With level 10 nationals this past weekend and a new leo debuted, we decided we needed to take a look back at all the recent designs over the years and determine our favorite. Are you fond of a particular year? Let us know in the comments or on social media!
2021: 9.675
Elizabeth: 9.600 (1st)
When I saw this leo for the first time, I automatically knew it would be my No. 1. Not because it’s fantastic, but because it’s simply better than all the others. I like the ombre and the sweetheart neckline—something I remember wishing for in past years—as well as the sparkles on the body.
Carolyn: 9.800 (1st)
Without a doubt, this is my favorite level 10 nationals leo ever! I just love the design, ombre and sparkles. If I did have to add something, I would include more sparkles on the bodice, but other than that it looks very clean and sharp!
Mary Emma: 9.500 (2nd)
This is my second favorite of the bunch. I LOVE the ombre sleeves, and the sweetheart neckline with the sparkles is really nice. My only complaint is that the region number is kind of hard to see when the gymnast is in motion, since it’s on the sleeve.
Tara: 9.800 (1st)
I LOVE this! I enjoy the ombre sleeves, the colored straps that come off of the sweetheart neckline and just the right amount of sparkle.
2019: 9.450
Elizabeth: 9.200 (3rd)
I like the trend of using matte black with the regional color to really make that color pop. In this design I like the subtle ombre and shoulder chest design.
Carolyn: 9.500 (2nd)
I love this type of spotlight coloring where the color isn’t quite ombre, but it isn’t a solid color either; it just kinda fades in and then is all of a sudden there. I like how the sparkles make a clear design and create the region number, and even though it is odd to say, my favorite part are the lines around the collar bones/shoulders.
Mary Emma: 9.400 (3rd)
I have similar feelings about this one as I do about the 2021 leo. I don’t think I like it quite as much as that one, but I do appreciate the region number being on the chest rather than the arm.
Tara: 9.700 (2nd)
This one is a very close second for me. I really love the placement of the ombre, and I enjoy the sparkles on the front. While the region number on the front could be overbearing, it works with the design really well!
2018: 9.400
Elizabeth: 9.400 (2nd)
While I don’t absolutely love any of the level 10 nationals leo designs, this is my favorite of the bunch. I like how much color there is on it, as well as the addition of white, breaking up the trend of mostly black + regional color designs we typically see.
Carolyn: 8.800 (5th)
It is a nice, modern nationals leo, but the one boring black arm and sunflower-y pattern don’t do it for me. However, it is certainly not as bad as some of the older ones, so it is higher on my list.
Mary Emma: 9.800 (1st)
This one is still my favorite leo of the bunch. I love the use of white in the pattern on the top. The region color really stands out here and makes it easier to tell the regions apart, and the number is easy to see. Plus this one will always hold a special place in my heart because this was the nationals when I really started paying attention to recruiting.
Tara: 9.600 (3rd)
I love the starburst design on it and how it subtly incorporates the region number! Plus, it has a touch of ombre that accentuates the region color.
2017: 9.0687
Elizabeth: 8.400 (5th)
Deciding between this year and 2016 for my third place was tough because the arms are so similar. I like the front design here, but don’t like how disjointed the arms look from the side paneling.
Carolyn: 9.475 (3rd)
This one was a close second to my No. 2 leo mostly because they both have solid black bodices and the sparkles make up the chest design, but my No. 2 leo takes the cake because of the continuation of the collarbone/shoulder lines on the back.
Mary Emma: 9.000 (4th)
I really like this one. I love the sleeve design and how white is incorporated. My only gripe is the “Region X” on the sleeve is really hard to make out.
Tara: 9.400 (4th)
Like Mary Emma, I enjoy how the white is incorporated in this leo. It makes the sleeves stand out. I also love the sparkle pattern on the front. It’s similar to 2016, but I like this one more because I prefer the colored side panel to the tie-dye effect.
