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 Emma, Ian and Tara 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.
Michigan State: 8.750
View a video of this leotard here.
Elizabeth: 9.400
Design 2.8/3, Fabric 1.0/1, Sparkle 0.8/1, School Spirit 1.0/1, Uniqueness 0.9/1, Overall Appearance 2.9/3
This is fantastic. I love the tie-dye effect on the fabric especially, and the design on the front is super flattering and nice. The back is good too. An absolutely superb leo for the Spartans. Maybe my new fave?
Emma: 9.600
Design 2.9/3, Fabric 1/1, Sparkle 0.8/1, School Spirit 1/1, Uniqueness 1/1, Overall Appearance 2.9/3
This is my absolute favorite leotard to come out of the Big Ten championship, and that’s saying a lot because I was also head over heels for Iowa’s. But come on, the tie-dye? The dual chromatic back? The arm cutouts? The not-tacky logo incorporation? THE NECKLINE? Michigan State knocks it out of the park every single time.
Ian: 8.700
Design 2.6/3, Fabric .8/1, Sparkle .8/1, School Spirit .9/1, Uniqueness .9/1, Overall Appearance 2.7/3
I love the sleeves on this so much, the rhinestones over the mesh give it kind of a window pane look that’s really unique. The neckline is really cool and unique here as well, and I think the velvet-esque pattern adds another layer of dimension. The two-toned strap on the back is also a really cool detail that brings in more colors without looking busy,
Tara: 7.300
Design 2.1/3, Fabric 0.6/1, Sparkle 0.7/1, School Spirit 0.9/1, Uniqueness 0.7/1, Overall Appearance 2.3/3
This is growing on me. I don’t love the texture in the fabric, but it’s hardly noticeable on video. The side triangles work in this case, and the open back is nice.
BYU: 8.300
View of video of this leotard here.
Elizabeth: 7.000
Design 1.7/3, Fabric 0.7/1, Sparkle 0.7/1, School Spirit 0.8/1, Uniqueness 0.8/1, Overall Appearance 2.3/3
The front is meh. I don’t not like it, but I don’t love it either. The back, though, is fantastic. I especially love the tiny BYU “Y” on the mountain to mirror the one in real live—so clever!
Emma: 8.700
Design 2.8/3, Fabric 0.6/1, Sparkle 0.7/1, School Spirit 1/1, Uniqueness 0.8/1, Overall Appearance 2.8/3
Absolutely outstanding. It should be a requirement that all Utah schools have a mountain leotard. The back is unique and so classy, and the front centerpiece is so flattering both on and off the screen.
Ian: 8.800
Design 2.7/3, Fabric .8/1, Sparkle .8/1, School Spirit 1.0/1, Uniqueness .8/1, Overall Appearance 2.7/3
This leo is beautiful, and looked better during the meet than in the original video. That being said, the training version of this leo continued the mountain pattern on the front, which I would have loved to see make its way to the final product.
Tara: 8.700
Design 2.7/3, Fabric 0.7/1, Sparkle 0.8/1, School Spirit 1.0/1, Uniqueness 0.8/1, Overall Appearance 2.7/3
Yes, BYU! This is lovely. I love the front in its own right, but incorporating the mountains on the back really does it for me.
Temple: 7.950
View a video of this leotard here.
Elizabeth: 8.200
Design 2.4/3, Fabric 0.8/1, Sparkle 0.9/1, School Spirit 0.9/1, Uniqueness 0.8/1, Overall Appearance 2.4/3
I love this so much! The shade of red and subtle ombre is fantastic, and the amount of sparkles really takes it up a level. I bet it looked SO flashy in person. The back is a little weird, but I don’t not like it. A good one for Temple!
Emma: 8.200
Design 2.5/3, Fabric 0.6/1, Sparkle 0.9/1, School Spirit 0.8/1, Uniqueness 0.7/1, Overall Appearance 2.7/3
I’m head over heels for this leo! It has the perfect amount of sparkle and the Temple logo is incorporated pretty seamlessly into the design. Plus, I am such a sucker for unique backs that don’t look like a nightmare to wear.
