The criteria is a little different this season as we tweak some of our point totals to better analyze the designs. There will be up to three points for design, up to one point each for fabric and sparkle, school spirit and uniqueness and up to three points for overall appearance. This week Allie, Brandis and Christina are joining Editor-in-Chief Elizabeth to help judge.
Alabama: 9.100
Elizabeth: 9.000
Design 2.6/3, Fabric 0.8/1, Sparkle 0.9/1, School Spirit 1.0/1, Uniqueness 1.0/1, Overall Appearance 2.7/3
I’m obsessed with the houndstooth ombre on the sleeves! What a clever way to incorporate school spirit. Plus, the rest of the design is regal and perfect.
Allie: 9.000
Design 2.6/3, Fabric 0.8/1, Sparkle 0.8/1, School Spirit 1.0/1, Uniqueness 1.0/1, Overall Appearance 2.6/3
School spirit always wins me over, so obviously I fell in love with this leo. The rhinestones on the front may be a bit too busy, but I love how unique this is.
Brandis: 9.200
Design 2.8/3, Fabric 0.8/1, Sparkle 0.7/1, School Spirit 1.0/1, Uniqueness 1.0/1, Overall Appearance 2.9/3
This design wins all the points for uniqueness with the houndstooth ombre, and it just screams school spirit. You see this leo and instantly think of Alabama. The front is a little busy with the rhinestone design, but overall a great leotard.
Christina 9.200
Design 2.8/3, Fabric 0.8/1, Sparkle 0.8/1, School Spirit 1/1, Uniqueness 1/1, Overall Appearance 2.8/3
The houndstooth ombré! This is so brilliant, and I love it. The front of the leotard is stunning as well, and I appreciate all the sparkles, although maybe a bit too reminiscent of some other Alabama looks. I do wish the back was more balanced with the front, but a regal look overall.
Southern Utah: 7.300
Photos courtesy of Southern Utah gymnastics.
Elizabeth: 7.900
Design 2.4/3, Fabric 0.8/1, Sparkle 0.7/1, School Spirit 0.7/1, Uniqueness 0.8/1, Overall Appearance 2.5/3
I’m a sucker for white to black ombre, so this leo is right up my alley. I wish the neckline wasn’t a boatneck but rather a V or a sweetheart, but that’s me being picky.
Allie: 7.400
Design 2.3/3, Fabric 0.8/1, Sparkle 0.6/1, School Spirit 0.7/1, Uniqueness 0.5/1, Overall Appearance 2.5/3
The ombre does wonders for this leo, and I am a fan of anything that has the school logo or mascot on it. Like Elizabeth, a different neckline would suit this leo better.
Brandis: 6.900
Design 2.0/3, Fabric 0.7/1, Sparkle 0.8/1, School Spirit 0.5/1, Uniqueness 0.6/1, Overall Appearance 2.3/3
Big fan of the ombre, but overall a very average leo. I like the use of the red in the sleeves to give it more school spirit, and the rhinestones are thoughtfully used as well.
Christina: 7.000
Design 2.3/3, Fabric 0.7/1, Sparkle 0.6/1, School Spirit 0.6/1, Uniqueness 0.5/1, Overall Appearance 2.3/3
I love the ombré as usual, and this is one of the rare occasions where I appreciate grey on a leotard. I do wish the design popped out a bit more, maybe with the school logo or using red. A lovely look, though.
Utah State: 5.800
Elizabeth: 6.000
Design 1.6/3, Fabric 0.5/1, Sparkle 0.8/1, School Spirit 0.7/1, Uniqueness 0.6/1, Overall Appearance 1.8/3
I like the idea, but the execution isn’t enough for me. The white in this way isn’t super flattering on the gymnasts, but I do love the grey/blue sleeves and darker blue accents.
Allie: 5.300
Design 1.8/3, Fabric 0.5/1, Sparkle 0.6/1, School Spirit 0.6/1, Uniqueness 0.3/1, Overall Appearance 1.5/3
I do enjoy the color scheme of this leo, but it looks too old school for me. There isn’t anything that really makes it stand out from the rest.
Brandis: 6.100
Design 1.8/3, Fabric 0.5/1, Sparkle 0.7/1, School Spirit 0.6/1, Uniqueness 0.5/1, Overall Appearance 2.0/3
Like Elizabeth, I like the idea, but it just comes off too simple for me. I enjoy the color scheme and not going overboard with sparkles or rhinestones, but nothing about this leo stands out.
Christina: 5.800
Design 1.5/3, Fabric 0.5/1, Sparkle 0.5/1, School Spirit 0.9/1, Uniqueness 0.5/1, Overall Appearance 1.9/3
This is alright. The design isn’t too flashy, but maybe it’s lacking a little…something. School spirit is very high for me of course, but other than that it’s a bit too basic for my own tastes.
BONUS: Florida’s Mask: 7.725
Elizabeth: 8.700
Design 2.8/3, Fabric 0.7/1, Sparkle 0.9/1, School Spirit 0.5/1, Uniqueness 1.0/1, Overall Appearance 2.8/3
I hoped teams would at least get one blinged-out mask to match their leos this season, and Florida absolutely delivered. This rhinestone mask is everything I didn’t know I needed and more.
Allie: 7.700
Design 2.0/3, Fabric 0.6/1, Sparkle 1.0/1, School Spirit 0.5/1, Uniqueness 1.0/1, Overall Appearance 2.6/3
I was so happy when I saw this, and I am on board with anything that involves getting teams to show off their masks. I hope we have more matching masks ahead of us this season!
Brandis: 7.100
Design 1.5/3, Fabric 0.6/1, Sparkle 1.0/1, School Spirit 0.5/1, Uniqueness 1.0/1, Overall Appearance 2.5/3
Props to Florida for even thinking of a matching mask! A little bit of overkill with the sparkle for me, but I’m hoping we get more decked out masks throughout the season!
Christina: 7.400
Design 2/3, Fabric 0.6/1, Sparkle 1/1, School Spirit 0.3/1, Uniqueness 1/1, Overall Appearance 2.5/3
I love this, and now every team must have matching masks to their leotards. I don’t care that it’s there’s a budget and you can’t get scraps on a five-year-old leo… As for Florida, please wear this one next.
READ THIS NEXT: Leotard Rankings: Editors’ Choice
Article by Elizabeth Grimsley, Allie DiBiase, Brandis Heffner and Christina Marmet
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