Throwback Leotard Rankings: 1990 NCAAs

Facebook Tweet Pin

We’re bringing back throwback leo rankings this offseason to tide you over until 2019 arrives! 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. Guest judges this week will be Caroline, our SEC editor, and Alicia, our EAGL and ECAC editor. The meet? We’re taking it allllll the way back to the 1990 NCAA championships.

UCLA: 7.475

	Design	Fabric/ Sparkle	School Spirit	Overall Appearance	Total
Caroline	2.0/3	1.6/2	1.6/2	2.1/3	7.3/10
Christina	2.1/3	1.7/2	1.7/2	2.2/3	7.7/10
Elizabeth	2.0/3	1.4/2	1.7/2	2.1/3	7.2/10
Alicia	2.1/3	1.5/2	1.8/2	2.3/3	7.7/10

Caroline: A UCLA leo that has all the school colors included? Be still my heart! I love the subtle gold trim along the neckline; it definitely gives the design another dimension. The zigzag/mountain design is okay I guess. It’s not my favorite but definitely a throwback staple.

Christina: Ooooh I love the colors used and the golden neckline! All the points for school spirit for once for UCLA. I wish the design wasn’t as sharp-edged on the front and that the white didn’t go so far down.

Elizabeth: This one has the most flattering colors by far. I wish the transition from blue to white with the flames didn’t stop where it does because it’s a weird spot on the gymnasts. I do like the minor addition of yellow in the neckline, though.

Alicia: I actually really like this. I do wish there was more dimension in the white, especially because of how harsh it intersects with the blue, but overall this is a very clean leo. I’m not sure if these are flames, spikes or general triangle shapes, but it’s different than the typical flames I would expect. The yellow lining brings the yellow portion of the Bruins’ colors together nicely, and we don’t see that often anymore!

LSU: 6.900

	Design	Fabric/ Sparkle	School Spirit	Overall Appearance	Total
Caroline	1.7/3	1.0/2	1.4/2	2.2/3	6.3/10
Christina	2.1/3	1.1/2	1.6/2	2.0/3	6.8/10
Elizabeth	2.0/3	1.2/2	1.8/2	2.1/3	7.1/10
Alicia	2.1/3	1.1/2	1.9/2	2.3/3	7.4/10

Caroline: I’m so conflicted? I love the ‘90s feel of the bright color saturation, but the color-blocking design is so “workout video” rather than competitive gymnastics. At least it’s in a semi-flattering pattern. I also don’t understand the blue on the bottom, and if it’s supposed to be purple, it definitely looks too blue in comparison to the other purple. But I appreciate the attempt at spirit!

Christina: This is so ‘90s I could scream! I like the effort of including the school colors, but the two shades of purple don’t mash well.

Elizabeth: This leo really is something. I don’t hate it, but the two shades of purple/blue just don’t work well together for me. The design is SO ‘80s/’90s, though, and I’m kind of loving it.

Alicia: I’m a big fan of ‘80s/’90s throwbacks and this is ticking off everything I adore. It’s colorful, bold and has funky patterns. I dislike the two different shades of purple, though I wish it were just one with the yellow to break it up.

Alabama: 6.850

	Design	Fabric/ Sparkle	School Spirit	Overall Appearance	Total
Caroline	1.7/3	1.3/2	1.4/2	1.7/3	6.1/10
Christina	2.4/3	1.3/2	1.3/2	2.3/3	7.3/10
Elizabeth	2.2/3	1.3/2	1.5/2	2.3/3	7.3/10
Alicia	1.9/3	1.3/2	1.5/2	2.0/3	6.7/10

Caroline: It’s hard to pull off vertical stripes, but it’s even harder to make them work when they don’t go all the way up the bodice of the design! I would like this a lot more if the stripes just went all the way up in the front—the weird white-only in the chest draws attention to the wrong place and isn’t really flattering either. Otherwise, it’s basically a run-of-the-mill throwback leo.

Christina: Here I was talking about circus tents with Nebraska, and Alabama just takes it up a notch. That said, the vertical stripes are somewhat flattering. I don’t like the weird white neckline that cuts off the entire design on the front, though.

Elizabeth: The leos keep getting better and better. I like this all the way up (literally) until the weird faux neckline. It cuts off the design weird, and isn’t too flattering. I’m loving the huge vertical blocks of color, though!

