It’s a popular trend to take ideas from figure skating outfits and award show ball gowns when designing NCAA leotards. But what about dance leos? There are a bunch of unique designs and concepts that we don’t see in gymnastics but could easily make their way over. Our editors searched dance websites for some unique designs for us to judge this week. Which elements do you want to see in future leotard designs in the NCAA?
As a bonus, we chose which team we think would be most likely to wear each leo. Did we get it right?
8.366
| Design | Fabric/
Sparkle |
Overall
Appearance |
Total | Team | |
| Elizabeth | 2.5/3 | 2.6/3 | 3.4/4 | 8.5/10 | Nebraska |
| Claire | 2.3/3 | 2.3/3 | 3.0/4 | 7.6/10 | Arizona |
| Emily M | 2.5/3 | 2.5/3 | 3.2/4 | 8.2/10 | Pittsburgh |
| Kalley | 2.8/3 | 2.5/3 | 3.7/4 | 9/10 | Florida |
| Mary Emma | 2.6/3 | 2.4/3 | 3.7/4 | 8.7/10 | Pittsburgh |
| Talitha | 2.4/3 | 2.8/3 | 3.0/4 | 8.2/10 | Nebraska |
Elizabeth: It’s ombre, so of course I like it. The back is especially unique, and I love how the side cutouts work well with the overall design as well.
Claire: If you must do side cutouts, then do them like this. This design could have been custom made for Arizona, from the red/blue ombre to the back recalling its favorite sunburst flag design.
Emily M: Oooh OK, this is the only way I’ll accept side cutouts, since they’re really extensions of the back design. Slap some sleeves on this and let’s see it in NCAA.
Kalley: You clearly had me at ombre, but also can we talk about that back design? If you’re going to have an open back, make it interesting. Add some sparkles and this would be 10/10.
Mary Emma: It has ombre, so it’s an automatic win for me. I don’t love the side cutouts, but everything else is great. Throw on a bit of sparkle, and this would be a great NCAA leo.
Talitha: This is a gorgeous ombre design! The front is beautiful, I love both the color and the high neck. I don’t like the complicated back, though. Make it simpler and add ombre sleeves and it would be almost perfect.
8.350
| Design | Fabric/
Sparkle |
Overall
Appearance |
Total | Team | |
| Elizabeth | 2.4/3 | 2.2/3 | 3.6/4 | 8.2/10 | UCLA |
| Claire | 2.8/3 | 2.3/3 | 3.7/4 | 8.8/10 | LIU |
| Emily M | 3.0/3 | 2.5/3 | 3.5/4 | 9.0/10 | UCLA |
| Kalley | 2.6/3 | 2.8/3 | 3/4 | 8.4/10 | UCLA |
| Mary Emma | 2.8/3 | 2.2/3 | 3.5/4 | 8.5/10 | UCLA |
| Talitha | 2.4/3 | 2.0/3 | 2.8/4 | 7.2/10 | George Washington |
Elizabeth: I love this. The low back with the slight ruching, the floral sleeves—everything is sublime. I might have made a sweetheart neckline instead, but that’s me being picky.
Claire: Gorgeous. Obviously, we don’t yet know what LIU’s aesthetic will be, but I think something like this—”UCLA, but make it functional”—would be perfect!
Emily M: Love love love. The low back down to the rouched detail, the subtle print on the mesh, the vibrant blue.
Kalley: I really love this one. That is a gorgeous shade of blue, and I love the subtle floral pattern on the sleeves as well.
Mary Emma: I really like this one. The pattern on the fabric is pretty, and I love the shade of blue used.
Talitha: The body is really elegant, and I love the details on the mesh sleeves—you need to look intently to see them, which I like. It could be a subtle homage to a pride meet.
8.133
| Design | Fabric/
Sparkle |
Overall
Appearance |
Total | Team | |
| Elizabeth | 2.6/3 | 2.4/3 | 3.6/4 | 8.6/10 | UCLA |
| Claire | 2.7/3 | 1.0/3 | 3.3/4 | 7.0/10 | LSU |
| Emily M | 2.9/3 | 2.2/3 | 3.8/4 | 8.9/10 | UC Davis |
| Kalley | 2.7/3 | 1.8/3 | 3.2/4 | 7.7/10 | Ohio State |
| Mary Emma | 2.2/3 | 2.0/3 | 3.4/4 | 7.6/10 | George Washington |
| Talitha | 2.7/3 | 2.8/3 | 3.5/4 | 9.0/10 | Michigan |
Elizabeth: This is by far my favorite of the bunch. I adore that low, open back, and the pattern isn’t half bad either. I’d like to see a team actually wear this for real.
