leotard rankings graphic

Leotard Rankings: Week 10

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 Alyssa, Tavia and Christina 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.

George Washington: 7.375

View images of this leotard here.

Illustrated headshot of Elizabeth GrimsleyElizabeth: 7.500

Design 2.2/3, Fabric 0.8/1, Sparkle 0.8/1, School Spirit 0.7/1, Uniqueness 0.7/1, Overall Appearance 2.3/3

I really like this! It’s simple but has throwback vibes. I like that the GW logo is the star, and I also like the symmetry between the mesh arm stripes and the same panels going down the sides. The back is also simple but not boring.

Illustrated headshot of Alyssa Van AukerAlyssa: 7.000

Design 2.0/3, Fabric 0.6/1, Sparkle 0.7/1, School Spirit 0.8/1, Uniqueness 0.7/1, Overall Appearance 2.2/3

This is a great way to do a sporty vibe leotard while still having the glitz. It uses the classic rhinestone logo, but what really makes it is the mesh stripe on the sleeves.

Illustrated headshot of Tavia SmithTavia: 6.700

Design 2.0/3, Fabric 0.6/1, Sparkle 0.7/1, School Spirit 0.8/1, Uniqueness 0.5/1, Overall Appearance 2.1/3

It’s pretty basic but looks clean and sharp. I love the mesh stripe down the sleeves and the use of so much sparkle. The back is a bit plain, but I don’t have a valid alternative to suggest. 

Christina: 8.300

Design 2.6/3, Fabric 0.8/1, Sparkle 0.8/1, School Spirit 0.8/1, Uniqueness 0.6/1, Overall Appearance 2.7/3

I love this look! Honestly, I don’t have many criticisms. I like the color, the design, the sparkles, and the parallelism of it all. I’m here for the sporty vibe.

Nebraska: 7.050

Illustrated headshot of Elizabeth GrimsleyElizabeth: 7.300

Design 2.2/3, Fabric 0.8/1, Sparkle 0.7/1, School Spirit 0.6/1, Uniqueness 0.6/1, Overall Appearance 2.4/3

This is good! I love the matte white, the sweetheart neckline and the high cut of the belt. I also really like the back. This is very SylviaP, so good job GK. I sort of wish the bottom was red instead of black—or the arm ombre was black instead of red—but overall this is a good one.

Illustrated headshot of Alyssa Van AukerAlyssa: 6.600

Design 2/3, Fabric 0.8/1, Sparkle 0.7/1, School Spirit 0.4/1, Uniqueness 0.5/1, Overall Appearance 2.2/3

I wasn’t expecting this design from Nebraska. I like the neckline and the matte white, but I just feel like it’s missing something. This is a solid leotard though.

Illustrated headshot of Tavia SmithTavia: 7.000

Design 2.2/3, Fabric 0.6/1, Sparkle 0.7/1, School Spirit 0.7/1, Uniqueness 0.6/1, Overall Appearance 2.2/3

Basic and classic. We love to see that from Nebraska. The Cornhuskers have really toned it down this season in the best way. Love the sleeves and the Nebraska back strap. I can’t say I’ve ever seen one of those straps in mesh fabric before, so that’s interesting from a seam perspective. 

Christina: 7.300

Design 2.3/3, Fabric 0.7/1, Sparkle 0.7/1, School Spirit 0.8/1, Uniqueness 0.6/1, Overall Appearance 2.2/3

I like this look! I do wish the transition between the white and black was a bit less abrupt or that the bottom was red like Elizabeth suggested. The ombré sleeves are lovely, and I really like the sweetheart neckline.

Arizona: 6.650

View images of this leotard here.

Illustrated headshot of Elizabeth GrimsleyElizabeth: 7.000

Design 2.0/3, Fabric 0.8/1, Sparkle 0.8/1, School Spirit 0.7/1, Uniqueness 0.7/1, Overall Appearance 2.0/3

This reminds me of the Utah leo debuted last year. I love the use of larger, colored rhinestones but wish some blue ones had been incorporated in as well. I also think the nude mesh does a better job than most at matching the gymnasts’ skin tones—it has more of a pink hue that is more similar to human skin when it comes to the lighter version.

