Originally, the bodysuit is a French invention (yes ma'am) worn by... men! Jules Léotard, a renowned gymnast who invented the art of the trapeze, also invented the leotard, designed to free up one's movements as much as possible and to highlight one's muscles. Very quickly, this leotard (named after its creator) became popular throughout the world and over the years became a legendary item of clothing in women's wardrobes. One explanation for this: pop culture. Here's a breakdown to understand how, thanks to pop culture, the bodysuit has become a real must-have in our lives.
FROM CINDY TO BELLA
In the 80s and 90s, some models acquired a status that shook up the fashion world: they went from models to supermodels , and were considered fashion icons adored around the world. Cindy Crawford was obviously one of them. That's good because when we think of bodysuits, we always think of her. Don't you? She's still the reference in the field since in the 90s, the superstar presented her famous Shape your body sports classes (that says it all) in a bodysuit. She didn't stop there and regularly wore them on a daily basis with high-waisted bottoms, thus helping to make this enveloping garment a real fashion and desire object for the general public.
Today, the phenomenon persists and a small group of supermodels still fascinate the globe. Among this very select club, we find Bella Hadid and some of her bodysuit looks on the red carpet are already part of the legend.
ON THE BIG SCREEN
Here, we remember it like it was yesterday: Jennifer Beals, curls in the wind, in the final scene of Flashdance , swaying in a wild choreography to What a Feeling . All that in a simple black cotton bodysuit (and leg warmers, of course). An icon was born. Same again in Perfect where the slender Jamie Lee Curtis gave her aerobics classes in a flashy bodysuit in front of an astonished John Travolta. Without forgetting, of course, the famous Dirty Dancing and Baby's strappy bodysuit matched with denim shorts (you don't leave Baby in a corner).
But it's not just sportswomen who have interpreted the bodysuit in the cinema. In 1983, Linda Carter wore the Wonder Woman costume and it was none other than the emblematic tricolor bodysuit that would remain the same (although revisited) in all versions of the famous comic.
In another style, Nicole Kidman in the dark Eyes Wide Shut gave us a more sensual glimpse of the bodysuit, in an immaculate white version with a hint of transparency. All this left its mark and contributed to making us want to become stars in a bodysuit too.
ON STAGE
In the world of music, too, the bodysuit has made a place of choice for itself at the top and has remained so ever since. It has almost become a norm, a manifesto: all the biggest stars in music have made the bodysuit their stage uniform, so much so that it would be impossible to name them all. However, a few have really left their mark, starting with Madonna. Who could forget Madonna on stage in her nude satin corset with conical breasts, designed by Jean-Paul Gaultier himself? In the 2000s, all the others followed: from Lady Gaga to Rihanna, including Jennifer Lopez and Katy Perry. Showing off your legs has become a declaration of freedom, strength and self-confidence, and it is still our Queen B who illustrates this best.
We don't know about you, but it makes us want to immerse ourselves in the cult films and series of our youth. We'll leave you, but we'll see you next week, in a bodysuit of course.
