This summer we’re trying a little something new when it comes to our throwback leotard rankings. Rather than looking at single meets, we’ve decided to take a trip down memory lane for specific teams, taking into account a wide range of leos from different eras and finding our all-time favorites from a single program, as well as illustrating how designs have changed over the years.
Here’s how it’ll work: Our judges for the week will choose their top 10 and rank them based on their personal preferences. Plus, you’ll get a chance to tell us your thoughts! Did we leave out your all-time fave from the team? Let us know in the comments or on social media.
This week, we’re taking on BYU with Senior Editor Tara and Administrative Assistant Jenna joining Editor in Chief Elizabeth for the rundown.
Elizabeth
No. 1: This leo is everything. I love the colors, the semi-ombre-ness of it, the weird little holes, the back criss-crosses. It’s one of my favorite leos on all the teams. Really.
No. 2: BYU has really stepped up its leo game recently, going from kitschy to actually nice. I love the ombre here and how the stripes looks sort of like columns in a Greek ruin. Plus, add in the use of white and ombre, and I’m sold.
No. 3: For no other team will we feature pink leos, but I couldn’t resist for this design. Sure, I don’t care as much for the pink flower pattern, but I am in love with the overall look. As a whole, it’s great, but my favorite part by far is the creativity used with the back hole to make it look like the BYU logo.
No. 15: BYU: This one rounds out my tops because it just throws away everything you know or think about college gymnastics leotards and goes balls to the wall. I mean, who else is doing it like this?
No. 5: This leo has a lot going on, but for the most part I like it. The blue is a really ince shade and paired with the white it looks nice. I also like the swirl pattern and the incorporated BYU logo on the side.
No. 6: I had forgotten that BYU used to have fairly normal leos back in the day. I like this design for its simple blue and sparkles paired with a little pop of silvery-white.
No. 7: This leo is serving up mid-2000s Chellsie Memmel realness, and I love it. While the color is more teal than BYU blue, I do like the concept as a whole.
No. 8: It’s pretty plain, but I do like the back straps and more square neckline. It doesn’t go over the top, which is weird to say about a BYU leotard.
No. 9: I love the use of multiple shades of blue in this design, plus the multiple types of fabric. It’s a lot of contrast while still being relatively simple.
No. 10: I’m starting to understand. BYU conserves all its exciting designs by going relatively boring early on so it could bring out all the stops in the current era where leos have ever element and feature under the sun.
Tara
No. 1: I love this! It’s my favorite BYU leo and up there in terms of my all time favorites. The ombre combined with the criss cross in the back and just the right amount of sparkle is what leo dreams are made of.
No. 2: This is one of the better BYU leos. I love the deep V and how the blue and white are balanced. The BYU logo is subtle, and it has just the right amount of rhinestones.
No. 3: I know this is simple, but I absolutely love it. It’s very elegant and not too over the top, which is a refreshing change from many of BYU’s recent designs.
No. 4: This is a stock design that everyone had at some point, but I still love it. It may not be the most unique, but it’s a good one.
No. 15: BYU: This one rounds out my tops because it just throws away everything you know/think about college gymnastics leotards and goes balls to the wall. I mean, who else is doing it like this?
No. 6: It’s simple but stylish. My favorite part is the criss cross straps in the back, but the neckline is nice, too.
No. 7: Another simple but good one. I like the inverted V, hint of sparkle and the blue areas on the arms, which add an extra touch of pizazz.
No. 8: I wish this didn’t have so many different blues going on, but I still like the design. It’s another stock design, but like the other one, it’s a good one.
No. 9: I like how the logo is subtly incorporated on the back and how the colors are divided. The white faux undershirt is weird, but it somehow works with the leo. I’ve never been the biggest fan of floral designs, but I don’t mind it here.
No. 10: This leo is just so extra that I had to include it. It has a lot going on but no one element overpowers the other, and I like the combination of navy and white.
Jenna
No. 1: It’s not often that I love mostly white leos, but this is one of the few exceptions. The stripes are unique without being too crazy, and I love ombre sleeves.
No. 2: My favorite part of this is the two distinct shades of blue, separated by my favorite accent color—white. The cut of the neckline is also very flattering.
No. 3: This leo has the same neckline of the previous so of course I like it, plus this shade of blue is gorgeous.
No. 5: This leo makes my list mostly because of the interesting back design, but I also really love the sparkles all over the front.
No. 6: Confession time: I’m normally not a fan of pink leos, particularly the shade of pink used in this example. However, I absolutely adore the glitter Y that cleverly forms the back.
No. 7: I know, I know, this design has been worn by almost every team out there—but I still like it every time I see it!
No. 8: This leo is just jam-packed with school spirit, from the large Y on the side to the “Go Cougars” down the arm.
No. 9: The colors in this leo are gorgeous, from the three separate shades of blue to the white accent that I always love!
No. 10: I love the teal, and I also love that I’ve never seen another leo that looks like this! Extra points for uniqueness on this one.
Article by Elizabeth Grimsley, Tara Graeve and Jenna King
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I have quite a developed sense of fashion.
Since gymnastics = a Judged Meet, Leos have that costume element similar to figure skating, & the show element like theater & dance. An interesting Leo entertains the audience in between the routines, delivering an engaging fan experience.