Claire: I really like how this leo toes the line between ball gown and armor. The design is gorgeous as is, but also lends itself to brighter colors and more sparkle.
Emily M: Alright gym teams, start making backs like this STAT. This is gorgeous.
Kalley: Another simple design at face value, but I love the color and the embedded pattern. I could do without the extreme low back, but I know I’m in the minority there.
Mary Emma: This one is nice. The pattern is cool, but I think I’d like it more if there was some sparkle to the fabric.
Talitha: I love this one! It’s both simple and complex, and the pattern is gorgeous. As Kalley said, the back is a bit too low for my taste too, but I really like the V shape.
7.2166
| Design | Fabric/
Sparkle |
Overall
Appearance |
Total | Team | |
| Elizabeth | 2.3/3 | 2.0/3 | 3.1/4 | 7.4/10 | Nebraska |
| Claire | 2.0/3 | 2.7/3 | 3.2/4 | 7.9/10 | Nebraska |
| Emily M | 2.4/3 | 2.2/3 | 3.4/4 | 8.0/10 | BYU |
| Kalley | 1.8/3 | 2/3 | 2/4 | 5.8/10 | BYU |
| Mary Emma | 2.4/3 | 2.4/3 | 3.7/4 | 8.5/10 | Denver |
| Talitha | 1.7/3 | 2.0/3 | 2.0/4 | 5.7/10 | BYU |
Elizabeth: I shouldn’t like this leo, but I actually don’t mind it.The flower pattern works with the solid body, and I really like the back. It looks like it would provide enough support, oddly, too.
Claire: Is this too off-theme for a Pink Meet? I really love the mint and hot pink pairing, and that open back is incredible!
Emily M: I can’t believe I like this?! The pink is balanced by the mint green, and the lines all work for me.
Kalley: I dislike the colors, but I think this design could work with a different color palette. It’s kind of funky in addition to being pretty, and the cutout design on the back is unique.
Mary Emma: This is really pretty. I love the flower design, and I actually like the hot pink and think it works well here. I don’t like the cutout extending to the side, but other than that, this is gorgeous.
Talitha: I would much prefer this with a navy blue, rather than pink, body. I would also do something to replace the V on the chest, which is distracting. I quite like the flowery pattern, and I love the back. Overall, I don’t mind this leotard, but I don’t love it either.
7.050
| Design | Fabric/
Sparkle |
Overall
Appearance |
Total | Team | |
| Elizabeth | 2.2/3 | 2.0/3 | 3.2/4 | 7.4/10 | Bridgeport |
| Claire | 2.7/3 | 2/3 | 3.5/4 | 8.2/10 | Centenary |
| Emily M | 2.2/3 | 2.4/3 | 3.0/4 | 8.6/10 | Washington |
| Kalley | 2.1/3 | 1.5/3 | 2/4 | 5.6/10 | Washington |
| Mary Emma | 2.5/3 | 2.0/3 | 3.5/4 | 8.0/10 | Bridgeport |
| Talitha | 1.0/3 | 1.5/3 | 2.0/4 | 4.5/10 | Whitewater |
Elizabeth: Another good one. I like how simply it is yet not boring. The floral pattern isn’t too bold and the back hole ties the whole thing together.
Claire: This is such a simple, elegant design. The proportions on the back work beautifully.
Emily M: This is really simple, and I love that. The open neckline is really beautiful, and the back really works. I always have feelings about sleeve seams like this, though; I don’t know why but I can’t look at anything else.
Kalley: This is… fine? Sure. Boring, but fine.
Mary Emma: It’s a simple design, but really pretty. I love the flower pattern on the arms, and I don’t even mind the cutout.
Talitha: This is a no to me, sorry. I dislike the sleeves and how there’s no effort to make sleeves and body work together in a harmonious manner. The back is not of my taste either.
