to the design of Olympic leotards, every detail is taken into account, whether that be body types, skin tones of contenders, or even the colour of the mats. Each design can be tailored to perfectly compliment the routine of the performer.

The whole package at Olympique

Olympique designs and manufactures beautiful, striking designs of gymnastic, skating and majorettes clothing. Why not browse some of our excellent collections and special offers today. 

If you have any questions about any of our products and their features, please do not hesitate to contact us today.