Gymnastics fans love leotards, it’s just a fact. We love seeing new designs, creating our own, and especially judging them. That’s why we’re back for another season of leotard rankings!
Each week we’re analyzing new designs to find our weekly faves. Leos can earn up to three points for design; up to two points for construction, which includes fabric, fit, and sparkle; up to one point each for school/theme spirit and creativity; and up to three points for overall appearance. This week Aaron, Allison, and Annie are joining editor-in-chief Elizabeth for judging.
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 by voicing your thoughts on social media!
Wilberforce: 8.300
View a video of this leotard here.
Elizabeth: 8.200
Design 2.6/3, Construction 1.6/2, School/Theme Spirit 0.7/1, Creativity 0.7/1, Overall Appearance 2.6/3
Wilberforce knocked it out of the park with its first leo. I am obsessed with the color combination, the use of black and white, and the geometric-esque design. A++ from me.
Aaron: 8.200
Design 2.7 /3, Construction 1.5/2, School/Theme Spirit 0.8/1, Creativity 0.2/1, Overall Appearance 3/3
I’m a huge fan of this leotard. The black bottom blends well with the vibrant top, and the colors blend well with its ombre design. I do wish it had a bit more sparkles, but what a leotard debut from Wilberforce.
Allison: 8.000
Design 2.5/3, Construction 1.6/2, School/Theme Spirit 0.6/1, Creativity 0.7/1, Overall Appearance 2.6/3
Echoing Elizabeth again, Wilberforce is already making a fantastic splash in the leo game right out of the gate. The strappy design is done so perfectly on the front, and it’s where a lot of designs have struggled. Sparkly, neon, and memorable in all the right ways.
Annie: 8.800
Design 2.5/3, Construction 1.7/2, School/Theme Spirit .9/1, Creativity .9/1, Overall Appearance 2.8/3
OBSESSED. I love when schools that don’t have your typical “pretty” leo colors lean in and make them the focal point rather than hiding the colors behind a black leo. I love the way the colors blend together and pop against the white, and the simple back is all it needs. I can’t wait to see what else Wilberforce has this year!
Oregon State: 7.925
View a video of this leotard here.
Elizabeth: 7.600
Design 2.3/3, Construction 1.7/2, School/Theme Spirit 0.6/1, Creativity 0.7/1, Overall Appearance 2.3/3
I’m a fan of how Oregon State’s been using more gray lately. It really goes well with the orange. This design specifically reminds me a little of feathers, which I like. It’s simple yet effective.
Aaron: 7.600
Design 3/3, Construction 1/2, School/Theme Spirit 0.6/1, Creativity 0.6/1, Overall Appearance 2.4/3
I love the color variation on this leotard, and it blends well with the perfect amount of black mesh. The neckline also rides up the neck the perfect amount and doesn’t look like it is going to choke anyone who wears it, but also isn’t loose and floppy.
Allison: 8.000
Design 2.6/3, Construction 1.6/2, School/Theme Spirit 0.9/1, Creativity 0.6/1, Overall Appearance 2.3/3
I’m a sucker for a sweetheart neckline, I can’t help myself. Like Elizabeth said, I love the use of gray, I think it adds a ton more depth and intrigue to the design of this leo. It could easily have been too over the top but it has the right amount of flash.
Annie: 8.500
Design 2.8/3, Construction 1.5/2, School/Theme Spirit .8/1, Creativity .7/1, Overall Appearance 2.7/3
Love. LOVE. The gray and white throughout make the orange really pop, and I actually like how simple the high neck is. Usually, I’m not a fan of sweetheart necklines on leos, but I barely even noticed it due to the gorgeous colors and design. Once again, LOVE.
SEMO: 6.850
View pictures of this leotard here, and a video here.
Elizabeth: 7.600
Design 2.2/3, Construction 1.6/2, School/Theme Spirit 0.8/1, Creativity 0.6/1, Overall Appearance 2.4/3
I love this leo from SEMO! The white is such a classic look and really makes the rhinestone logo on the front, as well as the red cuffs, pop. The bow-esque back strap isn’t my favorite, but I don’t dislike it either.
Aaron: 4.700
Design 1.5/3, Construction 0.5/2, School/Theme Spirit 0.8/1, Creativity 0.2/1, Overall Appearance 1.7/3
I’m usually never a fan of all white leotards, and I unfortunately would put this into that category. The strap on the back looks a bit out of place with the upper back and shoulders exposed, but I do enjoy the bedazzled Redhawks mascot right in the middle of the chest.
Allison: 7.800
Design 2.3/3, Construction 1.5/2, School/Theme Spirit 0.8/1, Creativity 0.6/1, Overall Appearance 2.6/3
Normally white leos make me want to run crying, but I’d hang this on my gallery wall. I love the open back with the simple straps, and the white background makes the red pop all the more. It’s simple but elegant.
Annie: 7.300
Design 2.5/3, Construction 1/2, School/Theme Spirit .8/1, Creativity .5/1, Overall Appearance 2.5/3
White leos are growing on me. I LOVE the way they look on the floor, and they make every design really pop. So clean and elegant! I am always a supporter of open-back leos, and I love how unique the bow design is. Big fan!
Western Michigan: 6.225
View a video of this leotard here.
Elizabeth: 4.000
Design 0.8/3, Construction 1.5/2, School/Theme Spirit 0.5/1, Creativity 0.4/1, Overall Appearance 0.8/3
I’m not normally a fan of anything horizontal in a design, and that remains true here with the horizontal gold elements. I like the choice to use mostly black (or brown? either way…) and white with gold accents, but the design itself isn’t my thing.
Aaron: 6.700
Design 2/3, Construction 1.5/2, School/Theme Spirit 0.2/1, Creativity 0.7/1, Overall Appearance 2.3/3
This is a solid leotard but without the big W on the right hip, I would have had no idea which school this is coming from. I like the horizontal design and the straps on the back, but it doesn’t really scream Western Michigan.
Allison: 8.400
Design 2.6/3, Construction 1.8/2, School/Theme Spirit 0.5/1, Creativity 0.8/1, Overall Appearance 2.7/3
Black (or what comes off as black) leo? Swoon. Straps? Yes, please. Sparkles? Be still my heart. As someone with a closet full of black t-shirts, it’s safe to say I’m obsessed. The only thing I’d change is the way the straps seem to overshoot the edges in the back.
Annie: 5.800
Design 1.5/3, Construction 1.3/2, School/Theme Spirit .8/1, Creativity .7/1, Overall Appearance 1.5/3
I have mixed feelings. I love the back, as once again, I always support an open-back leo. I wish the lines on the front blended a little bit more rather than the white stopping so abruptly. It’s one of the leos that the more I look at it, the less I like it, so I’ll just leave it at that.
Fan Poll
Vote for your favorite design from this week here.
READ THIS NEXT: Leotard Database
Article by Elizabeth Grimsley, Aaron Doyle, Allison Freeman, and Annie Monks
Hi! i just wanted to point out some inconsistencies in the commentary for one of the styles 🙂 For Western Michigan, the leotard color is brown, not black, since that is their main school color, and the stripe design is vertical, not horizontal. Love reading this every week! thanks!
That Western Michigan leo is black though. No way is that brown.