Leotard Rankings: Week 1

Caroline
Design: 2.7/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1.8/2
School Spirit: 1.3/2
Overall Appearance: 2.7/3
Total: 8.5/10So apparently we all love ombre leos, but like come on — how do you not love an ombre leo? I love the red into black combo, and I love that the sparkles on the front are gold! Definitely makes good use of school colors, but unlike Christina, I would’ve liked a logo (just a small one) or “Sun Devils” written somewhere on the leo. However, I also feel like a lot of the ombre leos we’ve seen have been red to black ones? So it doesn’t quite get a perfect score from me.

Christina
Design: 3/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 2/2
School Spirit: 1.6/2
Overall Appearance: 3/3
Total: 9.6/10You are sure to win my heart with any ombre leo! I love this one, and I am so glad it doesn’t involve a giant pitchfork in the middle of the leo! The cut is gorgeous too, especially in the back, and the amount of sparkles is just right.

Elizabeth
Design: 3/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 2/2
School Spirit: 1.7/2
Overall Appearance: 2.9/3
Total: 9.6/10

This leo is STUNNING. LOVE. OMG. If all the Santoses do at ASU is create beautiful leos like this one, I call it a success. The ombre color choice is perfect, the mesh to solid fabric is very subtle which makes the whole design look elegant. Most importantly, all the gymnasts look great in it.

Caroline
Design: 2.6/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1.8/2
School Spirit: 1.6/2
Overall Appearance: 2.8/3
Total: 8.8/10

So the ombre here is done differently than most, just in the sleeves and shoulders, which really sets it apart. The use of sparkle is truly impeccable, it was just enough on the broadcast to give them the bling they wanted, and in professional lighting they just dazzle. I also love the bright red, since they are the Red Rocks! Maybe my favorite leo of the week.

Christina
Design: 2.8/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 2/2
School Spirit: 1.7/2
Overall Appearance: 2.8/3
Total: 9.3/10

Again, do anything ombre, and I will likely automatically like it if well done. This is gorgeous with the subtle shading and the right amount of sparkles. Plus, it looks fantastic on everybody.

Elizabeth
Design: 2.7/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1.8/2
School Spirit: 1.8/2
Overall Appearance: 2.7/3
Total: 9.0/10

I really like this one. The subtle ombre is nice and unlike most because it goes from black to red back to black. And I like that it’s predominantly red but not plain as well. The sparkles/rhinestones are unique in that they give off a different-colored sheen than most — I don’t know how to explain it.

Caroline
Design: 2.2/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1.5/2
School Spirit: 1.8/2
Overall Appearance: 2.4/3
Total: 7.9/10

Okay, so I’m gonna be the oddball here cuz I’m not a huge fan of this one. I feel like it’s too busy? I think I said earlier that minimalism is a big plus in my book, so the design just kinda overwhelms me a little. That being said, school and state pride is off the charts here, and I actually do dig the use of the sparkle rays!

Christina
Design: 2.6/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1.5/2
School Spirit: 2/2
Overall Appearance: 2.7/3
Total: 8.8/10I really like this one. The colors and design work well together, and the A in the front fits in there perfectly. (We all remember the one leo where the A takes up the entire back?! Never again, please.) I do wish the red of the bodice matched the mesh red of the sleeve so it would blend better together, but that’s nitpicking now! Good choice for the home opener.

Elizabeth
Design: 2.6/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1.5/2
School Spirit: 2/2
Overall Appearance: 2.6/3
Total: 8.7/10I kind of love this one? The school (and state) spirit is off the charts, and the design is unique for sure. I feel like the arms and top could blend a little better, but besides that, I like it.

Caroline
Design: 2.3/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1.7/2
School Spirit: 1.8/2
Overall Appearance: 2.5/3
Total: 8.3/10I love this leo! Obviously I’m behind on the times, since I had no idea it had anything to do with Beyonce, but that’s kind of awesome. It’s hard to get more school spirit-y than this (on a related note — how exactly would you graphically represent a Sooner?), and I think it has just the right amount of sparkle. However, I feel like it’s really similar to a lot of other OU leos? Particularly in the font and use of mesh. Also, mesh stomach stripe? Two-tenth deduction.