7.050
| Design | Fabric/
Sparkle |
Overall
Appearance |
Total | Team | |
| Elizabeth | 2.5/3 | 2.5/3 | 3.0/4 | 8.0/10 | Oregon State |
| Claire | 2.2/3 | 2.7/3 | 3.0/4 | 7.9/10 | Michigan |
| Emily M | 3.0/3 | 2.0/3 | 3.2/4 | 8.2/10 | Michigan State |
| Kalley | 1.5/3 | 1.0/3 | 2.0/4 | 4.5/10 | Oregon State |
| Mary Emma | 2.0/3 | 2.0/3 | 3.0/4 | 7.0/10 | Oregon State |
| Talitha | 1.9/3 | 2.3/3 | 2.5/4 | 6.7/10 | Michigan State |
Elizabeth: I’m picturing this with black mesh sleeves and love what I see. The back is obviously great, and I like the simple mesh v chest design, too.
Claire: Ombre mesh sleeves would look phenomenal with this leo. The back is especially pretty, but still gives structure and support. Love it.
Emily M: This is completely stunning. I love it. It would probably need a splash of sparkle to make it NCAA-worthy, but yes please.
Kalley: With sleeves this would be okay, but I hate the strappy back. Nope.
Mary Emma: The design by itself is a bit too plain, but throw on some sparkle and ombre mesh sleeves, and you have a winner.
Talitha: I can see how this could become a very elegant leotard, with the addition of mesh black sleeves and a simpler back. There’s a melancholic Black Swan look to it that I like. However, I really dislike the strappy back—don’t hate me.
6.433
| Design | Fabric/
Sparkle |
Overall
Appearance |
Total | Team | |
| Elizabeth | 1.3/3 | 1.6/3 | 2.3/4 | 5.2/10 | Utah State |
| Claire | 1.3/3 | 2.1/3 | 2.7/4 | 6.1/10 | Utah State |
| Emily M | 1.4/3 | 1.6/3 | 2.9/4 | 5.9/10 | Michigan (see the “M”s) |
| Kalley | 2.5/3 | 2/3 | 2.8/4 | 7.3/10 | Kentucky |
| Mary Emma | 2.0/3 | 2.0/3 | 2.7/4 | 6.7/10 | Utah State |
| Talitha | 2.3/3 | 2.1/3 | 3.0/4 | 7.4/10 | New Hampshire |
Elizabeth: I’m on the fence here. I kind of like the pattern but think the back hole extends a bit too far to the front on the sides. Also, is the back connected with a zipper? I wonder how comfortable that is.
Claire: The subtle background pattern isn’t working for me, but I like the electric-looking intersecting Vs a lot. The open lower back and covered shoulders is a cool twist that I wouldn’t mind seeing in gym.
Emily M: What the what. This is what gymnasts in futuristic sci-fi would wear. It’s weird but intriguing, and the more I look at it the more I like it. The pattern right on the butt is upsetting, though, and the back hole comes around too far for my taste.
Kalley: This has an open back I can get behind because it would still easily allow for a sports bra of your choosing. I also like the light blue mountain-esq accents on this. Super funky.
Mary Emma: I really like the shades of blue used, and the pattern makes me think of a futuristic setting. What I don’t love is the cutout on the back and the fact that it wraps around to the front.
Talitha: Well well… This is not the type of leotard I would necessarily like, but there’s something bold about it that really intrigues me. It reminds me of a mixture of science fiction and of Max Richter’s Woolf Works ballet, and I’m a fan of them both.
6.333
| Design | Fabric/
Sparkle |
Overall
Appearance |
Total | Team | |
| Elizabeth | 2.0/3 | 1.5/3 | 3.2/4 | 6.7/10 | Arkansas |
| Claire | 2.2/3 | 2.5/3 | 3.5/4 | 8.2/10 | Maryland |
| Emily M | 1.6/3 | 1.5/3 | 3.0/4 | 6.1/10 | Nebraska |
| Kalley | 1.5/3 | 1.2/3 | 2.5/4 | 5.2/10 | Ball State |
| Mary Emma | 2.3/3 | 1.0/3 | 3.0/4 | 6.3/10 | Nebraska |
| Talitha | 1.5/3 | 2.0/3 | 2.0/4 | 5.5/10 | Georgia |
Elizabeth: This is basically normal and not bad at all. I like the sort of hidden mesh around the cross-cross in the back.