Illustrated headshot of Alyssa Van AukerAlyssa: 7.500

Design 2.5/3, Fabric 0.6/1, Sparkle 0.9/1, School Spirit 0.7/1, Uniqueness 0.6/1, Overall Appearance 2.2/3

I really like the use of larger rhinestones on the nude mesh here. I am not one that is averse to nude mesh, and I like the application in this case. I feel like the body could have been more solid, but I like the design overall.

Illustrated headshot of Tavia SmithTavia: 6.300

Design 1.8/3, Fabric 0.3/1, Sparkle 0.7/1, School Spirit 0.8/1, Uniqueness 0.7/1, Overall Appearance 2.0/3

The back is the redeeming factor here for me. I’m not prone to loving nude mesh OR ozone fabric in general, so I’m trying to keep that bias to a minimum. I like the use of red and silver jewels to accent the nude sleeve. Not super obsessed with the jewel design on the body, though. 

Christina: 5.800

Design 1.8/3, Fabric 0.3/1, Sparkle 0.7/1, School Spirit 0.8/1, Uniqueness 0.5/1, Overall Appearance 1.7/3

This isn’t it for me. I mean, it’s fine. There’s too much nude mesh for my taste. I do like the shade of red used as well as the back, but I also could have done without the diamond sparkle pattern on the sides.

Rutgers: 6.475

View a video of this leotard here and images here.

Illustrated headshot of Elizabeth GrimsleyElizabeth: 6.500

Design 1.6/3, Fabric 0.6/1, Sparkle 0.8/1, School Spirit 0.8/1, Uniqueness 0.9/1, Overall Appearance 1.8/3

This isn’t bad, but I don’t love it either. There’s so much going on. Lately, Rutgers has fallen into the more is more mindset, like it has all these cool ideas and feels like it has to add them ALL to a single leo. I like the amount of sparkle here, the red stripes down the arms and the black arm fabric, but all together it’s a bit much.

Illustrated headshot of Alyssa Van AukerAlyssa: 6.200

Design 1.5/3, Fabric 0.5/1, Sparkle 0.9/1, School Spirit 0.7/1, Uniqueness 0.9/1, Overall Appearance 1.7/3

I like this leotard, but I don’t love it. I am not a fan of the design on the mesh, but I also don’t know if I would like it better if it were solid. I like the use of rhinestones though.

Illustrated headshot of Tavia SmithTavia: 6.300

Design 1.5/3, Fabric 0.6/1, Sparkle 0.8/1, School Spirit 0.9/1, Uniqueness 0.8/1, Overall Appearance 1.7/3

The business-meeting neckline kills me every time. It’s giving me queen of hearts energy, which kind of goes along with all of Rutgers’ marketing this year, so that’s a bonus in the theme department. I could do without the screen-printed lace and the side cutouts though. 

Christina: 6.900

Design 1.9/3, Fabric 0.5/1, Sparkle 0.7/1, School Spirit 0.8/1, Uniqueness 1/1, Overall Appearance 2.0/3

Mixed feelings here. My initial reaction seeing the front was, “Wow this is badass.” Then, I was a bit disappointed in the back. Like Elizabeth said, it’s a bit too much to be on one leo. This easily could have been two different designs: one with a solid bodice and the other using a bit more mesh. I also could have done without the side cutouts, as usual. 

LSU: 6.350

View images of this leotard here.

Illustrated headshot of Elizabeth GrimsleyElizabeth: 6.300

Design 1.5/3, Fabric 0.7/1, Sparkle 0.8/1, School Spirit 0.7/1, Uniqueness 0.6/1, Overall Appearance 2.0/3

This is fine. I preferred it when Angelica Labat did it at nationals when she made it as an individual for Illinois State, but I do like this purple version as well, especially the use of yellow sparkles. Otherwise it’s a bit too much mesh for me, and a little too bikini-with-underboob.

