A Dancer's Ineffable Love for Leotards

A variety of leotards at an audition for the Rockettes 

Simple Leo

It's hard to explain to someone who doesn't dance, but there's just something about wearing, buying, and shopping for leotards is one of the most satisfying things possible. You may be saying, "what the heck is a leotard?" It's the thing we wear that kinda looks like a bathing suit, typically shown in black, mostly on ballet dancers. . . but it is so much more. A leotard is what separates you from all the other dancers, whether it be in an audition or in class. It allows a dancer to be comfortable yet still be fashionable with a bit of their own personality thrown in. For example all my leotards are black, but they have cool designs on the back. A friend of mine has only colored, really fancy looking leotards, but a different friend has a mixture of both. There are so many different kinds to choose from it gets overwhelming, there are long sleeve, short sleeve, tank style, it goes on and on.

Something like one I would own

Some who may be reading this are probably thinking, "how can she talk about this so much, it's a piece of clothing." But the thing people don't understand is that getting a new leotard is like becoming a new dancer that first day you wear it. You put it on and you're  inspired to dance well to show it off, and give it justice. It's different than wearing a costume because a costume is a one wear thing, a leotard you have to wear multiple times, and it should last you more than a year, so it must be almost perfect. Any one you ask who dances will tell you that ordering a leotard and finally getting to wear it will automatically make you dance better, or at least make you feel like you're dancing better for that first wear.

The day we all matched

There are complications though. There is somewhat a "dancer code"; you don't buy a leotard that someone else already has. It's common courtesy. Occasionally it will happen anyway, but it is only fun if you show up twinning with someone else if you are actually friends with them, otherwise you'll have a bad time. It can also be irritating because some of the best looking, best fitting and most gorgeous leotards will be $50-$70, which is a large investment, but in some cases it will be worth it. On most occasions though you have to settle for an inferior option. Buying a leotard is complicated because dependent on your body shape it will fit differently. It is important to buy one that offers good support, but is not too tight or too loose, must of importantly it has to be comfortable, sometimes you may only find one or two out of twenty that will fit properly.
It's hard for people to do sports to understand some of the things us dancers talk about. And I don't even know what to compare the experience of leotards to to someone who does sports. Maybe it is like a runner getting new sneakers, a swimmer getting a new suit, or a field hockey player getting a new stick.  Either way, I can't wait to buy some more leotards.