Claire: Clean, simple and athletic—I love it! Throw in some yellow and white accents, and this is ready-made for the Terps.
Emily M: Part of me loves the symmetry here and part of me is so deeply confused by the way the mesh plays in. Overall, I like the lines.
Kalley: This is very clean, which I appreciate, but it’s a little boring. I think adding some sparkle or a team logo would go a long way for this one.
Mary Emma: I don’t hate this, but there’s something about it that makes me not love it. I think maybe it’s just a bit too boring for my taste.
Talitha: I’m not a fan of the overall design, but I’m intrigued by the red stripe that runs across both the front and the back, as well as the clever use of mesh.
6.333
| Design | Fabric/
Sparkle |
Overall
Appearance |
Total | Team | |
| Elizabeth | 2.4/3 | 2.2/3 | 2.8/4 | 7.4/10 | California |
| Claire | 2.2/3 | 2/3 | 3/4 | 7.2/10 | Oregon State |
| Emily M | 2.4/3 | 2.0/3 | 3.0/4 | 7.4/10 | Iowa |
| Kalley | 1.3/3 | 1.5/3 | 1.5/4 | 4.3/10 | UCLA |
| Mary Emma | 1.5/3 | 1.5/3 | 2.5/4 | 5.5/10 | Minnesota |
| Talitha | 2.0/3 | 2.2/3 | 2.0/4 | 6.2/10 | Oregon State |
Elizabeth: OK, I know I always say I love a cool, strappy back, but this is a little too much. Cut out half those straps and I’m good to go.
Claire: This is verging on too much of a good thing… I really love the sweetheart neckline and almost-boy short legs, though. Make the straps and piping white, add some mesh sleeves and a sparkly beaver logo, and this is quintessential Oregon State.
Emily M: This looks like a Lululemon bra and that’s half compliment half huh? It’s a LOT on the strap back, but I like the idea and the shape of the neckline.
Kalley: To Emily’s point, I have a bra with a back like this, and it’s annoying. I do not enjoy strappy backs, especially one with this many straps.
Mary Emma: This is OK, but the strappy back is a bit too strappy for my liking.
Talitha: The back is way too much for me, though I like the heart shape that it creates. I prefer the front here compared to the previous leotard, especially the chest design.
6.150
| Design | Fabric/
Sparkle |
Overall
Appearance |
Total | Team | |
| Elizabeth | 1.5/3 | 1.2/3 | 2.4/4 | 5.1/10 | UCLA |
| Claire | 1.5/3 | 1.5/3 | 2.0/4 | 5.0/10 | UCLA |
| Emily M | 1.6/3 | 2.3/3 | 3.0/4 | 6.9/10 | UCLA |
| Kalley | 1.8/3 | 2/3 | 2.3/4 | 6.1/10 | UCLA |
| Mary Emma | 1.8/3 | 2.0/3 | 2.0/4 | 5.8/10 | UCLA |
| Talitha | 2.5/3 | 2.5/3 | 3.0/4 | 8.0/10 | UCLA |
Elizabeth: I LOVE the back on this leo: It’s open yet the straps clearly still offer enough support. However, the front is just ridiculous. Maybe if there was no opening and instead all mesh it would be better?
Claire: The fabric and sparkle are nice and the back is fabulous, but that chest cutout is horrific. Quit trying to make “autopsy chic” happen.
Emily M: I tried to think of a team other than UCLA that would wear this to be different, and it was impossible. I love everything about it except for the cutout.
Kalley: While it’s clearly too much mesh (and skin) for an actual leo, I love the design. I also love the way the sparkles are used here; they are more understated than what we usually see, and I like it.
Mary Emma: I love the look of the fabric, and the back is really pretty, but I just can’t with the front. I hate cutouts on leos (real or fake).
Talitha: Is it bad that I love the front of this leotard? It’s both sexy and elegant, contemporary but with a classic touch. Also, it would show off gymnasts’ abs, which are as impressive as their muscular backs.
