This summer we’re continuing our team-specific throwback leotard rankings. Rather than looking at single meets, we’re taking a trip down memory lane for individual 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 Rutgers with Emily M and Rebecca joining Elizabeth for the rundown.
Elizabeth
No. 1: This is far and away the best Rutgers leo and up there with one of the best leos in the country. If you read the Maryland rankings, you’ll know I like state spirit. The New Jersey outline on white to black ombre (maybe my favorite ombre color combo) with minor red accents is so perfect I could cry.
No. 2: My dream is to one day see a real picture of this leotard and not a screenshot from a mediocre video feed. Anyway, I love the classic black and white throwback style. It reminds me of one of my favorite Arkansas leos.
No. 3: I know some people will hesitate at the giant scarlet knight head, but I love how it sort of blends into the red and black ombre, as well as the wide open back. I don’t even mind the weird neck strap thing.
No. 4: I don’t think I gave this that favorable of a review when I first judged it, but it’s grown on me a lot. It reminds me of a Georgia leo, and I like the blocks of red and black in the design. Plus, it works well with the white.
No. 5: The best part of this leo is the sword design on the back straps. What a clever way to incorporate school spirit!
No. 6: Compared to some of the other new designs, this one is a bit boring. But I nevertheless like the ombre and overall black and red design.
No. 7: This isn’t the best picture, but I’ll always like a leo that uses this aluminum foil silver.
No. 8: This leo intrigues me. I can’t decide if it’s white velvet or mystique fabric, but I like it and how it looks with the simple red design elements. Also shout out to Latara, the one in the middle, who was a coach at my club gym.
No. 9: It’s silver and an athletic look. While I don’t like most of Rutgers’ old leos, I make exceptions for something like this.
No. 10: Obviously this leo being worn today would be wild, but I kind of love the crushed velvet look with the horizontal neck straps.
Emily M
No. 1: Rutgers: This is everything a college leo should be. It captures the essence of the school while looking great doing it. It’s not in your face, but the unique design warrants a second look and maybe the realization that, yes, that IS what New Jersey is shaped like. You heard it here, folks: This leo is EDUCATIONAL. The impact it has!
No. 2: Damn I love this. The all black velvet. The straps. I don’t even only love it as a throwback, I just straight love it.
No. 3: The swords on the back straps! That’s the soul of this leo. I’m not a chest hole person, but this one is small enough that I don’t hate it.
No. 4: This is such a throwback athletic look, and I love those silver sleeves!
No. 5: Nude mesh is usually not my thing, but the accents here are small enough that I’ll allow it into my top 10. I like the lines and the use of crystals, and by now you must know how I feel about black.
No. 6: I don’t love the belted look, but I DO love gunmetal leos.
No. 7: The stomach white splotch here throws me, but the sleeves are amazing and that back strap with “RUTGERS” works so well.
No. 8: When this leo came out, a few of our editors found it too busy. It is a lot, but for me, it works. I love the use of sparkle around the Scarlet Knight head.
No. 9: The use of red and black here is so striking! I like the way the sleeves cut, to avoid the awkward mesh lines that we sometimes see at the shoulder.
No. 10: I’ll always go for some white on white. This is simple and classy, despite the random swirlies.
Rebecca
No. 1: Rutgers: This is everything a college leo should be. It captures the essence of the school while looking great doing it. It’s not in your face, but the unique design warrants a second look, and maybe the realization that, yes, that IS what New Jersey is shaped like. You heard it here, folks: this leo is EDUCATIONAL. The impact it has!
No. 2: This one looks simple from a distance and the details are understated, which is the best way for leotards to work. The ombre sleeves are a nice touch, and I honestly love the sternum snowflake.
No. 3: It’s a stock design, but it’s probably the best stock design ever. I love every variant of this one, and red and black makes it extra fabulous.
No. 4: I love the sleeves on this one. The simple body sets off the intricate sleeve colors so nicely.
No. 5: I’m a silver stan! I know it’s controversial, but almost every silver leotard is my favorite.
No. 6: Very geometrical designs don’t always work, but this one is just fun to look at. The sparkle distribution is interesting, too.
No. 7: This leotard’s base design is making the rounds at the moment, and honestly I don’t like it. The chest hole is just not a good look on anyone. But this leotard saves itself with a solid front pattern and the deeply, deeply cool crossed swords on the back straps. That’s how you do school spirit.
No. 8: White velvet? Listening. There’s no way you could wear this in the year 2020, and that’s why it’s so fun.
No. 9: Basic, but nice. The flame front was a big trend in the early 2010s, but this one’s a little different.
No. 10: This one combines a bunch of things I hate, like huge logos and fishnet print, and makes them…somehow good? I can’t explain why I like it, but it’s got good vibes.
READ THIS NEXT: Throwback Leotard Rankings: Penn State
Article by Elizabeth Grimsley, Emily Minehart and Rebecca Scally
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