INQUISITR.COM / Health & Lifestyle

Bodysuit Buzz: Why Are Leotards And Unitards Popular Again?

By Paula Mooney
Published on: 09:30 PST, Jun 2, 2016

With the resurgence of athletic gear comes the return in popularity of things like bodysuits, also called leotards or unitards. On Instagram, the hashtag “bodysuit” enjoys more than 300,000 posts. When Beyoncé and Nicki Minaj debuted their “Feeling Myself” video, as reported by the Inquisitr, Beyoncé wore a bodysuit that looked like a transformed Chicago Bulls jersey in the form of a swimsuit. With the No. 1 displayed on the front of the jersey, it was rumored that Queen Bey might have some sort of crush on Derrick Rose after she wore the bodysuit so prominently.

However, when Beyoncé launched her Ivy Park clothing line, one leotard priced at $50 ended up quickly selling out after being listed for sale on eBay for as high as $500, with folks shelling out at least $400 for the bodysuit. The frenzy over bodysuits, which can come in the form of tank tops or long sleeves — with leggings at the bottom or bottoms like panties — is expected to continue into the summer fashion season.

So why are bodysuits such a trending item after all these years, since the days when mostly ballerinas would walk around in bodysuits and leotards and tights? Charge it to the trend that sees gym gear emerging from health clubs and showing up in everyday situations.

As reported by Shape, even working out in bodysuits isn’t as terrible of an idea as it might sound. Whereas some bodysuits could indeed be uncomfortable to wear during exercise classes, it all depends on the fit and maker. One would want to ensure that the bodysuit they wear is long enough to comfortably fit their torso and the length of their body from crotch to shoulders without pinching and pulling.

Other than that, bodysuits are likely pretty popular because of the way in which the bodysuit can provide a nice support system for the backside. Donning a bodysuit with a thong-based bottom beneath a pair of short exercise pants can make for a nicer and smoother and more lifted look that pairing that same pair of pants with other undergarments.

Another nice thing about bodysuits that women likely love and lends itself to the trend is the fact that most bodysuits provide a quite fitted feel. Instead of getting lost in a baggy T-shirt, wearers of bodysuits can feel as if they are wearing shape-wear that provides a slimmer silhouette that easily remains tucked into the pants or shorts without coming out of the edge.

Just because it is a bodysuit doesn’t mean it comes cheap. The Panthea Bodysuit has a price tag that is more than $200, which does not even include the bra that is pictured with the bodysuit.

Count Khloe Kardashian as one of the reasons for the bodysuit’s popularity. As reported by Us Magazine, Kardashian wore a full-length black bodysuit that was pretty sheer. Khloe had to once again defend how she looked “down there” in her bodysuit as she continued to promote her workout tips. Khloe’s sheer bodysuit, which became an obsession for the celebrity, only cost $40. That is much cheaper than the more than $200 Panthea Bodysuit that professes plenty of benefits for those who take the expensive plunge.

As reported by Shape, Khloe advised those who want to wear bodysuits to perhaps exercise their hips and abs due to the tight fit of the bodysuit. At least those are the body parts that Kardashian prefers to exercise prior to wearing her favorite bodysuits since they are so clingy.

Women are even finding innovative ways to create their own bodysuits, such as the woman seen in the below photo who transformed an old concert T-shirt into a bodysuit.

[Image via Shutterstock]

Share this article: Bodysuit Buzz: Why Are Leotards And Unitards Popular Again?
More from Inquisitr