NCAA 2026 NCAA Leotards

[RedBirdie]

That Iowa monstrosity needs to be burned.

 

[hmmmm]

Why cant the coaches apply their routine composition strategy to the leotards.

 

[Kara]

Temple and Towson bringing us some more early candidates for worst leo of the year:

 

[RedBirdie]

Towson's is a reference to the Maryland flag. Not saying I love it, but there's at least some thought behind it.

Temple's would be lovely if not for the back. They're the Owls, hence the feathers.

 

[rlayt]

Crime scene tape on the back of that leo is apropos.

 

[wishfulgoddess]

Temple's isn't terrible up close when you can see the details, but farther away it looks like blood splatters.

 

[Kara]

The biggest crime of Towson's leo is that that first picture is cropped to where the legs were cut. I am so glad back in the dark ages when I competed leos were granny cut.

 

[Bob]

yeah I straight away thought CSI tape! Awful. The Temple one is lovely at the front awful at the back.

 

[Kara]

Penn State came so close to getting this one right; another pretty front, horrible back.

 

[RedBirdie]

Sadly, far from the worst back we've seen this season.

 

[Kara]

Apparently feathers are in this year; Ball State also had a feather leopard with another awful back.

 

[Ms Motts]

I wish the horrible back trend would just die. Cutouts don't enhance a leotard and do reduce its functionality. And if they want a strappy back, it's possible to design a leotard that has a strappy back but still makes wearing a bra possible.

Temple's is so pretty from the front up close, but now that it has been pointed out, I can imagine it looking quite different from a distance.

 

[Puffin]

I really wish the "boiled ham netting" trend would die as well - the tight criss-crossed straps are not flattering on most

 

[irichluck21]

Apparently feathers are in this year; Ball State also had a feather leopard

Ball State's mascot are the Cardinals which makes sense they use feathers.

 

[RedBirdie]

I really wish the "boiled ham netting" trend would die as well - the tight criss-crossed straps are not flattering on most

I hate those backs, too, but now I will never look at them again without thinking "boiled ham netting"

Reading CGN's leo reviews, it's obvious to me that I'm either completely old and out of touch, or the children are wrong. They love wild strappy backs over there. A FIG-compliant back would probably lose points in their ratings.

 

[RedBirdie]

If not for the back, this would be such a slam dunk retro-ish leo. Although when it comes to NCAA leos, the back isn't awful.

 

[OnlyBeansOnToast]

Sadly, far from the worst back we've seen this season.

What is going on? North America's leotard designers seem to have done all the fronts, gone to the bar to celebrate getting their designs in right on deadline, got absolutely smashed and then suddenly remembered they had to do the backs too.

 

[Kara]

I hate those backs, too, but now I will never look at them again without thinking "boiled ham netting"

Reading CGN's leo reviews, it's obvious to me that I'm either completely old and out of touch, or the children are wrong. They love wild strappy backs over there. A FIG-compliant back would probably lose points in their ratings.

Apparently this is the place to be if you're ancient and uncool, lol. Though, I despised cutouts and mesh when they first appeared back when I was competing in the dark ages. Teenage me would have quit the sport if I had to wear anything i this thread.

 

[RedBirdie]

I remember UCLA rolling up with those crazy open backs around 2000 and going "no, just, no." I don't want to have to duct tape my boobs down because the leotard won't allow me to wear a supportive undergarment to participate in an athletic event. And it's only gotten worse since.

 

[makam]

I remember UCLA rolling up with those crazy open backs around 2000 and going "no, just, no." I don't want to have to duct tape my boobs down because the leotard won't allow me to wear a supportive undergarment to participate in an athletic event. And it's only gotten worse since.

I had mad respect for Kyla Ross wearing her bra (though clear, thin strapped so not the most supportive style), damn the open back. I can see the Maryland gymnast is also wearing hers. Most respect will go to whoever wears a completely supportive bra, not clear, with the shitty back. Or wears a pair of shorts because they don't feel like advertising how good their wax artist is or bringing out the full moon. (I assume it is more than peer pressure that keeps them from doing this but don't know the ncaa uniform policies. But if basketball players can wear anything from leggings to t shirts under their uniforms, i can't see why gymnasts aren't given similar options.) I assume most of them like the "sexy" open back style, but there have to be a few who don't, or don't all the time.