2016: 8.850
Elizabeth: 8.500 (4th)
Again, I like the addition of white in this design. In 2017, the tie-dye-ish pattern looks too subtle, but this design really lets you know that’s what it’s going for. Plus, the overall shape is good and is flattering on all the gymnasts.
Carolyn: 9.200 (4th)
This is great! My only complaint is not being able to see the sparkly number from afar; it just looks like a glob of glitter from across the arena.
Mary Emma: 8.900 (5th)
Similar to the 2017 one, I really like the tie-dye-esque pattern on the sleeves and the use of white. I do appreciate that the region number is not on the sleeves, but like Carolyn said, it’s hard to make out since it’s surrounded by more sparkles.
Tara: 8.800 (5th)
I love the contrast of the white and colored tie-dye sleeves with the black bodice. The sparkle pattern is good too, though it is hard to make out the region number like Mary Emma and Carolyn pointed out.
2011: 7.600
Elizabeth: 7.700 (6th)
Full disclosure, I have some extra love for 2011 since it was the year I competed at Easterns, but I would like this design either way. I like the sort of triangular color watch effect and the use of the shiny fabric to really make the color stand out.
Carolyn: 8.200 (7th)
Cute! I’m mainly liking how the accent color meets up with the black on the collarbone area and how when the gymnast has her arms straight out on each side, the color design forms a straight line across her arm, chest and then other arm.
Mary Emma: 6.600 (12th)
OK, these are all starting to blend together for me now. This one is a bit better than the 2012 one, as there are a few sparkles on the front that make the design stand out more.
Tara: 7.900 (8th)
I like the continuation of the color from the sleeves down to the sides and how it comes together when the gymnast raises her arms. I also love the shiny fabric and subtle sparkles on the front.
2013: 7.125
Elizabeth: 6.700 (8th)
I like this despite how simple it is. The placement of the white gives the overall design an athletic look, which I like.
Carolyn: 6.500 (9th)
This leo is very flattering on every gymnast, so I like that. And like Elizabeth said, the white on the chest and sides gives it an athletic look. But we all know how much I like sparkles, so I would just add a smidge of those somewhere to make this leo even better.
Mary Emma: 7.800 (7th)
This one is pretty simple, but I like the athletic look of it. The color really pops, but like a couple of others above, “Region X” is on the sleeves and super hard to make out.
Tara: 7.500 (10th)
This one is super simple, but it has a very athletic look that also highlights the color. It’s flattering on the gymnasts and is just a good design overall.
2010: 6.975
Elizabeth: 4.900 (12th)
I probably would have placed this leo higher if it weren’t for the random chest straps. Those kind of ruin the leo for me. Otherwise it’s a solid design with a good amount of sparkle.
Carolyn: 7.700 (8th)
I like the back straps on this one and the amount of sparkles on the chest, but I need some kind of indicator on what region this leo is! Add a number or something of that sort!
Mary Emma: 6.800 (10th)
The thin straps on the chest make this leo a little different than some of the others in this era, but it’s still pretty much the same design as a lot of the others.
Tara: 8.500 (6th)
If you can’t tell, I love a lot of the sparkle patterns on these leos, and this one is no exception. I think the colored sleeves cut off in the right place, and unlike Elizabeth, I enjoy the chest straps.
2015: 6.425
Elizabeth: 6.100 (9th)
This design is too one note. The color certainly pops, which is good for telling regions apart, but it’s just a little too boring for my taste. There are better designs.
Carolyn: 5.000 (11th)
Too boring for me. Those sleeves are too shiny for my liking, and it would be SO much cooler if there were streamline sparkles on the underside of the sleeves.
Mary Emma: 7.400 (8th)
This one is fine. I do appreciate that the color really pops, and the region number is easier to make out. But it’s just a bit boring.
Tara: 7.200 (11th)
If I didn’t know this was from 2015, I would’ve expected it to be a much older leo. All the elements just aren’t quite coming together for me, and I don’t like the random gap between the sparkles and where the colors change.
