leotard rankings graphic

Leotard Rankings: Week 9

It’s NCAA gymnastics season and the leotards are as sparkly as ever. And with new designs comes your favorite series: Leotard Rankings! Each week we’re analyzing leotard debuts to find our weekly faves. There will be up to three points for design, up to one point each for fabric, sparkle, school spirit and uniqueness, and up to three points for overall appearance. This week Allison, Emily M and Claire are joining our editor-in-chief, Elizabeth, to help judge.

Don’t agree with our ranking? Make your opinion heard by voting in the fan poll at the end of the article each week or voicing your thoughts on social media. And, wondering where the new NCGA and USAG team leos are? Check out our ranking of those leotards the week after each respective national championship at the end of the season.

Temple: 8.700

View a video of this leotard here.

Illustrated headshot of Elizabeth GrimsleyElizabeth: 7.800

Design 2.5/3, Fabric 0.8/1, Sparkle 0.7/1, Theme Spirit 0.9/1, Uniqueness 0.9/1, Overall Appearance 2.0/3

This is a little too overt for me. I tend to prefer a more subtle representation of a theme—think Pitt’s or UCLA’s Pride leos. The design on the leo, though, is fantastic. I love the multidimensional sweetheart look that’s going on and the ombre effect. However, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, the back may be too strappy? It’s a LOT. Maybe 50% fewer straps and it would be great. Overall this is a good leo though.

Illustrated headshot of Allison FreemanAllison: 9.000

Design 2.8/3, Fabric 0.8/1, Sparkle 0.5/1, Theme Spirit 1.0/1, Uniqueness 1.0/1, Overall Appearance 2.9/3

No notes. Like Emily, all I want is MORE sparkle, and while I don’t hate the mesh sleeves here, I wouldn’t say no to some rainbow sparkles down the sleeve. Unrelated, how do I go about buying one to wear? 

Illustrated headshot of Emily MinehartEmily M: 9.100

Design 2.8/3, Fabric 1/1, Sparkle 0.6_/1, Theme Spirit 1/1, Uniqueness 0.9/1, Overall Appearance 2.8/3

The way the pattern echoes the sweetheart neck? Stunning. Back straps? Stunning. Well-executed nude mesh? Stunning (who am I?!). This goes all in, and I dig it. I just wish it had a little more sparkle.

Illustrated headshot of Claire BillmanClaire: 8.900

Design 2.3/3, Fabric 1/1, Sparkle 1/1, Theme Spirit 1/1, Uniqueness 1/1, Overall Appearance 2.7/3

I have yet to meet a Temple leo I didn’t like, and this one’s another knockout in my book! I’m not generally a fan of faux sleeveless leos, but it suits this design. Echoing Allison, I just wish this had a little more sparkle on the sleeves.

Utah: 8.400

View a video of this leotard here.

Illustrated headshot of Elizabeth GrimsleyElizabeth: 8.400

Design 2.4/3, Fabric 0.8/1, Sparkle 0.9/1, School Spirit 0.9/1, Uniqueness 0.8/1, Overall Appearance 2.6/3

I really like this. The back is great, the mostly black look is flattering, and the lace/patterned fabric on the sleeves actually works by elevating the design without making it too busy. I might have liked the sparkle faux neckline to extend out a bit more, but I like how the silver rhinestones are mixed with the red ones. Plus, of course a great tribute to 22.

Illustrated headshot of Allison FreemanAllison: 8.300

Design 2.5/3, Fabric 0.9/1, Sparkle 0.8/1, School Spirit 0.7/1, Uniqueness 0.9/1, Overall Appearance 2.5/3

Lacy, sparkles, straps, and a tribute. I love this leo. It’s not too busy despite having a lot going on, and I mean a lot. The open, strappy back—bold but this looks so good. I enjoy the pop of red on the sides too; it keeps the leo fresh and more modern to me. 

Illustrated headshot of Emily MinehartEmily M: 8.400

Design 2.5/3, Fabric 0.9/1, Sparkle 0.8/1, School Spirit 1/1, Uniqueness 0.8/1, Overall Appearance 2.4/3

The meaning behind this leo is really heartwarming, and the design lives up to it. I love the low, strappy back and the crystal pattern. I also don’t hate the sleeves since it was really subtle in motion. It’s overall a really elegant look. Just those dang side cutouts! 