Ian: 7.800
Design 2.4/3, Fabric .7/1, Sparkle .8/1, School Spirit .7/1, Uniqueness .7/1, Overall Appearance 2.5/3
This is fairly simple design wise, but it works very well. Temple has a lot of really out there leo choices, so this feels a lot more tame in comparison. The back is nice as well; I enjoy the straps over the mesh.
Tara: 7.600
Design 2.5/3, Fabric 0.6/1, Sparkle 0.7/1, School Spirit 0.7/1, Uniqueness 0.5/1, Overall Appearance 2.6/3
I really like this! It’s not the most unique design overall, but I love the ombre and sparkles. Plus, it’s hard to go wrong with Temple’s colors.
California: 7.850
View a video of this leotard here.
Elizabeth: 6.200
Design 1.6/3, Fabric 0.8/1, Sparkle 0.4/1, School Spirit 0.6/1, Uniqueness 0.8/1, Overall Appearance 2.0/3
The colors used are unique and nice. It’s like muted, dusty Cal, which is a fun change from normal. I don’t like the flower/branch design on the top though, and the fabric under the mesh on top looks a bit too much like a legit bra. I think it’s the way the top part of the sweetheart neckline is sewed.
Emma: 9.000
Design 2.8/3, Fabric 0.9/1, Sparkle 0.8/1, School Spirit 0.7/1, Uniqueness 1/1, Overall Appearance 2.8/3
I can’t decide if this or Michigan State is my favorite out of conference champs. This is BEAUTIFUL, and I’m 90% sure I have the prom dress version of this saved on my Pinterest somewhere. I love the sweetheart neckline paired with the slightly transparent mesh, and the flower design is so elegant and adds to the leo instead of being distracting. The teal is also such a nice complement to the floral design.
Ian: 8.200
Design 2.5/3, Fabric .7/1, Sparkle .7/1, School Spirit .8/1, Uniqueness .9/1, Overall Appearance 2.6/3
Cal went for something different yet still very Cal here, and I am a big fan. This is easily one of the better uses of a floral motif we have seen this season, and the color is really pretty as well. I would’ve loved to see the vines continue onto the back, but at this point I’m just nitpicking.
Tara: 8.000
Design 2.4/3, Fabric 0.7/1, Sparkle 0.7/1, School Spirit 0.7/1, Uniqueness 1.0/1, Overall Appearance 2.5/3
I see you, Cal! It’s absolutely genius to do a leo inspired by Napa Valley, considering the proximity to Cal. The execution is great as well, between the colors and rhinestone patterns.
Western Michigan: 7.750
View images of this leotard here.
Elizabeth: 8.700
Design 2.6/3, Fabric 0.9/1, Sparkle 0.9/1, School Spirit 0.8/1, Uniqueness 0.9/1, Overall Appearance 2.6/3
Maybe it’s because all other Western Michigan leos are stock designs, but I actually really love this. The back is great, the front design is great, the use of sparkles is great, and I like the application of nude mesh here, especially on the sleeves to make it look like they’re shorter and more angularly cut than they actually are.
Emma: 7.000
Design 2.4/3, Fabric 0.6/1, Sparkle 0.5/1, School Spirit 0.8/1, Uniqueness 0.6/1, Overall Appearance 2.1/3
I love this…except for the nude mesh. I think I would really like this one if the mesh was black or white instead. I am a huge fan of the deep V neck though, and it really jazzes up the other elements of this leotard. I do commend WMU for always incorporating school spirit elements into its leotards, especially since its colors aren’t the easiest to work with.
Ian: 8.100
Design 2.6/3, Fabric .7/1, Sparkle .7/1, School Spirit .6/1, Uniqueness .7/1, Overall Appearance 2.8/3
I could go either way with the deep V on this one, I do like it, but I think I may have liked it more if the top was just all white. The back of this is gorgeous, I love the use of gold accents. It’s really hard to go wrong with white, black, and gold.
Tara: 7.200
Design 2.2/3, Fabric 0.6/1, Sparkle 0.7/1, School Spirit 0.7/1, Uniqueness 0.6/1, Overall Appearance 2.4/3
The deep V paired with the inverted V waistline is a nice balance! Overall a good leo from Western Michigan with just the right amount of gold and capped off with a crossy back.
