Leotard Rankings: Week Five - College Gym News

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Another week, more beautiful leos! From teams stepping outside their comfort zone to other adding new pink leos to the mix, which were your favorites? The criteria is the same as always: up to three points for design; two points for fabric, sparkle, etc.; and two points for school spirit; three points for overall appearance. This week’s guest judge is Alicia, our EAGL and ECAC editor!

Denver: 8.4

New leo for tonight's meet! #DU1NATION #NCAAGym pic.twitter.com/vQoynpljfZ

— Denver Gymnastics (@DU_Gymnastics) February 4, 2018

	Design	Fabric/ Sparkle	School Spirit	Overall Appearance	Total
Christina	2.6/3	1.8/2	1.5/2	2.5/3	8.4/10
Elizabeth	2.6/3	1.8/2	1.5/2	2.5/3	8.4/10
Alicia	2.7/3	1.8/2	1.2/2	2.7/3	8.4/10

Christina: Oooooh this is such a unique look! I think I like it! I definitely love the front, with the sweetheart neckline and the cuffs around the sleeves. I am usually not a big fan of dark and black designs, but this is very elegant. The rounded sparkle lines on the mesh is so original and reminds me of long pearl necklaces. A lovely look!

Elizabeth: I love this! It’s such a unique design. Denver really went for it. I wish there was some crimson incorporated somehow, but don’t mind the classic black look, so I’ll let it slide.

Alicia: I love this leo. I’m definitely a sucker for a black leo, and Denver just hit it out of the park. It’s simple with the right amount of flash. The lines and mesh on the chest and back are lovely, and it doesn’t cut the gymnast off awkwardly. It’s the leo equivalent of the little black dress.

Nebraska: 7.233

https://twitter.com/HuskersWGym/status/959945919662829568

	Design	Fabric/ Sparkle	School Spirit	Overall Appearance	Total
Christina	1.8/3	1.6/2	1.6/2	2.1/3	7.1/10
Elizabeth	2.3/3	1.6/2	1.7/2	2.3/3	7.9/10
Alicia	1.5/3	1.6/2	1.9/2	1.7/3	6.7/10

Christina: Hmmmm… I dislike the front very much. I hate the straight neckline, and the sparkle design is a bit random here. It almost looks rushed or unfinished. However, the back is very unique, and I actually really liked the gigantic shiny triangle in motion. It also goes well with the deep-V mesh and the rest of the sparkles. I also like the ombre sleeves. But yeah, that front look really is a nope for me.

Elizabeth: I like this!! Not as much as last week’s new leo but still a lot! I love the back, and the ombre is gorg. I didn’t love the straight neckline at first, but it looks really good in action.

Alicia: If you just showed me the back of this leo it probably would have been my favorite of the week…but the front. Oh, the front. The gray and red meeting so abruptly is just so harsh and cuts off the gymnast. I don’t totally understand the purpose of the rhinestone design there, especially with how intricate and stunning the back is. The ombre sleeves are fantastic…but the front.

West Chester: 7.267

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bex7NygFtzw/

	Design	Fabric/ Sparkle	Pink Spirit	Overall Appearance	Total
Christina	2.0/3	1.4/2	1.7/2	2.1/3	7.3/10
Elizabeth	2.0/3	1.3/2	1.9/2	2.2/3	7.4/10
Alicia	1.9/3	1.5/2	1.7/2	2.0/3	7.1/10

Christina: Ooooh I like this one! It’s simple yet very elegant. I love the big ribbon on the front and the different shades of pink used. The huge “Golden Rams” on the back works well for school spirit. I wish the sleeves maybe had a bit more sparkles on them, but other than that a solid look.

Elizabeth: I like this! It’s simple yet has just the right amount of bling. The school spirit is also at level 100 and the pinks used in the sequins are really nice shades. The contrast with the black really works.

Alicia: Another pink leo that isn’t overwhelming the material with swirls. I love the very simple design of the breast cancer ribbon. I think a lot of pink leos try to be flashy, but sometimes this is all you need. It contrasts great with the black, and I love the rhinestones bursting out in the middle.

Kentucky: 6.867

https://twitter.com/UKGymnastics/status/959594036276449280

	Design	Fabric/ Sparkle	School Spirit	Overall Appearance	Total
Christina	2.2/3	1.5/2	1.8/2	2.2/3	7.7/10
Elizabeth	1.2/3	1.5/2	1.8/2	1.9/3	6.4/10
Alicia	1.5/3	1.3/2	1.9/2	1.8/3	6.5/10

Christina: I am torn on this one. I love the shades of blue used for both the solid bodice and the mesh. The design on the front has potential, but I could have gone without the criss cross in such a straight pattern that just now makes it all look like a cabaret outfit (which might have been the whole idea behind the look for all I know, but I don’t like it). The back is nice, although I wish the ‘Wildcats’ was a tad smaller.

Elizabeth: I love the shimmery blue sleeves, the Wildcats on the back and the hole. I do not, however, like the shoe lace design on the front at ALL. I couldn’t stop staring at it and thinking about how much I didn’t like it…

Alicia: My issue with this leo is that I love the colors, I love the sparkles and I love the back…but putting it all together with the corset in the front just doesn’t mesh well. It feels like two different leos and makes it so awkward to look at.