Illustrated headshot of Claire BillmanClaire: 8.500

Design 2.3/3, Fabric 0.9/1, Sparkle 1/1, School Spirit 1/1, Uniqueness 0.8/1, Overall Appearance 2.5/3

This does a nice job of balancing so many elements into a cohesive design. The lace and sparkle are perfect, and the red on the sides gives it a little unexpected edginess. All in all, a lovely tribute to Aaron Lowe.

Maryland: 7.550

View images of this leotard here.

Illustrated headshot of Elizabeth GrimsleyElizabeth: 7.600

Design 2.4/3, Fabric 0.8/1, Sparkle 0.7/1, School Spirit 0.5/1, Uniqueness 0.6/1, Overall Appearance 2.6/3

This leo was very underwhelming to me at first, but once I saw it on the gymnasts and in action, it really grew on me. I love the cut of it and the shape of the top—no mesh seams is a huge win and the design is flattering and gives an athletic look to all the gymnasts. I wish red was incorporated somehow, but the matte white and grayish-black mesh is nice in and of itself. The back is also unique without being crazy.

Illustrated headshot of Allison FreemanAllison: 7.100

Design 2.3/3, Fabric 0.8/1, Sparkle 0.7/1, School Spirit 0.4/1, Uniqueness 0.6/1, Overall Appearance 2.3/3

If a tuxedo was made into a leo, this would be it. And I really like it! I love the mesh and straps on the back, and I am DIGGING the belt. The neckline—all of it. It’s so elegant and timeless. 

Illustrated headshot of Emily MinehartEmily M: 7.600

Design 2.4/3, Fabric 0.9/1, Sparkle 0.6/1, School Spirit 0.5/1, Uniqueness 0.7/1, Overall Appearance 2.5/3

Ooooh Maryland! I love a neutral look. I can’t think of another active Terp leo that doesn’t use red and yellow? The design on the back is interesting without being overpowering, the belt is really elegant and sparkly, and the white stands out. I wish there were a dash more of school spirit, maybe a tiny crystal flag at mid-back or somesuch, but I really do enjoy this.

Illustrated headshot of Claire BillmanClaire: 7.900

Design 2.3/3, Fabric 0.9/1, Sparkle 0.7/1, School Spirit 0.5/1, Uniqueness 0.8/1, Overall Appearance 2.7/3

I wasn’t quite sure what to think when I saw the teaser images, but I am very pleasantly surprised! The back isn’t my favorite, but the front is absolutely killer. I do wish there was a pop of red and yellow somewhere, because nothing about this says, “Maryland,” to me.

Minnesota: 7.300

View a video of this leotard here.

Illustrated headshot of Elizabeth GrimsleyElizabeth: 7.800

Design 2.2/3, Fabric 0.7/1, Sparkle 0.8/1, School Spirit 0.8/1, Uniqueness 0.9/1, Overall Appearance 2.4/3

The sides are going to be controversial, but I like them! Especially since the fabric separating the two nude mesh sections is covered in rhinestones. The rest of the design is relatively simple, but it’s not boring either. A good one for Minnesota, and I like the use of yellow rhinestones too.

Illustrated headshot of Allison FreemanAllison: 8.100

Design 2.2/3, Fabric 0.7/1, Sparkle 0.8/1, School Spirit 0.9/1, Uniqueness 0.9/1, Overall Appearance 2.6/3

Honestly, I’m in love. I LOVE collars on leos—I don’t know what it is. The sparkle rhinestone collar, the mesh cutouts on the side with more sparkles, the golden M on the back, the sweetheart neckline… I mean, come on. The pearl looking rhinestones? More of this!

Illustrated headshot of Emily MinehartEmily M: 5.400

Design 2.0/3, Fabric 0.6/1, Sparkle 0.9/1, School Spirit 0.8/1, Uniqueness 0.5/1, Overall Appearance 0.6/3

Side cutouts! SIDE CUTOUTS. And these are EVEN WORSE than usual because they have a weird sparkle band in the middle of the mesh that draws your eye right to…everyone’s belly button?! Honestly, take out the cutouts and this is like a 9.500 leo to me, everything else is so delightful. The cutouts totally ruined it for me because when I look at it all I can see is everyone’s middle.

Illustrated headshot of Claire BillmanClaire: 7.900

Design 2.3/3, Fabric 0.8/1, Sparkle 1/1, School Spirit 0.7/1, Uniqueness 0.6/1, Overall Appearance 2.5/3

This isn’t the most innovative design, but it is very pretty and well-executed. The side cutouts are better than most since they tie-in with the collar, and the pearls are a stellar touch!