Christina
Design: 2.5 /3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1.5/2
School Spirit: 2/2
Overall Appearance: 2.5/3
Total: 8.5 /10Just like any new OU leo, I automatically loved it, and knowing it was inspired by Beyonce just adds to it. I do find that it really represents the school spirit, maybe due to the jersey look that takes me to bigger sporting events.

Elizabeth
Design: 2.5/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1.6/2
School Spirit: 1.7/2
Overall Appearance: 2.6/3
Total: 8.4/10Love. It’s not my favorite OU leo but I still love it. It’s based off that Bulls leotard costume Beyonce wore, so that just makes it even fiercer. I love the jersey look and the tiny bit of black adds to it since most of the Sooner leos are just dark red and white.

Caroline
Design: 2.5/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1.2/2
School Spirit: 2/2
Overall Appearance: 2.4/3
Total: 8.1/10So I love the message of this leo and that Alabama honored such a meaningful moment to their state. I also love the use of the houndstooth! I’m not a big fan of the little glitter ribbons though, I think they’re a little much? I also would have liked a little color too? I’m a sucker for bright colors.

Christina
Design: 2.4/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1.5/2
School Spirit: 2/2
Overall Appearance: 2.5/3
Total: 8.4/10I love what this leo represents to the team and Tuscaloosa. It’s elegant, includes the famous Alabama houndstooth and is meaningful. I like this one.

Elizabeth
Design: 2.6/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1.4/2
School Spirit: 2/2
Overall Appearance: 2.4/3
Total: 8.4/10This leo’s special because of what it represents in the Tuscaloosa tornado victims in 2011. A “tribute leo” could go very wrong, but I think this one’s done well. It includes all things Alabama in the houndstooth, “Bama” and little ribbons all around. A great way to support a cause without being over the top.

Caroline
Design: 2.5/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1.5/2
School Spirit: 1.3/2
Overall Appearance: 2.4/3
Total: 7.7/10While an elegant design, and minimalism is definitely a plus for me, I feel like it might be too simple? I like the tasteful sparkle and the Beaver patch on the arm, but other than that patch, there’s not much there to identify them as a team! Orange and black is such a stark combination and can be used so many different ways — to see that potential wasted is kinda disappointing for me.

Christina
Design: 2.7/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1.5/2
School Spirit: 1.5/2
Overall Appearance: 2.6/3
Total: 8.3/10This is not a new leo for the Beavs but it is one of my favorite of theirs. The black and white makes it very elegant, and I love the design of the front. The only thing I am not a big fan of are the small white cutouts on the sides (especially viewed from the sides), but other than that this leo looks great in motion.

Elizabeth
Design: 2.8/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1.6/2
School Spirit: 1.7/2
Overall Appearance: 2.7/3
Total: 8.8/10This is my favorite of the Oregon State leos. The black with white sleeves is classic and the sparkles are just right and not too over the top. I also like the side white as it looks quite slimming and the big sparkly beaver on the arm is a plus for me.

Caroline
Design: 2.6/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1.3/2
School Spirit: 1.6/2
Overall Appearance: 2.5/3
Total: 8.0/10I love this leo, it’s totally something I would be comfortable wearing were I a gymnast. That being said, based on our criteria, it does have its faults. I actually wish it had more sparkle! I’m a sucker for stoning, it’s the dancer in me. I also feel like it could identify them more as MSU. The color usage is awesome, and I actually like how the angle of the pattern kinda reflects the angles of the Spartan logo, but something saying “Spartans” or having the logo on the leo would make a huge difference for me.

Christina
Design: 2.2/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1.5/2
School Spirit: 1.6/2
Overall Appearance: 2/3
Total: 7.3/10This is okay but I feel like there is something missing for me to really like it. The deep V gives an elegant look but there is just a bit too much black for me and I wish the darker green was the most dominant color on this leo. I would love to see it with the colors reversed. The amount of sparkles does work really well here though.

