Taking off lycra shorts? seems different to me(don't the shorts provide a bit of muscle support?), but you have to remember that a leotard was invented by a Leotard for men! Females took the leotard away from guys just like they took away tights (outside the world of dancing).
Actually, the "inventor" of ballet is none other than King Louis XIV of France. Not only did he invent it, he performed it too (not in tights though)[/i]