Leotards have been a fashion trend since the mid 70's where metalic spandex became standard for the Disco era in the late 70's. Whenever anyone thinks about 80's fashion it is guaranteed one of the first styles they come up with will be Dancewear.
The popularity of Aerobics and tv programmes/films such as Fame, Flashdance and Staying alive; dancewear was a massive craze. Polka dots, stripes and bold coloured leaotards paired with leg warmers and a headband, even an elasticated belt, are typical of the style.
One of the main fashion icons for this era was Olivia Newton-John, established for this trend mainly by her "Physical"video.
The song was an enormous success when it was released, selling more than 2 million copies in the US alone, certified Platinum and spending 10 weeks on the Billboard Top 100 list. She was even nominated for a Grammy for Best female pop vocal performance and a winner of the Billboard Top Pop Single. Though with it's success still came controversy, the single was a lot more edgier than her previous "good girl" image and the song was censored and even banned by some radio stations due to the sexual content and implications.
The sheer popularity of the song shows just how big the Dancewear trend really was in the 80's as "Physical" went on to be the biggest-selling single of the entire decade.
Films such as Fame further established the Dancewear trend throughout the 80's. To read more click (Here).
Aerobics and exercise in general was at the height of it's popularity in the 1980's. People had more money in the 80's due to the rise in house prices and the stock market, women went out to work, they did more for themselves and had a disposable income. There was a luxury of free time they did not have before, when appliances for the home were not readily to hand. Women went to exercise classes, people wanted to get fit. Jane Fonda was one of the most popular advocates for Aerobics, having her own exercise video, people aspired to have a figure like their idols they saw on the television.
I found this video whilst researching exercise from the 1980's. It is from the National Aerobic Championship USA in 1986. A world away from what you expect to see on television these days.
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