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 Denver with Tara and Rebecca joining Editor in Chief Elizabeth for the rundown.
Elizabeth
No. 1: This was really the first “new” leo for Denver in its new era of being overtly good. I don’t typically like one-tone designs, but think the color and amount of sparkles breaks it up nicely in this one.
No. 2: An oldie but a goodie, I think I’ve included this in my top five for about three teams already, and this one is no different. I still love the design, and the crimson works so well with the black.
No. 3: I did not like this leo really at all when I first saw it. However, it really grew on me after I saw it in person at NCAAs this year. The ombre is fantastic, and the weird side rhinestone stitches and faux necklace look more like sparkle bombs than specific weird designs in person.
No. 4: The ombre is perfect, and I love how it’s mostly black and white. I’m not a gigantic fan of the new trend of cutting off the leo design at the waste with a belt, but it doesn’t bother me too much here.
No. 5: So can Denver use real gold like this more because I love it. It looks amazing with the crimson and black, and I need to see it on a 2020 leo immediately.
No. 6: Crimson, black and white is just a winning combination. Denver used it a lot in its leos and this is my favorite design of the bunch.
No. 7: See above comments but with a slightly different design. If it works, make 16 other options with it, right?
No. 8: it’s simple, but sometimes simple is better than trying to be too elaborate. The sweetheart neckline is a good, classic look, and I love how it’s paired with the black mesh sleeves.
No. 9: Denver definitely made it a habit of taking general design elements and tweaking them slightly to make its leotards. This is another with crimson body, black mesh and a yellow/gold accent, and while it’s not necessarily unique, it’s not bad either.
No. 10: I would have preferred this to be a little more gold than yellow, but overall it’s not a bad leo or design for this era of gymnastics.
Tara
No. 1: OK, I love this. The sparkles are lovely, I love the design and it has a nice balance of crimson to black. The ombre is the cherry on top. I don’t have a whole lot to say about it—I just love it.
No. 2: I went back and forth with my ranking of the top two because I also love this one a lot. It’s simple, but the sparkles and back design really shine. It’s also STUNNING in person.
No. 3: This is another one of my favorite Denver leotards. I love the criss cross designs on the wrist and chest, and the added “Denver” on the back is a nice touch.
No. 4: At first, I wasn’t sure about the floral design, but I like it as a whole. The ombre is lovely and the overall design great. I think my favorite part is the back where there’s more crimson and “Denver” is vertical down the middle.
No. 5: This is a classic crimson and black leotard with a sweetheart neckline, but what I really love about it is the sequins. It doesn’t have the classic rhinestones, so it reflects differently in light, and the color appears differently based on the light. It’s different than what we typically see, and I love it.
No. 6: This one is similar to the last one, but I like it all the same. I love the crimson body, dash of sparkle and the sweetheart neckline, of course. It’s a nice leotard with the right balance of everything.
No. 7: I love how elegant this is. My favorite part is the front where the sparkles highlight a faux-halter top. It’s simple but elegant.
No. 8: I love how the crimson pops against the black bodice. I’m also a big fan of the criss cross design, which you probably could have guessed by now.
No. 9: Another lovely black leotard with a design comprised of sparkles…it’s great. That’s all.
No. 10: I can’t exactly pinpoint it, but there’s just something about it that I like. Maybe it’s the asymmetry, but whatever it is, it’s solid and reminds me of a lot of leotards that I liked in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
Honorable Mention: I have to give Denver credit for using all of its colors and using gold well with this one.
Rebecca
No. 1: When this first came out, I couldn’t decide if I loved or hated it, but I’ve settled on strong approval. The floral pattern is elegant and unique, and the colors of the rest of the leotard offset it well. Still on the fence about the one missing panel in the front, but it’s a small problem.
No. 2: Very basic but very classy. I’m a sucker for the princess neckline, and the plainness makes the rich maroon color shine.
No. 3: This is one of my favorite leotards that just came straight out of the GK catalog. It’s pretty and not too much.
No. 4: Wear more gold, Denver! Usually I’m anti-super deep V, but this works for me and the gold accents are really nice.
No. 5: Making the cutouts work! This one is nice. It’s single-color without being boring, and intensely sparkly without being garish.
No. 6: I like black; I like understated. I’m not in love with this one, but it’s fine.
No. 7: I don’t love the neckline shape, such that it is—I don’t think it’s really flattering on anyone. But the sparkle curlicues are good and the rest is inoffensive.
No. 8: Another catalog model, and I’m choosing it here because I’m really attached to the pattern though I don’t love the colors Denver has chosen. The red looks odd placed where it is.
No. 9: Scraping the bottom of the barrel a bit here. This one’s all right. I don’t really like the iridescent sparkle blob on the front, but I like the mesh color and the sparkle collar and cuffs.
No. 10: The white here is probably not something we’ll see again in a hurry since it seems a little outdated, but I’m fond of athletic-style leotards.
Article by Elizabeth Grimsley, Tara Graeve and Rebecca Scally
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