2008: 6.300
Elizabeth: 5.100 (14th)
The thicker neckline works for me here, and it differentiates the design from other similar years.
Carolyn: 6.000 (10th)
Ugh the shiny arms. I do appreciate how many sparkles there were for a 2008 leo and how nicely the neckline looks with the design, but it’s still not my favorite.
Mary Emma: 7.000 (9th)
OK, this is very similar to many of the others, but for some reason, I like it the most out of all of those similar ones. I like the sparkles on this one a lot, and the black V-neck really works for me.
Tara: 7.100 (12th)
Another black and color leo with a hint of sparkle on front. I like the shiny arms and appreciate the sparkle, but that’s about it.
2009: 6.100
Elizabeth: 4.200 (13th)
The amount of color used is awesome, but I really hate the asymmetry of this design and the random second swatch of black/color along the divide.
Carolyn: 8.500 (6th)
I believe Cincinnati Gymnastics used this leo a couple years after it was used in this instance, and I like both examples! Contrary to Elizabeth (funnily enough), I actually like the asymmetry on this leo and the random second swatch of black/color along the divide! How lovely!
Mary Emma: 5.800 (14th)
I don’t particularly like the design of this one, but it’s different from all the others, so it gets some extra points for that.
Tara: 5.900 (13th)
I love the color, but I don’t love the design. I enjoy the asymmetry, though.
2012: 5.850
Elizabeth: 7.300 (7th)
This design avoids being boring thanks to its square neckline, which makes it stand out just enough from the other years. It could use a little more sparkle, but I know budgets are limited for these.
Carolyn: 2.000 (14th)
Yuck. There is nothing to critique on this because there is nothing there. I need ~something!~
Mary Emma: 6.400 (13th)
I like the different neckline, but overall, there just isn’t much going on in this design.
Tara: 7.700 (9th)
This is pretty much your standard black and color leo. I like it, but there’s nothing really special about it except the different neckline.
2007: 5.650
Elizabeth: 5.500 (10th)
This design was SO popular back in the mid-2000s. I like the use of white, but I can’t imagine what this leo would look like with some of the other regional colors (that much bubblegum pink with white would be a huge no). No wonder they switched to primarily black + color designs. Either way, I like the design for what it is here. It’s at least more interesting than what we got in subsequent years.
Carolyn: 3.500 (13th)
The swirl design makes it look like an arrow is pointing to the gymnast’s left armpit! Why does that one swirl have to go above the rest of the design? It looks so weird from afar! Why does it seem as though in 2007, nationals was held in different locations? I have so many feelings!
Mary Emma: 8.400 (6th)
I actually really like this one. It’s so much different from all the others, and I like the swirl pattern, even though it was definitely overdone at the time. But I appreciate it after looking at so many different variations of black leos with colored sleeves.
Tara: 5.200 (14th)
This was a popular design back in the day, but I don’t really love it. It’s definitely different than the rest of the nationals leos though, so I’ll give it that.
2014: 5.575
Elizabeth: 3.000 (14th)
For some reason I absolutely hate this design. Yes, it incorporates white, but it does so in a way I really dislike. The criss-cross white lines are a big no and the leo is incredibly boring as well.
Carolyn: 4.400 (12th)
I wish the lines were the color of the sleeves or there were straps on the back, but hey! It says “Region X” on the arms in sparkles! That’s something!
Mary Emma: 6.700 (11th)
I actually like the white stripes used, but overall this one is a bit boring. Like the 2017 one, it has “Region X” on the sleeve, which is really hard to read, especially in motion.
Tara: 8.200 (7th)
I’ve always enjoyed this design. There’s just something I like about the criss-cross chest lines and inverted V pattern. It’s simple but not too boring either.
READ THIS NEXT: Leotard Rankings: 2021 Level 10 Clubs
Article by Elizabeth Grimsley, Carolyn Lien, Mary Emma Burton, Tara Graeve
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