leotards

Leotard Rankings: Week Seven

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While there weren’t too many new leos this week, we picked some of our other favorites of the week and judged those too.  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 Tara, our Big 12 assistant editor.

Georgia: 7.775

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

Design Fabric/

Sparkle

 School

Spirit

 Overall

Appearance

 Total
Caroline 2.2/3 1.3/2 1.5/2 2.2/3 7.2/10
Christina 2.4/3 1.5/2 1.6/2 2.5/3 8.0/10
Elizabeth 2.4/3 1.4/2 1.6/2 2.5/3 7.9/10
Tara 2.5/3 1.6/2 1.3/2 2.6/3 8.0/10

Caroline: Monochromatic leos just don’t do it for me—I remember being very disappointed when Georgia debuted this in postseason last year after a lot of hype. I like the V and the open back is lovely, but I’m not a fan of the collar and I need some contrasting color in there.

Christina: Full disclosure, I totally forgot this was debuted last year. But for some reason, I liked it a lot more this time around. It looked great in the renovated Stegeman and most of the crowd in red. I love the sparkly neckline, and the back hole looks great. A very elegant look.

Elizabeth: While this leo isn’t new, I realized I love it even more than I did when the team first wore it last season. The back hole looks so great on all the gymnasts, and the red is classy yet not boring as it has enough sparkle to pop. A good one for Georgia.

Tara: I really like this leo! The only thing it’s missing for me is some kind of “Georgia” emblem on it. The combination of red and sparkles is absolutely gorgeous!

George Washington: 7.65

https://twitter.com/cyddcrasa23/status/964699780923445248

Design Fabric/

Sparkle

 School

Spirit

 Overall

Appearance

 Total
Caroline 2.5/3 1.7/2 1.6/2 2.4/3 8.2/10
Christina 2.3/3 1.6/2 1.5/2 2.2/3 7.6/10
Elizabeth 2.4/3 1.5/2 1.6/2 2.3/3 7.8/10
Tara 1.9/3 1.6/2 1.7/2 1.8/3 7.0/10

Caroline: This is my new obsession! This is so different for GW—not just from its norm but from anything we’ve seen from any team. The wing-like pattern on top with the almost fractal-like swirls on the bottom are just gorgeous, and I think I see the school logo on the sleeve there. Definitely a new favorite.

Christina: Ooooh this is so OU-like, I love it! It’s such a refreshing change from what we usually see from GW. The details on the front are lovely, and it really does look like a bird. I also love how sparkly it all is. A great one from GW!

Elizabeth: LOVE. This is so different than GW’s normal leo design, and I’m here for it. The design is really intricate, and the front kind of reminds me of a bird/eagle, which is perfect for a school in Washington, D.C. I also love the use of colored rhinestones, as well as how the side design makes the leo look really flattering.

Tara: I like this the more that I look at it, but it’s not my favorite. The sparkles resemble an eagle and obviously the George Washington logo give it tons of school spirit! I’m not sold on the design—I think it needs something aside from the whole design being made of rhinestones, but it’s a solid leo for GW!

Kentucky: 7.475

Design Fabric/

Sparkle

 School

Spirit

 Overall

Appearance

 Total
Caroline 2.3/3 1.7/2 1.8/2 2.1/3 7.9/10
Christina 1.6/3 1.6/2 1.7/2 1.5/3 6.4/10
Elizabeth 2.3/3 1.6/2 1.8/2 2.4/3 8.1/10
Tara 2.2/3 1.5/2 1.7/2 2.1/3 7.5/10

Caroline: Where has this leo been? Kentucky, this is lovely, and it broadcast so nicely—you should’ve used this for your media shoot instead of that weird all-white one! The criss-cross pattern up to the faux halter and the ombre are absolutely gorgeous, and I love all the spirit!

Christina: Hmmmm I’m very torn here. I LOVE the ombre, but I am not sold on the criss-crossing, fishnet-like sparkly pattern. It bothers me for some reason, and I don’t find it flattering. The back is meh and looks a bit rushed and unfinished, especially with the random logo on there.

Elizabeth: I looooove this one! The white into blue ombre is gorgeous, and the sparkle design on the front is very flattering. I don’t love the semi-randomly put wildcat logo on the back, but it does provide some good school spirit.

Tara: I like this, but I don’t love it. It almost seems too busy with the ombre, the criss cross, the wildcat and the arms cut off at a weird place to transition into the design of the bodice. I really like the concept, but I think Kentucky took this a step too far. Maybe put the wildcat in a different place that’s more subtle?