5.333
| Design | Fabric/
Sparkle |
Overall
Appearance |
Total | Team | |
| Elizabeth | 1.4/3 | 1.4/3 | 2.7/4 | 5.5/10 | Oklahoma |
| Claire | 2.2/3 | 1.5/3 | 2.7/4 | 6.4/10 | Oklahoma |
| Emily M | 1.2/3 | 1.0/3 | 2.0/4 | 4.2/10 | Oklahoma |
| Kalley | 1/3 | 1.2/3 | 1.5/4 | 3.7/10 | Oklahoma |
| Mary Emma | 2.0/3 | 2.0/3 | 2.7/4 | 6.7/10 | Oklahoma |
| Talitha | 1.5/3 | 2.0/3 | 2.0/4 | 5.5/10 | Oklahoma |
Elizabeth: I really love the back. And the pattern actually isn’t horrible? I feel like with a pattern like this you have to go all out for it to work. I wish it was more of a solid fabric, though, and that you couldn’t see the faux bra and briefs underneath.
Claire: I’m surprised I like this… It works because they kept the cut simple and let the pattern shine. Make it less sheer, and this could work.
Emily M: I love the back but the pattern makes me cry tears of “too busy.”
Kalley: Nope, I do not like this one bit. There is too much happening with that pattern, and I hate the fact that it’s essentially see through.
Mary Emma: The pattern is fun, and I could totally see Oklahoma wearing something almost exactly like this. Like Elizabeth said, though, it would be better if the fabric was solid and it wasn’t so see through.
Talitha: This is really not my style. Though for once I like the use of nude mesh and the elegant back too.
4.783
| Design | Fabric/
Sparkle |
Overall
Appearance |
Total | Team | |
| Elizabeth | 1.4/3 | 1.4/3 | 2.4/4 | 5.2/10 | Oklahoma |
| Claire | 1/3 | 2.2/3 | 1.7/4 | 4.9/10 | Utah |
| Emily M | 0.5/3 | 0.5/3 | 1.0/4 | 2.0/10 | Sac State |
| Kalley | 2/3 | 2.6/3 | 2.5/4 | 7.1/10 | Michigan State |
| Mary Emma | 0.5/3 | 1.0/3 | 0.5/4 | 2.0/10 | Oklahoma |
| Talitha | 2.0/3 | 2.6/3 | 2.9/4 | 7.5/10 | Utah State |
Elizabeth: Seeing the girl’s belly button really throws me off. I think if there was just a little bit more solid fabric to cover more of the stomach I’d actually not mind this at all. The shortsleeves, however, I don’t like at all.
Claire: I don’t know if the blue and white part is supposed to be trees or veins, but it’s creepy and distracting. I actually like the high neck and sleeves though. Change the pattern and replace the boob and stomach mesh with fabric, and this could actually be cute.
Emily M: Help, the mesh has melted my eyes. I hate everything about this.
Kalley: I low-key love this leo, despite the excessive use of mesh. The marble design is so fun and unique. The mesh is what makes me think this would be a good Michigan State leo, though, especially after the one it debuted at Big Fives this year.
Mary Emma: Nope, nope nope, nope, nope. I like the pattern on the fabric, and the back is OK, but I basically hate everything else about it.
Talitha: Oh wow! I love the asymmetric design, the pattern and colors on the fabric, as well as the mesh parts. I’m even on board with short sleeves here. The only thing I deeply dislike is seeing the belly button, as Elizabeth said.
3.933
| Design | Fabric/
Sparkle |
Overall
Appearance |
Total | Team | |
| Elizabeth | 0.4/3 | 0.8/3 | 1.0/4 | 2.2/10 | Iowa |
| Claire | 1/3 | 1.2/3 | 1.5/4 | 3.7/10 | Iowa |
| Emily M | 1.2/3 | 0.5/3 | 2.0/4 | 3.8/10 | WMU |
| Kalley | 1.3/3 | 1.5/3 | 2/4 | 4.8/10 | Iowa |
| Mary Emma | 2.0/3 | 1.5/3 | 3.0/4 | 6.5/10 | Iowa |
| Talitha | 0.6/3 | 0.5/3 | 1.5/4 | 2.6/10 | Denver |
Elizabeth: Oh GOD. There are so many things to unpack here—from the bowtie collar, the open chest and the faux studded sleeves. It’s just a lot to take in, and none of it is good.
