Having ranked our top 10 leos for all the big four conference teams, as well as some other popular schools (let us know if we haven’t ranked a team you want to see!), it’s time to look at each individual editor’s top 15 leotards of all time—limited to one leo per school. Next up is our recruiting editor Talitha! Have opinions about your favorite leotards of all time? We want to see your top 15! Submit your rankings to us via email at [email protected] and include your name, ranking, links to images and a description for each. Your list just might be featured on the site! Remember, limit one leo per team.
No. 1: Utah: Although the mountain leotard is more original, there is something inescapably romantic about this leo that I love. The design is gorgeous. I like the fact that the V is made purely of crystals, which change color according to the position from which one looks at them; and I equally like the elegant rhinestones refining the neck and the wrists. What stands out the most for me, though, is the V itself, which I interpret as a heart. Is it love for the team? Love for each other? Love for gymnastics? It’s not a heart at all and I’m talking nonsense? Regardless, I’m in love.
No. 2: LSU: The first time I saw this leotard, I thought it looked like an exquisite piece of jewelry. I stand by my first impression. I don’t always love leos so heavy with crystals. In this case, however, I feel as if every crystal is in the right place to create a sophisticated design. I also really like the combination of black and purple, which is subtle and reveals an impressive attention to detail. It’s the kind of leotard that makes a strong statement. In a word, perfect.
No. 3: UCLA: It will always be a mystery to me why the Bruins use this leotard as little as they do. It’s gorgeous. While a lot of recent leos use crystals to stand out, this one does the opposite: It uses few rhinestones and relies on color to catch the audience’s attention. The ombre body is impressive but equally so is the vast white area. Rather than overloading the leotard with a sublimation effect on the sleeves too, the Bruins allow the color white to speak. It’s a strong result.
No. 4: Michigan State: The Spartans have a lot of beautiful leotards. The one I chose is, for me, the embodiment of the elegant black leotard. The matted black body is classy and the use of crystals—on the two opposite Vs and the high neck—is gorgeous. Full marks.
No. 5: Michigan: The Wolverines have beautiful leotards and almost any of the recent ones could have made this list. The leo that really stands out for me, though, is this older one. As with UCLA, what is stunning is the color, rather than the crystals. The blue velvet body looks ombre even though it’s not, and as a result it has an almost magnetic effect on the viewer. I just can’t stop looking at it. The asymmetric embellishments stand out but are never overpowering. Watch it in motion below for a full appreciation.
No. 6: Rutgers: I’m impressed with the originality of this leotard’s design. The ombre effect is elegant and the use of the New Jersey state outline is unique. I even like the back, though I normally don’t appreciate such low cuts. If you want to put your team on the map, this is the way of doing it. Literally!
No. 7: Florida: There’s something so beautiful about this leotard. I like how the geometric horizontal design is complicated by the cascade of vertical crystals. The neckline adds to the effect and the sublimation on mesh sleeves give it the final touch. I don’t always like Florida’s use of rhinestones, but this is a hit.
No. 8: New Hampshire: There was a lot of talk about UNH’s new, deep V, sparkly leotard last year for all the good reasons: It’s stunning. The older velvet leotard I chose, however, is even more impressive to me. The sapphire color is classy and elegant, and so is the use of crystals, which is never excessive. If Romanticism were a leotard, it would be this one.
No. 9: California: Compared to other leotards I chose, this is not as flashy, yet it grows on you. What is so good about it is that it’s perfect in its simplicity. The design is timeless, and the thin golden stripes around the waist are elegant. I also appreciate California’s use of both of its colors: blue and gold (yes, I’m looking at you, UCLA). It’s not an easy color to use, and the Golden Bears do it beautifully.
No. 10: SCSU: This leotard is simply stunning. Navy blue and white are merged beautifully and the cascade of white crystals down the front gives it an elegant Ice Queen effect. We’ve found Elsa’s new gown!
No. 11: Nebraska: This is not the type of leotard I would always love, but there’s something special about it. Perhaps it’s the fact that it’s so bold. The V line is very deep, the crystals are somewhat excessive, the ombre intense. If you have to go big, this is the way to do it.
No. 12: N.C. State: There’s so much I like about this leotard. First are the colors. It manages to include all three of the Pack’s colors (black, red and white) in an exquisite blend. It’s not an easy effect to achieve. Furthermore, I like how the logo stands out but doesn’t overpower the overall design. Finally, I really like the broad, sparkly neckline. It could be easily tacky, but it’s not at all.
No. 13: North Carolina: I really like the ombre extravaganza that this leotard is. What is so clever about it, as with the N.C. State one, is that it includes all three of UNC’s colors: light blue, navy blue and white. The latter is included only in the crystals, but it stands out.
No. 14: Auburn: Growing up as a Nastia Liukin fan, I’m biased to pink leotards, although I’m the first to admit that the color has been abused, especially in elite. Auburn, however, did a stunning job with this one. The blend of different colors is original yet Auburn-esque and the use of old-style embellishments gives it a retro flavor. A perfect homage to a Pink Meet.
No. 15: UW-Stout: Similarly to the LSU leotard above, I like the jewel effect that the crystals produce on this one, as well as the way in which the rhinestones emphasize the shape of the neckline and of the chest design. Stout doesn’t have many leotards, but it makes the best of them. They undoubtedly are the most elegant Devils!
READ THIS NEXT: Leotard Rankings: Emily M’s Top 15 Leos of All Time
Article by Talitha Ilacqua
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