Leotards are awesome and everyone can wear them. It’s time to appropriate them from the world of dance/gymnastics/ballet and make them a cool addition to your wardrobe!

You may have some concerns at first, and I definitely had a few before I bought my first one, like, It will be skintight and make me look absurd, and how do I even pee in this thing? Here’s a bit of myth-busting: Your body is perfectly lovely and deserves all the clothes you have ever wished to wear. And don’t worry—most leotards come with snap crotches, so they are a breeze to pee in.

It takes a certain amount of guts to style a leotard in some of the ways I’m about to recommend, and it might require you to overcome your fears. Pulling together enough confidence to set aside your fears of looking ridiculous takes time, but when you actually get there and step out into the world in your bodysuit, giving the world not one single fuck, I promise you that it is one of the most liberating feelings on earth. The first time I wore a leotard in public was to go clubbing with some new acquaintances at uni, as a bright-eyed newbie determined to become a social butterfly. I wore my finest leotard with tights and heels, considered putting on shorts for a split second, decided against it, and went out into the night. And let me tell you: I felt scintillating that evening—I talked to people, rode one of those tacky mechanical bulls, posed for photos, and even hit on a guy. Nothing could kill my fashion-induced buzz that night! I was on fire and giving the world the virtual middle finger. That leotard was something of a turning point, and after that night I decided that no outfit was out of bounds.

Here are a few pointers to wearing a leotard no matter what your size or style—create your own bodysuit-centric outfit and have a gorgeous time wearing it!

Sheer

Sheer pieces are great for highlighting the fact that you’re wearing a leotard and not just an ordinary tee/cami/top! Sheer maxi skirts are great for this look, or you could even throw on a sheer dress.

Ballerina

Sometimes your leotard just wants to be inspired by its dancewear roots, so don’t be afraid of pairing a leotard with a tutu! As the fab Jay Miranda shows us here, it can be done without looking costumey. If you do want to go the theatrical route (an excellent one, in my opinion), wear a sequined leotard with a tutu and dazzle without a care.

Statement Motifs

If you feel less inclined towards sparkly things and still want to make a statement with your leotard, try one with a bold motif or print. I especially love this cat-print one—the tail at the back is adorable!

On Its Own

If you don’t want to wear your one-piece out in public during the day, you can definitely make it work at night! Accessorize it any way you like: with heels, a statement necklace, or even a hat. For a daytime look, I recommend thigh-highs, flats, and a short jacket. You can also look for leotards with a bit of leg coverage for more of a romper-y feel.

Every Day

Of course you can wear a leotard as part of every-day outfits too—just style it as you would any other top—with a skirt, shorts, or trousers.

All-Out Glam

This is for when you want to channel your inner Beyoncé—put on your best sequins, latex, or velvet, and be the diva you were born to be! ♦