Denver: 7.625
View a video of this leotard here.
Elizabeth: 7.300
Design 2.2/3, Fabric 0.6/1, Sparkle 0.7/1, School Spirit 0.7/1, Uniqueness 0.8/1, Overall Appearance 2.3/3
I like this. Apparently the side sweeping design was popular for conference leos this year. The cut between the red and white fabrics is in a good place too, and while the back is a little weird, I mostly enjoy it.
Emma: 8.200
Design 2.8/3, Fabric 0.8/1, Sparkle 0.8/1, School Spirit 0.5/1, Uniqueness 0.7/1, Overall Appearance 2.6/3
I love asymmetric designs on leotards, especially when they don’t take away from the other elements. The back is so elegant and unique without being completely open, and the sparkles really just make the entire thing come together. LOVE!
Ian: 6.900
Design 2.3/3, Fabric .7/1, Sparkle .8/1, School Spirit .3/1, Uniqueness .5/1, Overall Appearance 2.3/3
By basically every metric, this is a really pretty leo. That being said, I don’t really think this screams Denver. The back is fun but just a bit too chaotic for my liking.
Tara: 8.100
Design 2.5/3, Fabric 0.7/1, Sparkle 0.8/1, School Spirit 0.7/1, Uniqueness 0.7/1, Overall Appearance 2.7/3
I thought this one looked better in motion. The contrast between the top and bottom half of the leo is nice, and the sparkle pattern flows well. I’d like the back better if it was just the thinner straps, but I still like it.
Florida: 7.575
Elizabeth: 8.800
Design 2.7/3, Fabric 0.9/1, Sparkle 0.9/1, School Spirit 0.7/1, Uniqueness 0.9/1, Overall Appearance 2.7/3
When I first saw this in person, I was in awe. Finally a superb Florida leo! I love everything about it, front he shades of blue used to the fun tie-dye pattern to the way the sparkles are placed to follow that pattern. My only small complaints are the places where the seams are on the white mesh and the fact that no orange is incorporated. I feel like a few (more?) orange rhinestones could have been thrown in or some VERY subtle orange added to the tie-dye effect on the body.
Emma: 8.800
Design 2.7/3, Fabric 0.9/1, Sparkle 0/9/1, School Spirit 0.6/1, Uniqueness 0.9/1, Overall Appearance 2.8/3
I really like this Florida leo, and it has been putting out some absolutely stunning ones this season. I love the deeper v-neck that doesn’t look too awkward but isn’t super booby, and the ruched back and watercolor front give this a unique element that looks good both on and off screen.
Ian: 6.200
Design 2.1/3, Fabric .8/1, Sparkle .7/1, School Spirit .7/1, Uniqueness .7/1, Overall Appearance 2.2/3
I love the pattern here, and the back is really pretty, but the front of this looks like a strapless top that is slowly sliding down just a little bit. The sweetheart neck is a good choice for this, but it just starts too low and makes the whole thing look awkward.
Tara: 6.500
Design 2.0/3, Fabric 0.6/1, Sparkle 0.6/1, School Spirit 0.6/1, Uniqueness 0.7/1, Overall Appearance 2.0/3
This may be an unpopular opinion, but I don’t love this. The V cuts awkwardly, and the pattern is a little much. It’s still solid, just not my favorite. Props to Florida for doing something different, though, since so many of its leos look the same!
UCLA: 7.575
View a video of this leotard here.
Elizabeth: 6.300
Design 1.7/3, Fabric 0.8/1, Sparkle 0.6/1, School Spirit 0.7/1, Uniqueness 0.7/1, Overall Appearance 1.8/3
The front is weird because there’s a lot going on, but it’s all sort of one note, so it’s almost a little boring? I love the back, as well as the shares of blue used though. All in all, a little overwhelming for a conference championship leo for UCLA.
Emma: 7.600
Design 2.4/3, Fabric 0.6/1, Sparkle 0.8/1, School Spirit 0.6/1, Uniqueness 0.7/1, Overall Appearance 2.5/3
I wish the blue to white ombre had been incorporated into the bottom half of the leotard, but this is overall a win for me. They really complemented the simpler base design without the sparkles being overbearing, but I still wish that design had continued in some form on the back to make it a little more intricate.