Michigan State: 7.225

https://twitter.com/MSUgymnastics/status/964965049424056322

Design Fabric/

Sparkle

 School

Spirit

 Overall

Appearance

 Total
Caroline 1.7/3 1.4/2 1.8/2 1.5/3 6.4/10
Christina 1.9/3 1.3/2 1.8/2 2.0/3 7.0/10
Elizabeth 2.1/3 1.3/2 1.8/2 2.2/3 7.4/10
Tara 2.2/3 1.5/2 1.9/2 2.5/3 8.1/10

Caroline: This one is a bit off for me. MSU is always spot on on incorporating school spirit, but that’s kind of the only good part about this. The worst is the band that essentially cuts the design in half on the front—it’s not flattering on the gymnasts nor conducive to creating lines in their movement.

Christina: I love the shade of green used, but I am not a fan of the band design on the front. I don’t find it flattering, and it definitely cuts the figure weirdly. The Spartan on the back is a nice touch of school spirit.

Elizabeth: I’m really liking this one. I love the emerald green color used, and the semi-shiny white fabric goes really well with it. The front design cuts the girls a little weird, but I don’t hate it. I also love the Spartan on the back.

Tara: Overall this is a really nice leo! The school colors and the Spartan are incorporated nicely, and it’s very elegant! My only critique is the design cuts weirdly at the hips, but overall I really like it!

Stanford: 7.125

Design Fabric/

Sparkle

 School

Spirit

 Overall

Appearance

 Total
Caroline 1.5/3 1.6/2 1.6/2 1.4/3 6.1/10
Christina 2.3/3 1.7/2 1.6/2 2.3/3 7.9/10
Elizabeth 2.3/3 1.6/2 1.8/2 2.4/3 8.1/10
Tara 1.7/3 1.5/2 1.6/2 1.6/3 6.4/10

Caroline: Cool concept, poor execution. I love the red bandeau idea, but the black sleeves and crop top-style overlay are not flattering on anyone and hit most of the gymnasts in the wrong place. I do love how the bling really makes the red pop, though, and I appreciate something different purely on principle.

Christina: This is such a refreshing look for Stanford! I do welcome the change from the usually very generic leos, but this one is a bit odd. In motion, the red bandeau was bugging me, but now that I look at photos, the crop jacket look looks weird, but I love the red. The sparkles are great though, and I like the back. A bit mixed feelings here, but overall I do like it, and it grew on me.

Elizabeth: Ooo Stanford! This is so unlike anything Stanford’s done in the past (thank you, Tabitha). I adore the back, and the amount of sparkles is lovely. I also like the red and oddly the straight neckline. I didn’t love the crop sweater look at first, but the more I watched it in action, the more it grew on me. Plus, the sparkly S on the sleeve finishes it up nicely.

Tara: I do appreciate that Stanford did something so different than it usually does! The neckline just drives me crazy, though. That kind of neckline has no place on a leo. Decide one way or the other please. For me, the hole in the back is odd shaped and unappealing in contrast to one like Georgia’s. The rhinestones are pretty though, and I like that they incorporated the S as well.

Florida: 6.8

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfTyFkMn1hH/

Design Fabric/

Sparkle

 School

Spirit

 Overall

Appearance

 Total
Caroline 2.0/3 1.5/2 1.4/2 2.2/3 7.1/10
Christina 1.8/3 1.1/2 1.6/2 2.0/3 6.5/10
Elizabeth 1.8/3 1.2/2 1.7/2 1.9/3 6.6/10
Tara 1.9/3 1.4/2 1.7/2 2.0/3 7.0/10

Caroline: Finally some orange! Thanks Florida! I really appreciate the effort, though the random squiggles are never my favorite. I just need… more.

Christina: This is a fairly standard leo. I don’t hate it, but I am not gushing over it either. It’s nice to have some orange in there, and it fits well with the design, but yeah, nothing special about this one.

Elizabeth: I like this, but I don’t love it. I appreciate that Florida finally incorporated more than a little orange, though. The blue is a nice color, and I don’t mind the design. It’s just kind of a boring leo in general, especially compared to some we’ve seen this season.

Tara: I want to like this more than I do. I do appreciate that Florida used some orange! There’s just something about the design of the squiggles that throws me off? I usually don’t mind swirls and squiggles… I can’t pinpoint exactly what it is but something is off-putting there.