Elizabeth
Design: 2.8/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1.8/2
School Spirit: 1.6/2
Overall Appearance: 2.8/3
Total: 9.0/10I’ve been really into this darker green color lately, so this is a winner for me. It’s the perfect amount of sparkle, the deep V makes it look elegant and the simple white and green looks great.

Caroline
Design: 2.5/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1.7/2
School Spirit: 1.5/2
Overall Appearance: 2.6/3
Total: 8.3/10I’m in love with this. I feel like it’s a more spirited, more vibrant version of OSU, actually. I love the use of sparkle; it fits perfectly with the design and it brings out that nice bright green color really nicely. I also think the E is a great start to being more spirit-y. I would love to see like a small Eagle logo somewhere maybe? All about that constructive criticism! I also feel like this leo is suited really well to all body types, which is always a plus in my book.

Christina
Design: 2/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1/2
School Spirit: 1.3/2
Overall Appearance: 2/3
Total: 6.3/10This is an interesting choice. I like the idea and the V-neck and the back are nice and elegant, but it’s a bit too simple. For once, I’d like to see more sparkles. And just like with MSU, more green please!

Elizabeth
Design: 2.2/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1.2/2
School Spirit: 1.4/2
Overall Appearance: 2.5/3
Total: 8.3/10So now we have a direct comparison to Michigan State with another green team. I like it but not as much as the Spartans’. The simplicity is what makes it and the small detailing around the V-neck is nice. But maybe it’s a tad too simple but then the E is too big?

Caroline
Design: 2/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1.2/2
School Spirit: 1.7/2
Overall Appearance: 2.1/3
Total: 7.0/10I’m not really sure how I feel about this one? I actually kinda dig the V pattern on the back with the layered colors, but on the broadcast the front does not come out right. The vertical striping down the front of the leo seems to go against everything else the leo has going for it, and while I like the detailing on the collar and cuffs, it doesn’t seem to go with the styling of anything else on the bodice either! It’s a very mixed bag, but at least NC State is trying new things?

​Christina
Design: 2.3/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1.3/2
School Spirit: 1.8/2
Overall Appearance: 2.4/3
Total: 7.8/10I like this leo but it definitely could have been better. I love the front with the ombre on the bodice and the sleeves, and the sparkles along the collar and the cuffs. The NCSU logo is a good touch and shows great school spirit but it is a tad too big for my taste. The part I really wish was different is the back, where there is just too white and I was hoping for as much ombre as in the front. I do agree that it is a nice step up from past leos, and it was a good choice for the home opener.

Elizabeth
Design: 2.1/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1.5/2
School Spirit: 1.9/2
Overall Appearance: 2.3/3
Total: 7.8/10I wanted to like this one. I typically like everything ombre. But the white part on the back was too much and the NCSU logo on the front was too big. Other than that, though, it was nice and a step above some of the team’s previous leos.

Caroline
Design: 2.4/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1.3/2
School Spirit: 1/2
Overall Appearance: 2.4/3
Total: 7.1/10So I don’t really hate the black bands, though I certainly don’t think they add anything. My issue with it is that it’s just too dark. There isn’t enough red to fade into the grey/black, and the addition of the black ribbons on the arms just makes it darker. I also missed any kind of identifying logo or text — a big sparkly I wouldn’t have been amiss on the sleeve or the front, and it would’ve been a great opportunity to include some gold in there!

Christina
Design: 2/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1.5/2
School Spirit: 1.3/2
Overall Appearance: 2.3/3
Total: 7.1/10The idea is the same as ASU’s, but it turned out just blah. The black bands around the shoulders and along the elbows just ruined everything.

Elizabeth
Design: 2.5/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1.7/2
School Spirit: 1.5/2
Overall Appearance: 2.5/3
Total: 8.2/10This leotard wants to be pretty but falls short. It starts off great with the red and black ombre like ASU’s, but then it adds in the black ribbon around the shoulders and arms, and that just makes it look weird. The back is cool, though, with the cutout that’s not too big, not too low. Especially after seeing Arizona State’s, this one’s just average.