Florida: 6.533

https://twitter.com/GatorsGym/status/959587349050089473

	Design	Fabric/ Sparkle	School Spirit	Overall Appearance	Total
Christina	1.7/3	1.1/2	1.5/2	1.6/3	5.9/10
Elizabeth	1.6/3	1.4/2	1.5/2	1.9/3	6.4/10
Alicia	2.0/3	1.8/2	1.4/2	2.1/3	7.3/10

Christina: I am really not a fan of this one although I do appreciate that both school colors are incorporated. The entire look is too dark for me, and I am not a fan of the high neck. The leaf/wings design on the front is original, but I don’t find it really flattering. I do however love the deep V in the back with the mesh.

Elizabeth: I liked this one for the most part! My only beef with it is that the design on the front made everyone’s chest look abnormally large. But I did like the use of orange and blue sparkles, as well as the back.

Alicia: I actually really love this one. I appreciate when teams have dark leos with some pizazz on them, especially for a team like Florida where colors tend to be on the bright side. The sparkle isn’t overpowering and I love the mesh arms. My biggest complaint is the shape of the design (which from a certain angle I think looks like snake eyes) and the neckline.

Arizona: 6.4

https://twitter.com/ArizonaGymCats/status/960269140903657473

	Design	Fabric/ Sparkle	School Spirit	Overall Appearance	Total
Christina	1.5/3	1.0/2	1.6/2	1.6/3	5.7/10
Elizabeth	1.1/3	0.8/2	1.8/2	2.2/3	5.9/10
Alicia	2.0/3	1.5/2	2.0/2	2.1/3	7.6/10

Christina: I don’t think I like that one… The red mesh on the sides creates a weird shape with the solid blue on the front of the leo, especially on the upper body and shoulders. The big, sparkly logo is a nice touch, but the entire look is a meh for me.

Elizabeth: I like this at first glance, and in action it looks great. But the most I stare at the still, the less I like the lots-of-mesh design. I do like the color combo and school spirit though!

Alicia: I actually really love this leo. I think the shape is very unique, and one thing about Arizona is its bold colors go together so nicely. The “A” is subtle and not in your face. I love the rhinestones on the front. My biggest complaint are the rhinestones on the arms, which look a little far and few between and seem like most fell off.

Auburn: 5.867

Auburn will debut its new "figure skater" @UnderArmour leo tonight against Florida #LeoWatch | #WarEagle pic.twitter.com/nYn8X4QmtR

— Auburn Gymnastics (@AuburnGym) February 2, 2018

	Design	Fabric/ Sparkle	School Spirit	Overall Appearance	Total
Christina	1.5/3	1.0/2	1.5/2	1.4/3	5.4/10
Elizabeth	1.8/3	1.1/2	1.6/2	1.9/3	6.4/10
Alicia	1.4/3	1.4/2	1.5/2	1.5/3	5.8/10

Christina: This one is too much for me. It has potential, but there is so much going on with the swirlies all over, the different fabrics and colors and the scalloped neckline. It definitely gives the “figure skater” vibe they were going for, but I find it too busy and distracting for gymnastics.

Elizabeth: I like this in theory but didn’t love it in action. The orangey part actually looked pink to me at first. But I do appreciate Auburn mixing it up from its usual style.

Alicia: I love the idea of this. The blues clash together too much, and I almost wish it were an ombre–I think had the colors blended together better, it would be much less harsh. I agree with Christina that the swirlies are a bit too much and could have been toned down to make it subtle.

Georgia: 5.6

Check out these pics of the GymDogs meet against Missouri: https://t.co/kBVSwiDWY7 pic.twitter.com/k6DDgt0ieB

— OnlineAthens (@onlineathens) February 4, 2018

	Design	Fabric/ Sparkle	Pink Spirit	Overall Appearance	Total
Christina	1.8/3	1.4/2	1.6/2	1.9/3	6.7/10
Elizabeth	0.8/3	1.2/2	1.3/2	0.9/3	4.2/10
Alicia	1.2/3	1.5/2	1.4/2	1.8/3	5.9/10

Christina: This is alright. I like that it’s not yet again a pink leo full of swirls and I appreciate the change in design. It’s a bit simple and nothing really unique, however, and it reminds me of that horizontal mesh stripes leo that many teams have.

Elizabeth: Meh. This looks like a stock design leo that had the Super G put on the arm and a ribbon put on the back. I’ve come to expect more when it comes to leos these days that this is very underwhelming.

Alicia: As far as pink leos go, this is definitely appealing on the eyes, however I find it uninspired for the most part. The pink stripes in the middle look like someone clawed their way around the leo, but I do love the sparkles covering it.

Ball State: 5.5

https://twitter.com/NCAAGymNews/status/960729090650238977

	Design	Fabric/ Sparkle	School Spirit	Overall Appearance	Total
Christina	1.2/3	1.0/2	1.3/2	1.4/3	4.9/10
Elizabeth	1.5/3	1.2/2	1.6/2	1.7/3	6.0/10
Alicia	1.5/3	1.3/2	1.4/2	1.6/3	5.6/10

Christina: A bit too simple for me. The sequins design on the front works fine, but it’s nothing special. The back has nothing, so… It’s a meh for me here.

Elizabeth: I like the simplicity of this one. The use of sequins make the design on the front stand out as well as the bird on the sleeve. I do wish there was something on the back, but for the most part, this one’s nice.

Alicia: Another really nice dark leo, but nothing stands out too much. I like the design in the front, however I don’t love how it feels so “boxy” and ends so abruptly. I wish there was a little something more to make it flow better.

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Article by Elizabeth Grimsley, Christina Marmet and Alicia Bettano