Throwback Leotard Rankings: The 1990s

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Last week, some teams had a little #TBT fun and posted their best leos from 1995. We couldn’t let the opportunity pass to judge these brilliant fashion statements from the 90s.

The criteria is the same as during the season. But to refresh your memory: up to three points for design; two points for fabric, sparkle, etc.; and two points for school spirit; three points for overall appearance. But we want to know your thoughts too! Let us know what you think of these throwback leos in the comments or on social media.

TWU: 7.867

Leotard featured in upper right and lower left images.

Caroline

  • Design: 2.1/3
  • Fabric/Sparkle: 1.8/2
  • School Spirit: 1.4/2
  • Overall Appearance: 2.5/3
  • Total: 7.8/10

This is a classic, classy look and I’m kind of in love. I would love to see TWU bring this to a regular meet, not just its alumni one. The small, delicate sparkle on this gorgeous deep red really pops, and the velvet texture gives it a depth unlike most leos today. Definitely a stunner.

Christina

  • Design: 2.4/3
  • Fabric/Sparkle: 1.6/2
  • School Spirit: 1.5/2
  • Overall Appearance: 2.4/3
  • Total: 7.9/10

Crushed velvet with sparkles? I’m in. TWU has been rocking these throwback leos. It’s a fairly simple one, but I really love the deep red color used for the velvet. The sparkles are a nice addition although I wish there were more, like usual. Overall a pretty solid ‘90s look going on here.

Elizabeth

  • Design: 2.3/3
  • Fabric/Sparkle: 1.5/2
  • School Spirit: 1.6/2
  • Overall Appearance: 2.5/3
  • Total: 7.9/10

Let me start by saying every team should take a leaf out of TWU’s book and wear throwback leos for the alumni meet. As for this leo (the one in the upper right corner of the tweet), I actually LOVE that deep red color and the crushed velvet makes it stand out. The sparkle design is simple but nice. And the back, while plain, doesn’t really need much because of the changing in color due to the material.

Michigan: 7.467

Caroline

  • Design: 2.1/3
  • Fabric/Sparkle: 1.1/2
  • School Spirit: 1.5/2
  • Overall Appearance: 2/3
  • Total: 6.7/10

At first glance, it looks like a classic, run-of-the-mill sweetheart, black-on-white design. However, it’s clearly more than that upon closer inspection, as I believe the bodice is actually blue? And the subtle criss-cross design and neckline sparkle (flowers maybe?) are in gold, so definite school spirit points there. However, the more I look at it, the less I like the sequined criss-cross. If it were just on the arms and not the bodice, or maybe a full lattice rather than just going one direction, I think I would’ve liked it more.

Christina

  • Design: 2.4/3
  • Fabric/Sparkle: 1.5/2
  • School Spirit: 1.6/2
  • Overall Appearance: 2.4/3
  • Total: 7.9/10

I actually really do like this one… from far away. When I zoom in it becomes quite… original, with the flowery design all along the neckline and down the sleeves. At first I honestly thought these were shiny buttons sewn up on the leo until I eventually realized it was flowers (it’s flowers, right?). It does work out here, though. I do really like the subtle criss-cross design that incorporates the school colors. I bet this leo looks great in motion as well. A nice one from Michigan overall.

Elizabeth

  • Design: 2.2/3
  • Fabric/Sparkle: 1.5/2
  • School Spirit: 1.7/2
  • Overall Appearance: 2.4/3
  • Total: 7.8/10

I actually quite like this one and can see it being worn today with updated fabric. It’s not your typical less-than-attractive design. The school spirit is subtle with blue and yellow cross-hatching on the sleeves, but I like it. I also like the sweetheart neckline and sparkle design that’s along it and extends down the inside of the arms.

Penn State: 7.333

https://twitter.com/PennStateWGYM/status/898221962790670337

Caroline

  • Design: 2.4/3
  • Fabric/Sparkle: 1.2/2
  • School Spirit: 2/2
  • Overall Appearance: 2/3
  • Total: 7.6/10

Oh my goodness, cheetah print! My favorite ‘90s trend! I’m going to ignore the massive discrepancy between PSU being the Lions and wearing cheetah print and give massive points for school spirit because it’s still in the spirit of the school mascot theme. Other than that, sparkle is kinda hard to tell, since it’s in black and white, and I do wish there was some kind of detailing, like a faux neckline or something interesting on the arms.