Michigan: 6.700

View a video of this leotard here.

Illustrated headshot of Elizabeth GrimsleyElizabeth: 6.400

Design 1.5/3, Fabric 0.5/1, Sparkle 0.8/1, School Spirit 0.8/1, Uniqueness 0.8/1, Overall Appearance 2.0/3

I thought the mesh was blue… I liked it better when I thought it was blue. Either way, the yellow bands are great, and I like the rhinestones on top making them really pop. What I don’t like is the double fabric on the chest making it look a little UCLA boob hammock-y. It’s not anywhere near as bad as that leo, but it’s not my favorite design either.

Illustrated headshot of Allison FreemanAllison: 7.500

Design 2.2/3, Fabric 0.6/1, Sparkle 0.8/1, School Spirit 0.8/1, Uniqueness 0.8/1, Overall Appearance 2.3/3

I’m loving the loopy gold design and the continuity from front to back. The Sparkles along the collar and down the back. The sparkles on the sleeves. No wonder they were the victors during this leo debut. 

Illustrated headshot of Emily MinehartEmily M: 5.800

Design 1.8/3, Fabric 0.2/1, Sparkle 0.8/1, School Spirit 0.8/1, Uniqueness 0.7/1, Overall Appearance 1.5/3

How many times will I type “side cutouts” in one week? A lot, apparently. Here they are again! These ones I actually get, they’re part of the flow of the design, so I don’t hate them as much. The nude mesh is nude mesh. At first on the broadcast I thought it was the better, more subtle mesh. But no, it’s the “you get either light or dark that’s all we have” GK mesh. So two elements I hate on a leo I otherwise love. Sigh. 

Illustrated headshot of Claire BillmanClaire: 7.100

Design 2.5/3, Fabric 0.3/1, Sparkle 0.9/1, School Spirit 0.8/1, Uniqueness 0.8/1, Overall Appearance 1.7/3

The concept is definitely better than the overall execution: It looked phenomenal on the handful of gymnasts whose skin tones actually matched the mesh. I also don’t understand why the gold band stops abruptly on the chest. The blue mesh loping over the collar is a very subtle but very cool detail. 

Florida: 6.000

View an image of this leotard here.

Illustrated headshot of Elizabeth GrimsleyElizabeth: 6.000

Design 2.0/3, Fabric 0.7/1, Sparkle 0.7/1, School Spirit 0.6/1, Uniqueness 0.5/1, Overall Appearance 1.5/3

Zzz… I’m shocked. It’s another blue leo with white mesh sleeves. The design is pretty nice, and of course I like the back, but overall I’m just so bored. Good job with the orange rhinestones though.

Illustrated headshot of Allison FreemanAllison: 5.400

Design 1.5/3, Fabric 0.5/1, Sparkle 0.8/1, School Spirit 0.4/1, Uniqueness 0.7/1, Overall Appearance 1.5/3

There’s nothing bad or wrong with this leo, but I just want to Florida to have more gator-y things. I do love the orange rhinestones, but I would love to see a little more orange. I’m absolutely loving the open back and scallop design on the front, though. And I love this shade of blue. 

Illustrated headshot of Emily MinehartEmily M: 5.500

Design 1.8/3, Fabric 0.6/1, Sparkle 0.5/1, School Spirit 0.6/1, Uniqueness 0.6/1, Overall Appearance 1.4/3

The scallops are nice! I hate side cutouts always, so that’s a no for me. I know they’re slimming and mirror fashion trends, but ugh, I hate them so much. The crystal pattern is a little chaotic, too. The back is perfect, though, no notes.

Illustrated headshot of Claire BillmanClaire: 7.100

Design 2/3, Fabric 1/1, Sparkle 1/1, School Spirit 0.5/1, Uniqueness 0.6/1, Overall Appearance 2/3

There’s a lot I like about this: The scalloped bodice is gorgeous, the open back is really flattering and the orange crystals look fantastic against the blue. It loses me with all the white mesh, though. If it’d had orange ombre sleeves, orange piping or just something other than white on white on white, it’d be a showstopper.  