Caroline
​UCLA
Design: 2.6/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1.7/2
School Spirit: 1/2
Overall Appearance: 2.6/3
Total: 7.9/10I love this leo! The lace is so delicate in contrast to the powerful athleticism of the sport – it’s a cool dichotomy to remind us (and the gymnasts who wear it) that girls can be both delicate and powerful all at once. I would have liked some distinguishing factor to show the school spirit off, a small UCLA somewhere or “Bruins” or something. I didn’t notice any potential wardrobe malfunctions? But I very well could have missed something.

Michigan
Design: 2.8/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1.5/2
School Spirit: 1.4/2
Overall Appearance: 2.6/3
Total: 8.3/10

I’ll be the oddball again I guess, I love this leo! I love the silver detailing, and I think it looked really good on the girls outlined with all the crystals. I also love how the crystals on the sleeves look like stars in the night sky. I did take points off for use of the silver in the spirit category, since it’s not really a Michigan color, but the big sparkly M and the B1G logo pay great tribute to the school and conference. I think it was particularly important they used this leo to go against a non-conference opponent, to kind of remind people where they come from.

Caroline
Design: 2.2/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1.4/2
School Spirit: 1/2
Overall Appearance: 2/3
Total: 6.6/10So when I turned on my TV to watch this meet — super exciting because I didn’t have cable last season — and I was really disappointed to see that this was the leo they picked! There was something up with the color balance on the camera feed, so the purple came out more blue instead. If I hadn’t known it was LSU, it would’ve been hard to tell! I like the design, but I would’ve preferred it have some gold in there too! Or a Tiger, or something that said LSU, or like anything to identify the team. LSU has so many great leos that this was just kind of disappointing.

Christina
Design: 2/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1.3/2
School Spirit: 1/2
Overall Appearance: 2/3
Total: 6.3/10I appreciate this leo but this almost feels more like an elite leo than a college leo. LSU can do better, especially for its home opener as this one was too plain and simple for the occasion. That said, the colors are nice, but I tend to agree that something is missing. More sparkles? Or a more intricate design?

Elizabeth
Design: 2.0/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1.4/2
School Spirit: 1.2/2
Overall Appearance: 2.2/3
Total: 6.8/10Compared to the rest of LSU’s leos I’ve seen, this one is blah. With a coach with a closet like D-D, the team should be dressed fabulously week in and week out. This was a bit too plain for me. I like the purple and white together but it just needed something else.

Caroline
Design: 1.8/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1/2
School Spirit: 1.5/2
Overall Appearance: 2.1/3
Total: 6.4/10Just standing there, I hate the front and love the back. More lattice-back designs please! I kinda like the small hog on the hip. Not atrocious or distracting when it’s that size in that particular place. In motion, I actually don’t think the sleeves look terribly out of place, they make the leo actually somewhat defined on the broadcast, rather than just a blob of red.

Christina
Design: 1.7/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1/2
School Spirit: 1/2
Overall Appearance: 1.6/3
Total: 5.3/10In the photo, I don’t like it. The front is too plain for me to like this leo, even though the back is decent and had some potential if it weren’t for the square cut. The design on the sleeves is kind of random since it’s just there and didn’t really get continued onto the bodice of the leo. That said, it looked a lot better in motion, so that increased my original points for this leo. There was just the “Arkansas” in all sparkles that didn’t stand out enough on TV.

Elizabeth
Design: 1.8/3
Fabric/Sparkle: 1.2/2
School Spirit: 1.4/2
Overall Appearance: 1.8/3
Total: 6.2/10I like the back of this one although I wish it wasn’t a square cut. As for the front, it’s just ok. I like the font used but it’s a bit plain. You couldn’t really read that it said Arkansas on TV and the color is a bit one note. And I didn’t even notice the hog on the hip until the fourth or fifth look at it.