A leotard and tights are two key parts of workout wear, designed to keep the wearer warm as they practice or perform. Here’s what to know about them.
A leotard and tights are the classic attire for physical exercise like dance or gymnastics. They’re designed to hug the body, showing off the lines during training, performance, or competition. But the main purpose, especially in the case of tights, is to keep the muscles of the body warm.
In the dance world, a leotard and tights are standard and part of the aesthetic, both in the studio and on stage. With a gymnastic leotard, the tights are often optional.
When it comes to leotards and tights, ease of movement is essential, as well as “breathable” fabrics to keep sweat from affecting the body temperature of the wearer.
What are Tights?
Tights are a one-piece garment worn over the legs. They extend from the waist down to the feet. The material is stretchy, meant to move easily with the body and to hug the legs. The tradition of wearing tights stems from a need to keep the leg muscles warm during activities like ballet or acrobatics.
Tights may be sheer or more opaque. They come in different colors. While they’re primarily worn for activities like dance or gymnastics, they’ve become a fashion staple. People wear tights with skirts for a cute, casual look; the thinner material of tights makes them a better option than the thicker material that is used in leggings.
What are Leotards?
A leotard is a one-piece item of clothing that covers the torso (and sometimes the arms). It’s made of stretchy material to allow for freedom of movement, a full range of motion, and to show off the lines of the body. It’s typically worn for activities like dance or gymnastics.
Leotards may have long sleeves or short sleeves or they may be sleeveless. Some have high necklines or scoop, some have an open back. There are many different styles.. Certain activities, like a gymnastics competition, have certain requirements around leg cuts, necklines, and the like.
One thing that all leotards share is fabric that is both flexible and body-hugging, but “breathes” to keep the wearer comfortable.
Similarities Between Tights and Leotards
Both a pair of tights and a leotard are made from a soft, stretchy fabric that’s designed to cling to the body and easily move with you. Both pieces serve a purpose in keeping the body warm during exercise or activities like gymnastics or dance.
Each component offers aesthetic advantages, showing off the lines of the body to their best effect. And both are made from materials designed to “breathe” to keep the body from overheating during exercise.
Key Differences Between Leotards and Tights
Leotards and tights are two different pieces of gear, designed to support the body and keep it warm during athletic activities like gymnastics or dance. The leotard covers the torso, and the tights cover the legs. In the dance world, a leotard and tights are worn together. In the gymnastics world, tights may be optional.
The materials used are very similar, and they’re constructed to be durable. The care of each component is also similar. But here are some of the things to understand about these pieces of essential athletic wear.
Design
The leotard is a one-piece design that covers the torso, much like a bathing suit. It may have long sleeves or no sleeves. Necklines may vary, and the back may have details like criss-cross straps.
Tights are also a single, snug-fitting piece that fits from the waist to the ankles, or covers the feet. The purpose is to keep leg muscles warm.
Material and Flexibility
Both pieces are designed to be snug but flexible, so the materials that are used include fabrics like nylon, Lycra, or spandex. Tights tend to be lightweight, with varying degrees of sheerness so as not to disturb the line of the legs during practice, performance, or competition.
Leotards must also fit snugly, but allow for a full range of motion. Lycra and spandex are common materials used, but other fabrics like mystique (a shimmering form of spandex) or sublimation (a polyester blend used with a certain form of printing) are also commonly used.
Durability
These items must hold up over the stresses of practice and performance, not to mention washings. Quality pieces will be made of durable materials. Seams are often reinforced. In leotards, stitching is reinforced at certain stress points to prevent ripping during harder moves. The materials themselves (like Lycra, polyester, and spandex) are designed to move and stand up to complex movements.
Laundry and Maintenance
Both tights and leotards should be hand-washed (not soaked) to prevent dyes from running. Turn leotards inside out before washing. Use cold water and mild detergent. Gently squeeze out excess water and lay flat to dry. If you do use a washing machine, set it to the “delicate” cycle and use cold water. Skip the dryer and either hang the items flat to air dry or place them on a padded hanger.
These pieces should be stored in a cool, dark place away from sunlight. Occasionally, “rotate” your pieces and check them for any damage. Repair as needed.
Fit and Coverage
Both leotards and tights are meant to be form-fitting. Leotards offer many styles, some offering more coverage than others (long sleeves versus tank style, for example). A unitard is a form of leotard that can provide more coverage on the legs and arms, for either girls or women who prefer a more modest look.
Tights cover the leg either to the ankle or over the feet.
How to Choose Between a Leotard and Tights
A leotard is standard in gymnastics or a similar activity, like dance. Tights are generally requisite in dance, but not so much in gymnastics. Wearing both pieces in gymnastics may be a call made by a coach or a judge, should you need more coverage for warmth or aesthetics.
Whichever piece you choose, ensure that both fit snugly but comfortably. The point is to have complete freedom of movement. Fabrics should “breathe,” wicking away sweat to maintain a comfortable body temperature. And the fabrics should be durable enough to stand up to the demands of the activity and repeated washings.
Conclusion
Leotards and tights are wardrobe essentials for athletes working in body-conscious activities like gymnastics. Their purpose is to provide support, a full range of movement, and warmth during training or competition. While the leotard covers the torso, tights cover the legs; they may be optional in some training facilities or competitions.
Both pieces are made from flexible materials like Lycra, polyester, or spandex, which hug the body and keep it comfortable. With so many exciting designs available in leotards from Robe Athletic Wear, adding to your gymnastics wardrobe is fun! Shop our selection now!
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