Missouri: 5.800

Illustrated headshot of Elizabeth GrimsleyElizabeth: 6.000

Design 1.7/3, Fabric 0.6/1, Sparkle 0.6/1, Theme Spirit 0.7/1, Uniqueness 0.6/1, Overall Appearance 1.8/3

This is essentially a leo Missouri already has but turned pink. I like it fine. The pink blobs on the biceps are sort of weird, but I do like the shade used. Overall it’s a good leo but nothing special.

Illustrated headshot of Allison FreemanAllison: 6.000

Design 1.5/3, Fabric 0.8/1, Sparkle 0.8/1, Theme Spirit 0.7/1, Uniqueness 0.5/1, Overall Appearance 1.7/3

I’m not a big pink fan in general, but I am a devout black leotard gal and this does it for me. I enjoy the faux-strappy back and the seemingly endless sparkles that wrap all the way around. It needs a little something more for me—I’m not sure what—but leave the Missouri down the side in pink. I love that. 

Illustrated headshot of Emily MinehartEmily M: 5.700

Design 1.5/3, Fabric 0.6/1, Sparkle 0.5/1, Theme Spirit 0.8/1, Uniqueness 0.5/1, Overall Appearance 1.8/3

This leo isn’t sure if it’s a pretty leo or an athletic leo, so it comes off a little weird to me. Nebraska uses the same base design but goes more in on the pretty side, so maybe that’s what’s throwing me. I agree that the arm blobs are weird.

Illustrated headshot of Claire BillmanClaire: 5.500

Design 1.5/3, Fabric 0.5/1, Sparkle 0.5/1, Theme Spirit 0.7/1, Uniqueness 0.5/1, Overall Appearance 1.5/3

I think I’ve got Pink Meet leo fatigue… I’m usually the resident hot pink apologist, but I’m not totally sold on this design. The rhinestone “Missouri” on the ribs is a nice touch, but the arm blobs are actually my favorite part!

N.C. State: 4.800

View images of this leotard here and images of the details here.

Illustrated headshot of Elizabeth GrimsleyElizabeth: 3.800

Design 0.5/3, Fabric 0.1/1, Sparkle 0.5/1, School Spirit 0.8/1, Uniqueness 0.9/1, Overall Appearance 1.0/3

Last week the gymternet said I wonder if the Rutgers short sleeve leo would be improved with sleeves, and N.C. State said say less. And then the gymternet got its answer that no, it would not be improved with sleeves. I really dislike this. There’s WAY too much fabric, and it looks bunchy and weird. The one thing I like, though, is the subtle “Wolf” and “Pack” on the sleeve cuffs.

Illustrated headshot of Allison FreemanAllison: 7.000

Design 2.0/3, Fabric 0.8/1, Sparkle 0.5/1, School Spirit 0.6/1, Uniqueness 0.8/1, Overall Appearance 2.3/3

So, I would give the front of this leo a strong 8.000, but the back is a bit of a weak 5.000 for me. I honestly love this mesh business that’s happening in the front, but I need a little more cohesion with the design on the back. Maybe some rhinestones or something strappy (or both!). But I enjoy the bold mesh.

Illustrated headshot of Emily MinehartEmily M: 4.700

Design 0.8/3, Fabric 0.3/1, Sparkle 0.8_/1, School Spirit 0.8/1, Uniqueness 1/1, Overall Appearance 1.0/3

What are we doing with this fabric overlay trend? There’s just so much fabric here, especially around the neckline where there’s three layers. The sleeves are nice with that school spirit, but phew I’m not a fan. Full points for uniqueness, I guess!

Illustrated headshot of Claire BillmanClaire: 3.700

Design 0.5/3, Fabric 0.5/1, Sparkle 0.7/1, School Spirit 0.5/1, Uniqueness 1/1, Overall Appearance 0.5/3

I don’t get the fabric overlay trend either, Emily. This looks like the front and back of two different leos were sewn together and then wrapped in white mesh. The redeeming factors for me are the red body with the dripping crystal design and the “Wolf” and “Pack” on the wrists, but not a fan of the design as a whole.  

Fan Poll

Congrats to Arkansas for winning the Week 8 fan poll! Vote for your favorite from Week 9 here.

READ THIS NEXT: Leotard Rankings: Week 8


Article by Elizabeth Grimsley, Allison Freeman, Emily Minehart and Claire Billman

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One comment

  1. Absolutely loved the Michigan one and that the ‘nude’ pieces actually coordinated with the skin tones. Also really liked the Rutgers one…it was so different and unique to the same old designs we typically see.

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