Claire: Maybe (and that’s a big maybe) this would work better in black? Change the color, ditch that atrocious bowtie and sleeve buttons (?) and this would work.
Emily M: Hahahah this shade of brown and the bowtie??? What. I like the shape of the neckline and the way it is echoed on the back a good deal, though.
Kalley: I really love the use of this shade of brown here, but WHAT is that bowtie and why can I absolutely picture Iowa rocking it?
Mary Emma: I actually kind of like this? It’s wild, and I would probably not like it so much if an actual NCAA team showed up wearing it, but it’s not terrible.
Talitha: Oof, not my thing at all. The bowtie is terrible, and the color is difficult to look at. I like the use of mesh though, as well as the back.
3.283
| Design | Fabric/
Sparkle |
Overall
Appearance |
Total | Team | |
| Elizabeth | 0.4/3 | 0.6/3 | 1.2/4 | 2.2/10 | LSU |
| Claire | 1/3 | 0.5/3 | 1.5/4 | 3.0/10 | George Washington |
| Emily M | 1.0/3 | 0.5/3 | 1.5/4 | 3.0/10 | Missouri |
| Kalley | 1/3 | 1.3/3 | 1.2/4 | 3.5/10 | LSU |
| Mary Emma | 1.5/3 | 1.0/3 | 2.0/4 | 4.5/10 | George Washington |
| Talitha | 0.5/3 | 1.5/3 | 1.5/4 | 3.5/10 | Lindenwood |
Elizabeth: I typically always hate fake printed on patterns, but this one is overall bad. I hate the fake jewelry look. It’s just tacky, to be honest.
Claire: I like the cut and the matte black fabric, and that’s it. Change the sublimated costume jewelry to a crystal pattern and maybe lose the sternum line, and this could work.
Emily M: Why?
Kalley: This one is also a hard pass for me. What is this look going for here, exactly? Nope nope nope.
Mary Emma: I don’t really know how I feel about this one to be honest. I don’t hate it, but I wish there was some sparkle somewhere, because it’s a bit too plain for my liking.
Talitha: The fake jewellery details feel really tacky to me too, and the high neck is atrocious, but I kind of like the matte black body. Overall, not my cup of tea.
2.717
| Design | Fabric/
Sparkle |
Overall
Appearance |
Total | Team | |
| Elizabeth | 0.2/3 | 0.2/3 | 0.4/4 | 0.8/10 | Bridgeport |
| Claire | 1.7/3 | 1.3/3 | 2.3/4 | 5.3/10 | Rutgers |
| Emily M | 1.0/3 | 0.4/3 | 2.0/4 | 3.4/10 | Ohio State |
| Kalley | 1/3 | 0.5/3 | 1/4 | 2.510 | Ohio State |
| Mary Emma | 1/3 | 0.5/3 | 2/4 | 3.5/10 | Rutgers |
| Talitha | 0.5/3 | 0.5/3 | 0.8/4 | 1.8/10 | Brown |
Elizabeth: Grey fabric like this should be reserved for sweatpants and heathered T-shirts and that’s it. The back is OK but is a little too I’m wearing a sports bra for my liking.
Claire: The jersey fabric isn’t my favorite, but here’s a lot I really like about this design: The black side panels, black piping and even the weird back.
Emily M: I love the colors but am confused by the fabric and the little Eiffel Tower on the back. Also the zipper?
Kalley: I could maybe see a team wearing something like this for a theme meet, but that color and fabric is not friendly to sweat, so this is a hard pass for me.
Mary Emma: This looks super comfortable, but I don’t like it as a leo. The jersey fabric is a no for me.
Talitha: This looks more like a bathing suit or an athletic T-shirt than a leotard. With matte black sleeves and a different body color, it could become an intriguing design, though.
READ THIS NEXT: Leotard Rankings: Elizabeth’s Top 15 Leotards of All Time
Article by Elizabeth Grimsley, Claire Billman, Kalley Leer, Talitha Ilacqua, Emily Minehart and Mary Emma Burton
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