Illustrated headshot of Alyssa Van AukerAlyssa: 6.100

Design 1.6/3, Fabric 0.8/1, Sparkle 0.8/1, School Spirit 0.5/1, Uniqueness 0.4/1, Overall Appearance 2.0/3

This pains me to speak negatively of a purple leo, but if I did not know it was new, I would assume that LSU had worn it before. I like the use of gold sparkles, but I am not a fan of the excessive mesh.

Illustrated headshot of Tavia SmithTavia: 6.700

Design 2.0/3, Fabric 0.6/1, Sparkle 0.8/1, School Spirit 0.8/1, Uniqueness 0.3/1, Overall Appearance 2.2/3

Another purple leo with sparkles. Looks fine, but it’s nothing groundbreaking. I’m not super amused with how high the mesh goes in the front either. 

Christina: 6.300

Design 1.8/3, Fabric 0.6/1, Sparkle 0.8/1, School Spirit 0.6/1, Uniqueness 0.5/1, Overall Appearance 2.0/3

I agree with everything else said above. This is a fine look but nothing groundbreaking. A bit too much mesh for my tastes, but I do like this shade of purple.

Pittsburgh: 5.825

View a video of this leotard here.

Illustrated headshot of Elizabeth GrimsleyElizabeth: 5.700

Design 1.5/3, Fabric 0.6/1, Sparkle 0.7/1, School Spirit 0.7/1, Uniqueness 0.9/1, Overall Appearance 1.8/3

I don’t hate this as much as I should, but it’s still not amazing. I really like the arm and side pattern, and the back is nice too. I also like how much the yellow script Pitt on the sleeve stands out. What I don’t like is the cut of the solid blue fabric and the weird chest hole.

Illustrated headshot of Alyssa Van AukerAlyssa: 6.500

Design 1.7/3, Fabric 0.6/1, Sparkle 0.6/1, School Spirit 0.7/1, Uniqueness 0.9/1, Overall Appearance 2.0/3

I actually don’t hate this leo. I don’t mind chest hole, so that is not a turn off for me, but the sleeve and side design is a lot. It’s overpowering, and the sides made me think I would hate this, but while the gymnasts were competing, I kind of liked that it was a pattern and not mesh like most teams go for.

Illustrated headshot of Tavia SmithTavia: 5.400

Design 1.2/3, Fabric 0.5/1, Sparkle 0.8/1, School Spirit 0.7/1, Uniqueness 0.9/1, Overall Appearance 1.3/3

Spiderman, is that you? Honestly, I think I could stomach the pattern if it wasn’t on the torso. Also, the huge upper chest cutout is an automatic no for me. I do like the back and the use of sparkles though.

Christina: 5.700

Design 1.4/3, Fabric 0.6/1, Sparkle 0.6/1, School Spirit 0.8/1, Uniqueness 0.8/1, Overall Appearance 1.5/3

I don’t mind the chest hole as much as the giant white patterned areas on the side. I really like that solid blue used and wish there was just more of it. Maybe this would have worked a bit better for me if only the sleeves had that pattern? Otherwise this is alright but indeed a bit of an overpowering design.

Oregon State: 5.750

View a video of this leotard here.

Illustrated headshot of Elizabeth GrimsleyElizabeth: 7.800

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

I can’t decide if I like this more than the Pride version or less. They both have their positives. I like the matte white here and how it really lets the flower pattern and colored rhinestones shine. The back is still a little disconnected from the rest of the leo for me, but overall it’s nice. Also, the rhinestone beaver on the arm needs to be lower. It looks weird being basically on the shoulder in this application.

Illustrated headshot of Alyssa Van AukerAlyssa: 6.500

Design 2.2/3, Fabric 0.7/1, Sparkle 0.6/1, School Spirit 0.6/1, Uniqueness 0.5/1, Overall Appearance 1.9/3

I might have liked this one more if I saw it before I saw the original pride leo, but knowing that it has the same design with different colors is a turnoff for me. I like the white and orange base, as well as the back, but the multicolor belt is not for me.