Ian: 8.400
Design 2.5/3, Fabric .7/1, Sparkle .9/1, School Spirit .7/1, Uniqueness .7/1, Overall Appearance 2.8/3
This is one of UCLA’s best leos of late for me, and unsurprisingly it’s also one of its simplest. The super sparkly front with the blue and white ombre sleeves looks amazing in videos.
Tara: 8.000
Design 2.5/3, Fabric 0.6/1, Sparkle 0.7/1, School Spirit 0.8/1, Uniqueness 0.7/1, Overall Appearance 2.7/3
This is very much my style, so it’s no surprise I like it. Between the ombre, strappy back, and geometric front, I love it all.
LIU: 7.500
View a video of this leotard here.
Elizabeth: 8.800
Design 2.8/3, Fabric 0.9/1, Sparkle 0.8/1, School Spirit 0.8/1, Uniqueness 0.7/1, Overall Appearance 2.8/3
LOVE this! Another wrap design from conference weekend, but this WORKS. I love everything about it, from the mixture of blue shades and yellow at the top to the cut of the top to the asymmetrical sparkle belt to the subtle arms. LIU continues to win in the leo department.
Emma: 7.300
Design 2.3/3, Fabric 0.7/1, Sparkle 0.6/1, School Spirit 0.7/1, Uniqueness 0.6/1, Overall Appearance 2.4/3
I am being spoiled with asymmetric designs this week. I am a sucker for teams who incorporate the bolder of their school colors into their designs to make it pop, and LIU does this perfectly while not making it an eyesore.
Ian: 6.500
Design 2.0/3, Fabric .6/1, Sparkle .6/1, School Spirit .7/1, Uniqueness .5/1, Overall Appearance 2.1/3
For what it’s worth, it’s really hard to go wrong with blue and yellow like this. While this isn’t my favorite design by any means, it stands out as a good and different use of common colors.
Tara: 7.400
Design 2.4/3, Fabric 0.7/1, Sparkle 0.6/1, School Spirit 0.5/1, Uniqueness 0.6/1, Overall Appearance 2.6/3
I like this! The yellow gives it a pop of extra color without being overwhelming, and the starburst-esque design is nice.
Arkansas: 7.450
View a video of this leotard here.
Elizabeth: 6.400
Design 1.8/3, Fabric 0.9/1, Sparkle 0.8/1, School Spirit 0.8/1, Uniqueness 0.7/1, Overall Appearance 2.0/3
I don’t know how to explain it, but the red fabric in person gave off such a cool, almost leathery effect. I also like the wrap design and how that theme extends to the back straps too. The only thing I would change is the white belt. I kept thinking it was a belly band like we wore when I was early on in my gymnastics career to remind us to keep our stomachs tight and sucked in when doing skills.
Emma: 8.800
Design 2.7/3, Fabric 0.9/1, Sparkle 0.9/1, School Spirit 0.8/1, Uniqueness 0.7/1, Overall Appearance 2.8/3
I love that they added the stripe on the arms because I think it really makes the high neck design look so much less awkward in motion. The ribbed belt is perfection, and the sparkly collar and back straps really make this for me. Possibly my favorite Arkansas leotard ever, and that’s saying a lot!
Ian: 6.800
Design 2.2/3, Fabric .7/1, Sparkle .7/1, School Spirit .6/1, Uniqueness .6/1, Overall Appearance 2.0/3
A lot of Arkansas leos end up looking rather bland to me, and while this one is certainly different, it doesn’t feel like anything we haven’t seen before. It really reminds me of the one Utah crossed cowl neck leo, which besides being ugly was at least a bit more of an original take on this basic pattern.
Tara: 7.800
Design 2.4/3, Fabric 0.7/1, Sparkle 0.8/1, School Spirit 0.8/1, Uniqueness 0.7/1, Overall Appearance 2.4/3
This is nice! The balance of sparkles on the front combined with the linear design is nice, and the band of red on the arms with “Arkansas” running down is a great touch.
Utah: 7.300
View a video of this leotard here.