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!
With so many new leotards debuting this weekend, we decided to split this week’s rankings into three parts: NCGA nationals designs (you’re in the right place!), white (or mostly white) conference championship designs (find the rankings here – coming Wednesday!), and multi-colored conference championship designs (see our thoughts here – coming Thursday!).
Each week, we analyze new designs to find our favorites. 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, Allison, and Savanna 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 sharing your thoughts on social media!
Brockport: 8.100
View a video of this leotard here.
Elizabeth: 8.300
Design 2.4/3, Construction 1.6/2, School/Theme Spirit 0.9/1, Creativity 0.9/1, Overall Appearance 2.6/3
I shouldn’t like this, but I really do. Brockport went for it with the mostly yellow leotard and somehow pulled it off. I love the ombre, the yellow paired with white, and the green rhinestone accents. I even like the funky collar. The only thing I would improve is where the solid body fabric transitions to the mesh sleeves; it goes too far into capped-sleeve territory right now.
Allison: 8.200
Design 2.3/3, Construction 1.7/2, School/Theme Spirit 0.9/1, Creativity 0.8/1, Overall Appearance 2.5/3
The COLLAR, the NECKLINE. I am obsessed. I love when leos stand out with pops of creativity like this. It could easily have gone far too over the top, but the white-to-yellow ombre works so perfectly. I think my only change would be the B on the back, and honestly, I’d only be adding more rhinestones to it—so maybe that change shouldn’t be made or this leo would be five pounds of gems.
Savanna: 7.800
Design 2.2/3, Construction 1.5/2, School/Theme Spirit 0.8/1, Creativity 1.0/1, Overall Appearance 2.3/3
OK, Brockport is coming in strong with the yellow! I love the white-to-yellow ombre, and the addition of the green rhinestones throughout really makes the design pop! I’m not the biggest fan of the collar, but I can deal with it because it’s not totally distracting from the rest of the design.
Utica: 7.600
Elizabeth: 6.600
Design 1.8/3, Construction 1.6/2, School/Theme Spirit 0.8/1, Creativity 0.6/1, Overall Appearance 1.8/3
Utica has so many leotards! I don’t know how it does it. This is an orange version of the blue and white leo it debuted earlier this season. I think I prefer the one with white, but this is still nice. I like the back especially.
Allison: 8.300
Design 2.7/3, Construction 1.7/2, School/Theme Spirit 0.9/1, Creativity 0.6/1, Overall Appearance 2.4/3
Utica has been KILLING the leotard game this season, and this was no exception for me. I love when teams push the envelope with color, and I’m so happy that Utica doesn’t shy away from the orange. The mesh, the ombre, the strappy back—it’s such a hit for me, and I love that Utica has two versions of this one.
Savanna: 7.900
Design 2.4/3, Construction 1.7/2, School/Theme Spirit 0.7/1, Creativity 0.5/1, Overall Appearance 2.6/3
This is probably my favorite leo from NCGAs! Yes, I know it’s another version of a different leotard it has, but I personally like this one better. The navy makes the orange pop, and I appreciate the open strappy back design. I do wish the ombre on the sleeves had a little more light blue in it, but that’s my only fault with this leotard.
Rhode Island College: 7.433
Elizabeth: 7.700
Design 2.2/3, Construction 1.8/2, School/Theme Spirit 0.7/1, Creativity 0.8/1, Overall Appearance 2.2/3
I thought this was Oshkosh for a full rotation before I realized it was RIC with a new leo. It’s very unlike what the Anchorwomen normally wear, but I love it. RIC deserves a *fancy* leo for a change. The subtle ombre here is great, as well as the amount of sparkles. I also love the back. I just wish there was some red somewhere to tie it all together.
Allison: 8.000
Design 2.5/3, Construction 1.7/2, School/Theme Spirit 0.6/1, Creativity 0.8/1, Overall Appearance 2.4/3
The picture doesn’t capture the absolute magnificence that is this leotard when it’s in motion. It’s a sparkling masterpiece with shades of burgundy and gold on a sleek black leo. The strappy back and the continuation of the rhinestones? This leo might be one of the top five reasons I already can’t wait for the next season to start because I just cannot wait to see it again.
Savanna: 6.600
Design 1.9/3, Construction 1.4/2, School/Theme Spirit 0.5/1, Creativity 0.6/1, Overall Appearance 2.2/3
Qualifying to their first NCGAs since 1998 means the Anchorwomen deserved a special new leo to commemorate the occasion. I love the ombre on the sleeves—it’s not harsh and flows very well. I like how the back is a continuation of the sparkles on the front, but I don’t know if I would’ve gone with the criss-cross design. Overall, it’s a very special leotard that will always be a part of RIC history.
Cortland: 5.866
View a video of this leotard here.
Elizabeth: 6.000
Design 1.6/3, Construction 1.4/2, School/Theme Spirit 0.7/1, Creativity 0.6/1, Overall Appearance 1.7/3
This is solid, but some of the details just don’t gel with me, like how the front V stops so abruptly, and the random mesh V near the neckline. I like the back, though, but wish it was open under the “Red Dragons” band.
Allison: 6.000
Design 1.5/3, Construction 1.4/2, School/Theme Spirit 0.8/1, Creativity 0.6/1, Overall Appearance 1.7/3
I’d love this leo a bit more if the white V extended around the sides. I’m a big, big fan of the strappy back. I love the Cortland C and the Red Dragons spelled out in rhinestones, too, but I think I’d flip-flop their location. It’s a simple yet timeless leo that I think will look good for seasons to come.
Savanna: 5.600
Design 1.3/3, Construction 1.1/2, School/Theme Spirit 0.6/1, Creativity 0.6/1, Overall Appearance 2.0/3
So much to unpack here. I’m not a fan of the front. The v-neck would’ve been better if it extended just a little bit more. The white “belt” in the middle is weird because I feel like it should’ve extended further across the front of the leotard. The strappy back is fine, but that’s about the only element I’m OK with.
Fan Poll
Congrats to Missouri for winning last week’s fan poll! Vote for your favorite design from all of this week’s designs here.
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Article by Elizabeth Grimsley, Allison Freeman, and Savanna Wellman