Christina

  • Design: 2.1/3
  • Fabric/Sparkle: 1.1/2
  • School Spirit: 1.7/2
  • Overall Appearance: 2.2/3
  • Total: 7.1/10

Well… I wanted to pretend this is a flowery color theme with the bodice white and the flowers in the pink and blue pastel shades buuuuut Elizabeth is probably right about the whole lion, “big-cat” feel. So yes, I’ll imagine school spirit is also amazing, and it’s 1995 so it’s got to be crushed velvet somehow, right? Anyways, in black and white I kind of dig it, but it might be a different story when I see the actual colors.

Elizabeth

  • Design: 2.0/3
  • Fabric/Sparkle: 1.2/2
  • School Spirit: 1.9/2
  • Overall Appearance: 2.2/3
  • Total: 7.3/10

Yes, this is in black and white, but I’m going to pretend it’s in a tan color scheme (like a lion, duh) for the purposes of judging. First off, the school spirit is off the charts. It also looks to be velvet, so bonus points. Overall, a solid, fantastically amazing leo that I need to be brought back in 2018.

Oregon State: 6.5

Worn by Maddie Gardiner

https://twitter.com/shireenkha/status/898325165540466689

Caroline

  • Design: 1.2/3
  • Fabric/Sparkle: 1.3/2
  • School Spirit: 1.5/2
  • Overall Appearance: 1.2/3
  • Total: 5.2/10

This design has ALL the random squigglies! …which of course I have to deduct for. I do like the little faux sweetheart neckline, though, and the school spirit is nice. I just feel like it’s almost two leos smashed together—like, either commit to the tribal-looking squigglies or stick with the classy velvet sweetheart. Mixing them isn’t exactly working out.

Christina

  • Design: 1.8/3
  • Fabric/Sparkle: 1.2/2
  • School Spirit: 1.8/2
  • Overall Appearance: 2.1/3
  • Total: 6.9/10

Maddie’s leo is the busiest thing ever, and I love it. It has everything you’d ever want in a throwback leo: crushed velvet, school colors, a high neckline and some sparkles. Now I wish I could see the back to make sure the little key hole was there and we are all set for a ‘90s leo. Anyways, the upper part of the bodice is just ridiculous, but points for incorporating school colors. I kind of wish the black velvet along the neck and above the white lycra wasn’t there, as it kind of disrupts the whole thing. Overall though, we’ve seen far more ridiculous leos than this. And I do love the school spirit in this one.

Elizabeth

  • Design: 2.0/3
  • Fabric/Sparkle: 1.3/2
  • School Spirit: 1.8/2
  • Overall Appearance: 2.3/3
  • Total: 7.4/10

The leo looks almost royal, like a fancy version that’s not meant to actual wear but for looks only. The neckline is normal but the design makes it look higher up than it is. And I love the touches of orange throughout.The change between velvet and lycra and back again is unusual but doesn’t detract from the overall appearance. Overall, I’m kind of digging this?

Nebraska: 5.767

Caroline

  • Design: 1.2/3
  • Fabric/Sparkle: 1.1/2
  • School Spirit: 1.6/2
  • Overall Appearance: 1.3/3
  • Total: 5.2/10

I… don’t even know what to do with this? Like school spirit, awesome, well done. The weird white shoulder swoops make all their lines quite boxy, and I can’t get over these poses! Cheesiest choreography poses ever.

Christina

  • Design: 1.3/3
  • Fabric/Sparkle: 1.3/2
  • School Spirit: 1.5/2
  • Overall Appearance: 1.6/3
  • Total: 5.7/10

This is so bad it’s great. The red is so bright, but points for school color. The hole in the front is a no-no for me, but I think what I really dislike most are the two arrow-like design and just the white part overall. It reminds almost of a fancy armor or something that go on to cover the boobs… I might have been watching too much GoT. Oh well, gotta love 1995 fashion.