Illustrated headshot of Tavia SmithTavia: 4.500

Design 1.0/3, Fabric 0.3/1, Sparkle 0.5/1, School Spirit 0.6/1, Uniqueness 0.9/1, Overall Appearance 1.2/3

I didn’t love the floral the first time, and I feel the same this time around too. It looks sort of like a comforter to me. I don’t know how else to explain it. I do like the unique shape of the back straps with the ombre, and you can never go wrong with a bedazzled belt to keep things flattering. 

Christina: 4.200

Design 1.0/3, Fabric 0.6/1, Sparkle 0.4/1, School Spirit 0.3/1, Uniqueness 0.8/1, Overall Appearance 1.1/3

This is a bit much. I mean, I would have loved this as a 10-year-old gymnast… Now, I am not a fan of that floral design at all. The ombré on the back straps is just so weird—it looks like a mistake. I do appreciate the continuity of the floral pattern between the bodice and the mesh sleeves, but yeah, I’m not a fan of this one.

Arkansas: 5.050

View a video of this leotard here.

Illustrated headshot of Elizabeth GrimsleyElizabeth: 5.700

Design 1.8/3, Fabric 0.4/1, Sparkle 0.6/1, Theme Spirit 0.7/1, Uniqueness 0.7/1, Overall Appearance 1.5/3

Umm…no. Purple and red is not a color combo I enjoy. Plus, I really hate when the solid white and white mesh don’t work well together like on this leo. It just looks bad.Line the mesh and include it over the whole chest or make all the white solid.

Illustrated headshot of Alyssa Van AukerAlyssa: 5.700

Design 1.7/3, Fabric 0.4/1, Sparkle 0.6/1, Theme Spirit 0.7/1, Uniqueness 0.8/1, Overall Appearance 1.5/3

I love the shade of purple used here and the fact that the rhinestones use that blend of purple and red. The biggest turnoff for me is the white body. I agree with Elizabeth where it needed to be all solid or to line the mesh and do all mesh.

Illustrated headshot of Tavia SmithTavia: 4.800

Design 1.3/3, Fabric 0.3/1, Sparkle 0.4/1, Theme Spirit 0.8/1, Uniqueness 0.7/1, Overall Appearance 1.3/3

Lavender cannot and should not be on a red leotard. I see what we were going for, but if we want a theme meet leo, I would rather the team just nix the team colors altogether to go all out on the theme. This is a weird in-between that just doesn’t sit right with me. I do like the back design overall, but the neckline is not really flattering. 

Christina: 4.000

Design 1.3/3, Fabric 0.2/1, Sparkle 0.4/1, Theme Spirit 0.6/1, Uniqueness 0.5/1, Overall Appearance 1.0/3

No to the purple and red. This is a terrible combo. I’m not a fan of the overall design either and don’t like the sharp lines/corset-like bodice. I agree about the solid white vs. white mesh as well, but I’m more focused on this PURPLE that I can’t even care about anything else.

Illinois: 4.575

View a video of this leotard here.

Illustrated headshot of Elizabeth GrimsleyElizabeth: 4.400

Design 1.0/3, Fabric 0.2/1, Sparkle 0.5/1, School Spirit 0.7/1, Uniqueness 0.8/1, Overall Appearance 1.2/3

I don’t really like this at all. The orange on the back is too random, and blue reminds me of blue jeans, and the front stripes are just weird, especially how they go under the floral print like a corset. Really the only thing I like about this is the script Illinois.

Illustrated headshot of Alyssa Van AukerAlyssa: 5.900

Design 1.8/3, Fabric 0.5/1, Sparkle 0.7/1, School Spirit 0.7/1, Uniqueness 0.8/1, Overall Appearance 1.4/3

I think I would really like this if the orange on the front was plain orange like the straps on the back. That would make the back more cohesive with the front and make the orange on the front look like it is supposed to be there.

Illustrated headshot of Tavia SmithTavia: 4.400

Design 1.0/3, Fabric 0.4/1, Sparkle 0.6/1, School Spirit 0.6/1, Uniqueness 0.8/1, Overall Appearance 1.0/3

The back is really the only thing salvaging the leo. I like the keyhole and Illinois in cursive. That’s about it. The front has a bit too much going on. Why did we need orange stripes AND flower overlays? The flowers keep the orange from looking truly orange anyway. 

