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 Illinois with managing editor Emily M and administrative assistant Jenna joining Editor in Chief Elizabeth for the rundown.
Elizabeth
No. 1: This leo is perfection. I love every aspect about it, but especially the back and ombre. After years of below average Illinois leos, this was the start of a great new movement.
No. 2: I love how fully Illinois has been leaning into orange these past few seasons. This is by far my favorite of the new orange ones. The ombre is perfection, and Florida should take note about how to use orange well.
No. 3: I am not normally a fan of navy and orange leos, but this is done so well. I love the ombre, the back and even the weird extra fabric parts.
No. 4: Another good orange and white leo. While not as good as my No. 2, I still love how this one is unique yet still implements some of those new design elements Illinois has started using these past few seasons.
No. 5: Mostly navy with subtle orange accents is just how I like my Illinois leos of old. This one ranks No. 5 because the design itself isn’t too in-your-face and utilizes rhinestones well.
No. 6: I think this is one of those stock designs I’m going to like no matter what color combo is used. Georgia had one similar and I was a fan of it as well.
No. 7: I’m a little surprised I chose this leo to be in my top 10, but the most I looked at it, the more I liked the different textures, fabrics and aspects of the design as a whole.
No. 8: Normally, shiny orange bodies don’t do it for me. They just aren’t flattering on some gymnasts. However, I don’t mind this one that much, and like the stripes on the shoulders.
No. 9: It’s simple and a classic design, but it’s done well and isn’t too busy, something I can’t say for a lot of Illinois leos in this era.
No. 10: I had to. Everything from the holographic orange to the white to the velvet is just retro and amazingly bad. I had to round out my top 10 with a bang.
Emily M
No. 1: This is one of my favorites from any team in the past few seasons. It’s lovely, the back is exciting and everyone looks elegant in it. All I can say is thank the heavens for Nadalie Walsh, ya feel?
No. 10: Illinois: Because Illinois has so many strong leos, this one only recently stood out to me as a top design. It’s groundbreaking enough for the use of orange, but what makes it iconic for me is the unique elements like the sash on the front. Something about that and the sheer material makes the colors look extra deep and dimensional.
No. 3: If you’re thinking the theme here is “ombre leos that Walsh designed,” yes.
No. 4:I love this throwback so much. Velvet! Small mid-chest embroidery! Three quarter sleeves!
No. 5:Another stellar throwback. The hip embroidery?! YAS.
No. 6:That foil detail on the top is doing it for me. It’s so weird, and I love it so much.
No. 7:I’m pretty sure every Big Ten team had one of these guys, but I’m into the mono chrome and deep velvet color.
No. 8:OK, I know, it’s one of the bad orange and blue swirly ones, but this was the 2012 nationals leo and Amber See and Allison Buckely wearing it is burned in my brain (heart). Let me have it.
No. 9: I like the idea of this one more than the execution, I think, but I’m here for the commitment to an orange and white leo. This thing is also a sparkle burger, so points for that.
No. 10: I don’t actually like this one, but I’m begrudgingly throwing it up here because the team has worn it for what feels like a million years, and when you say “Illinois gymnastics” to me, this leo is in my brain.
Jenna
No. 1: Illinois: If you know me at all, it will come as no surprise that this Illinois leo is my favorite of all time. The ombre reminds me of an orange creamsicle, and this leo proves that you can make orange leos look good.
No. 2: I know I just praised Illinois’ use of orange, but this leo is just plain pretty, lack of school spirit aside. The back is interesting too.
No. 3: Illinois has many leos in its history that are some variation of navy blue with orange swirls, and I think this one is the best execution of that concept. It’s a different pattern from what we usually see, so it feels fresh and interesting.
No. 4: Here’s another navy-with-orange-swirl variant that I find interesting—it’s rare that I like mesh sleeves, but it really works here.
No. 5: The boldness of the orange and the interesting design of the sleeves make this leo a winner. The rhinestone I on the back doesn’t hurt either.
No. 6: The orange-and-rhinestone design on this leo is gorgeous, and I also really like the slight V-neck shape.
No. 7: This leo makes my list purely because of the amount of orange it contains. I also enjoy the rhinestone design across the torso.
No. 10: Illinois: Because Illinois has so many strong leos, this one only recently stood out to me as a top design. It’s groundbreaking enough for the use of orange, but what makes it iconic for me is the unique elements like the sash on the front. Something about that and the sheer material makes the colors look extra deep and dimensional.
No. 9: I’m generally not a fan of old-style leos, but this one works really well for me. The white lines are athletic-looking in a really pleasing way.
No. 10: If you’ve followed my rankings at all, you know I love school spirit on leos, so I’m including this one simply because of the multiple school logos featured on the sleeves!
Article by Elizabeth Grimsley, Emily Minehart and Jenna King
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