Alicia: This reminds me of Nebraska’s leo, just stripier. Unlike Nebraska’s leo, I’m not completely loving this one. The stripes are too much, and it’s reminding me a bit of a candy cane. The solid color on the back and chest is an odd design to have, and it draws more attention than need be.

Utah: 6.725

	Design	Fabric/ Sparkle	School Spirit	Overall Appearance	Total
Caroline	2.1/3	0.8/2	1.3/2	1.9/3	6.1/10
Christina	2.3/3	1.0/2	1.5/2	2.0/3	6.8/10
Elizabeth	2.2/3	1.3/2	1.6/2	2.3/3	7.4/10
Alicia	2.1/3	1.0/2	1.5/2	2.0/3	6.6/10

Caroline: Ugh Pepto pink; is this where the trend gets its roots? I like the multi-V design and the Utah on the front—though I feel it’s in a bit of an odd place—and the pink and black combo is too juvenile and so not spirit-y. Not a fan.

Christina: Hot pink before Nastia made it trendy! This is wayyyyy too pink for my tastes. The design itself, however, is quite lovely on the back. The front isn’t flattering, and the Utah smack across the chest is… nah.

Elizabeth: Oh man. What to do here… The pink is very medicinal, but the design as a whole is actually pretty good. I just wish there wasn’t the random, thin back strap. Plus, I’m not taking too much for school spirit since pink was Utah’s thing those days.

Alicia: This is absolutely fascinating. The hot pink is not something I’m used to seeing on Utah, but I’m not hating this either. I like that the pink is broken up with white and black; it causes it to be less of a pepto mess. The “Utah” on the front feels a bit strange though.

Nebraska: 6.600

	Design	Fabric/ Sparkle	School Spirit	Overall Appearance	Total
Caroline	1.5/3	1.4/2	1.4/2	1.6/3	5.9/10
Christina	1.7/3	1.2/2	1.4/2	1.6/3	5.9/10
Elizabeth	2.1/3	1.3/2	1.5/2	2.2/3	7.1/10
Alicia	2.3/3	1.3/2	1.5/2	2.4/3	7.5/10

Caroline: Well, Nebraska sure has come a long way! I get on leos for the bands that cut off arm lines like this… However, the gradient width along the back does help slightly. The keyhole is an interesting addition, but I’m not sure it’s noticeable enough to really work or detract. Good on spirit and color contrast, though.

Christina: This almost reminds me of a circus tent in the colors and unflattering design. I guess points for incorporating school colors, and the back hole is nice. But this just doesn’t look great on the gymnasts.

Elizabeth: This leo actually isn’t too wild. In fact, it’s absolutely tame compared to the others at this meet. I like the red and white combo, the back hole and the simplicity. It just reminds me a tad too much of a candy cane.

Alicia: I’m actually really loving this leo. It definitely doesn’t have the pizazz we see now—or have seen—but it’s not flat either. I’m not a huge fan of the stripes on the arms as I think it cuts the gymnasts off in a strange way, but overall I love the color, the back is great…honestly, I would love to see Nebraska wear it now if I’m being totally honest.

Georgia: 5.975

	Design	Fabric/ Sparkle	School Spirit	Overall Appearance	Total
Caroline	1.9/3	1.1/2	1.3/2	1.7/3	6.0/10
Christina	2.0/3	1.0/2	1.0/2	2.1/3	6.1/10
Elizabeth	1.8/3	1.0/2	1.4/2	1.9/3	6.1/10
Alicia	1.8/3	1.0/2	1.0/2	1.9/3	5.7/10

Caroline: I can’t tell if this shines because it’s velvet or neoprene? Either way I kinda dig it. The stripe into the open back is a more modern twist that I didn’t expect, but it could use a few more modern comforts in my opinion—mostly more school spirit and maybe a little more color.

Christina: I did not expect such an open back in 1990, but I love it! The number does ruin it a bit, but I am not sure where else to put it. The rest of the leo is too dark for me, although I like the red strap going around.

Elizabeth: I really like the back of this one. It’s pretty trendy for 1990, in my opinion. I wish we could see the red stripe that’s under the number, though. However, the rest of the leo is kind of blah, and I wish there was a Super G or Georgia somewhere.

Alicia: This actually reminds me of something Georgia would wear today, with maybe some modern twists. I actually really love this open back, and of course I’m a sucker for a black leo. But I agree with Elizabeth in that I wish there was something a little more to spice it up. It’s hard to see that red band; it feels like an afterthought.

Article by Elizabeth Grimsley, Christina Marmet, Caroline Medley and Alicia Bettano