Elizabeth

  • Design: 1.6/3
  • Fabric/Sparkle: 1.4/2
  • School Spirit: 1.6/2
  • Overall Appearance: 1.8/3
  • Total: 6.4/10

It’s so hideous. I love it. The red and white are nice and show a good amount of school spirit, and I’m actually appreciating the non-velvet (I’m assuming) trendsetting fabric. The design of the white, though, looks like weird arrows stopping right at their boobs, which is strange, but the hole in the front  is a nice addition. Although I think I’d rather the hole be the neckline and the weird choker thing be taken off?

Rutgers: 4.9

Caroline

  • Design: 1.2/3
  • Fabric/Sparkle: 1.3/2
  • School Spirit: 0.3/2
  • Overall Appearance: 2/3
  • Total: 4.8/10

Okay, so let me preface this by saying I love how this looks, and I think it’s super sexy. Definitely something I could see on a more mature gymnast in the elite scene. Anyway, for a college gymnast I find it a little odd to be sporting a leo that’s so risque and sexy. It just doesn’t make sense to me, and it honestly would make me feel awkward if I were in their shoes. And it’s completely devoid of school spirit or markings of any kind? I gave a few tenths simply because we can’t see the back, so I can’t completely rule out of the possibility that it says “Rutgers” on it anywhere. Not a winner for me.

Christina

  • Design: 1/3
  • Fabric/Sparkle: 1.3/2
  • School Spirit: 0.6/2
  • Overall Appearance: 1.3/3
  • Total: 4.2/10

Oh my goodie what is going on on your chest right now? This is like… super risque and revealing? I don’t even know if I’d wear this out to the club. The open V neckline is super low and paired with the choker and the open blinds-like design is just too much. AND crushed velvet! Welcome to the ‘90s. Although I do like the black crushed velvet on its own, but paired with the boobalicious design, it really gives out a dominatrix vibe. Catalina Ponor would probably approve, though.

Elizabeth

  • Design: 1.8/3
  • Fabric/Sparkle: 1.4/2
  • School Spirit: 0.8/2
  • Overall Appearance: 1.7/3
  • Total: 5.7/10

Umm wow, OK… This kind of looks like something you’d wear to the club? The V neckline is rather low and the actual neckline looks like a choker necklace. I kind of like the straps on the front but the go up a bit high for my taste. The crushed black velvet, on the other hand, is amazing. Although I do need some more school spirit.

Denver: 4.6

Caroline

  • Design: 1.1/3
  • Fabric/Sparkle: 1/2
  • School Spirit: 0.7/2
  • Overall Appearance: 1.5/3
  • Total: 4.3/10

This is so hideous, it’s almost comical? Also, this is two weeks in a row we’ve had hot pink in the ‘90s—was that magenta color just the “it shade” of the decade? Not really sure but I think it’s so out of left field, especially because we don’t see any of that today. You could say like, maybe teal is such an in color right now, but you don’t see colleges going out of their way to change their leo colors to match the trend. They stick to their school colors for the most part or pink for the pink meet. The zebra is a totally wild choice, and I love the risk taking, but like… wow. Just wow.

Christina

  • Design: 1.3/3
  • Fabric/Sparkle: 1/2
  • School Spirit: 0.6/2
  • Overall Appearance: 1.6/3
  • Total: 4.5/10

THIS NEEDS TO BE WORN AGAIN. Please. Seriously, it’s hideous. I’m obsessed. Just add sparkles, and you’re set. Oh my goodness. The zebra print. The gigantic V design. The solid color combos. I just can’t. It’s entirely ridiculous and wild. Love.

Elizabeth

  • Design: 1.2/3
  • Fabric/Sparkle: 1.3/2
  • School Spirit: 1.1/2
  • Overall Appearance: 1.4/3
  • Total: 5.0/10

If you showed me this leo without telling me it was Denver’s, I’d have no idea. It’s almost the complete opposite of what we see from the Pioneers today.The zebra stripes are plentiful and the V design kind of jarring. I wish the colors weren’t so solid and blocky and there was less zebra in general. But I can’t deny the wildness of it…

Have a throwback meet you want us to judge? Stick it in the comments or hit us up on Twitter, and we’ll try to get to it in the coming weeks!

Article by Elizabeth Grimsley, Christina Marmet and Caroline Medley

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