Christina: 3.600

Design 0.5/3, Fabric 0.3/1, Sparkle 0.4/1, School Spirit 0.6/1, Uniqueness 0.8/1, Overall Appearance 1.0/3

There is a lot going on here. The back is alright, but the front is…something. Orange stripes (not even matching the ones on the back) on top of a blue flowery pattern? And a huge pattern of sparkles on the front on top of it all? Not for me.

Georgia: 4.200

View a video of this leotard here.

Illustrated headshot of Elizabeth GrimsleyElizabeth: 3.700

Design 1.0/3, Fabric 0.5/1, Sparkle 0.5/1, School Spirit 0.5/1, Uniqueness 0.2/1, Overall Appearance 1.0/3

Georgia. Why are you debuting a leo that 1. is similar to a design multiple teams have and that Northern Illinois has had for over six years, and 2. Is the exact same as a pink leo you debuted over four years ago but with red mesh instead of pink? Did the budget really get cut THAT much after the 30th place finish last season?

Illustrated headshot of Alyssa Van AukerAlyssa: 4.000

Design 1.5/3, Fabric 0.3/1, Sparkle 0.7/1, School Spirit 0.4/1, Uniqueness 0.1/1, Overall Appearance 1.0/3

I would expect more from an SEC school. It’s a solid leo if your school has a small leotard budget with only a leotard a year that you want to make sure is not a complete miss, but this is Georgia. 

Illustrated headshot of Tavia SmithTavia: 5.600

Design 1.8/3, Fabric 0.5/1, Sparkle 0.5/1, School Spirit 0.6/1, Uniqueness 0.4/1, Overall Appearance 1.8/3

Another leo that feels overdone. I’ve seen versions of this design from several different schools, dating back several years. I guess I just expect a touch more from an SEC leo budget. Maybe that’s just me. 

Christina: 3.500

Design 1.0/3, Fabric 0.3/1, Sparkle 0.4/1, School Spirit 0.3/1, Uniqueness 0.2/1, Overall Appearance 1.3/3

I can’t believe this is new. This is boring and so 2010.

Bonus! Maryland Five-Team Meet Tank: SCORE

Read more on the background about how this leotard came to be here.

Illustrated headshot of Elizabeth GrimsleyElizabeth: 6.100

Design 1.7/3, Fabric 0.6/1, Sparkle 0.3/1, Theme Spirit 0.8/1, Uniqueness 0.7/1, Overall Appearance 2.0/3

I loved the sentiment behind this leotard, as well as the fact that all five teams wore it. It is a pretty simple design, but that just allows for the rainbow elements to truly shine.

Illustrated headshot of Alyssa Van AukerAlyssa: 5.700

Design 1.5/3, Fabric 0.5/1, Sparkle 0.2/1, Theme Spirit 1.0/1, Uniqueness 0.8/1, Overall Appearance 2.3/3

I love the intention behind this leotard. For making a design that is simple so all the teams can wear it, this design got the point across very well.

Illustrated headshot of Tavia SmithTavia: 5.700

Design 1.5/3, Fabric 0.7/1, Sparkle 0.3/1, Theme Spirit 1.0/1, Uniqueness 0.7/1, Overall Appearance 1.5/3

It’s quite wholesome that all five teams wore the same design to support the cause for diversity and inclusion. It’s a pretty standard tank leo, but I do like the touch of the rainbow prism on the back. 

Christina: 5.900

Design 1.7/3, Fabric 0.7/1, Sparkle 0.1/1, Theme Spirit 1/1, Uniqueness 0.6/1, Overall Appearance 1.8/3

Simple design, but I love the effort put into it and how every team got to wear it. A bit more sparkles would have been lovely, but I suppose the leo budget for this one was limited.

Fan Poll

Congrats to N.C. State for winning the Week 9 fan poll! Vote for your favorite from Week 10 here.

READ THIS NEXT: Leotard Rankings: Week 9


Article by Elizabeth Grimsley, Alyssa Van Auker, Tavia Smith and Christina Marmet

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