Denver: 6.775

Tonight's leo at BYU! #DU1NATION #DUGymnastics #NCAAGym #gymnastics

A post shared by DU Gymnastics (@du_gymnastics) on

Design Fabric/

Sparkle

 School

Spirit

 Overall

Appearance

 Total
Caroline 2.0/3 1.1/2 1.3/2 2.1/3 6.5/10
Christina 1.8/3 1.2/2 1.0/2 1.9/3 5.9/10
Elizabeth 2.1/3 1.3/2 1.4/2 2.0/3 6.8/10
Tara 2.6/3 1.5/2 1.4/2 2.4/3 7.9/10

Caroline: It’s a classic look, but it almost looks a bit dated with this particular fabric. There’s just not enough bling to keep it interesting with the simplistic design. That said, I do like the classic shape—sweetheart neckline, deep back V, black stoned mesh sleeves. Classy, lovely… not enough.

Christina: This is a bit too simple… Sweetheart neckline, deep V in the back, very little sparkles… It is all lovely and elegant, but it’s nothing very exciting. I do wish it had more oompf and definitely some more school spirit.

Elizabeth: This needs a little more from me. It looks like a leo that hasn’t had the personal touches added to it yet. The color is really nice, and I like the design, I just feel like it needs more. Maybe a Pios or DU or something somewhere?

Tara: I love the simplicity of this! The back really adds a nice touch for me, and it has enough sparkles but isn’t overwhelming me with sparkles. I do wish it had something along the lines of “Denver” or “Pios” on it somewhere, but overall I really like this!

Illinois: 6.65

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfUe8YkAqJO/

Design Fabric/

Sparkle

 School

Spirit

 Overall

Appearance

 Total
Caroline 2.3/3 1.1/2 1.9/2 2.0/3 7.3/10
Christina 1.6/3 0.9/2 1.8/2 1.7/3 6.0/10
Elizabeth 1.9/3 1.0/2 1.8/2 1.7/3 6.4/10
Tara 1.8/3 1.3/2 1.9/2 1.9/3 6.9/10

Caroline: I actually like this? The big silhouette block I is a creative way to show the school spirit off, and I actually don’t hate the orange? It’s certainly not my favorite, but I appreciate that it’s something different. I’m not a super fan of the shoulder stripes, but it doesn’t bother me that much.

Christina: Oooh Illinois… We went from a beauty last week to an explosion of orange this week. I’m not liking this shade at all, and I don’t find the shiny orange fabric very flattering. The stripes on the shoulders are neat, and the school logo on the front is a nice addition. But this is way too orange for my taste.

Elizabeth: Hmm… I’ve never really a fan of orange leos in this shade. I think it’s not very flattering on anyone who wears it. However, I love the sleeves on this. The stripes are super cool, and the sparkles are a nice touch. I also like the use of this Illinois logo as well.

Tara: I like this, but I don’t love it. I love how Illinois incorporated the school logo but I wish there was something different on the arms. I also think that, although the bodice is mainly orange, it is done in a way that isn’t completely unflattering. I actually really love the simplicity of it, I think this leo needs it.

Brown: 6.225

Design Fabric/

Sparkle

 School

Spirit

 Overall

Appearance

 Total
Caroline 1.8/3 1.1/2 1.3/2 1.6/3 5.8/10
Christina 1.4/3 1.0/2 1.5/2 1.5/3 5.4/10
Elizabeth 1.8/3 1.2/2 1.7/2 1.9/3 6.6/10
Tara 1.7/3 1.8/2 1.7/2 1.9/3 7.1/10

Caroline: It’s hard to see exactly what’s going on here because it’s so dark, but I think I like the burst on the front. But that in itself belies the problem here—it’s just too dark! Brighten it up a little, and I think I’d like this a lot more.

Christina: A bit too dark for me, and it’s fairly simple. The “Brown” on the back is nice, but overall this is a bit too plain for me.

Elizabeth: I like the simplicity of this one from Brown. The design is similar to some we’ve seen, but the red sparkles on the front make it different. I also like “Brown” on the back and how much the leo glitters when it moves.

Tara: I like how this is simple yet intricate. I love how it sparkles when it moves and also reveals another layer of depth with the red sparkles coming out. Finally, the “Brown” on the back is a great touch!

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Article by Caroline Medley, Christina Marmet, Elizabeth Grimsley and Tara Graeve

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7 comments

    1. Hi Laura, This is actually not a new leotard from Nebraska despite what the text of the tweet says. The team has worn this design before.

      Reply

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