NCAA 2026 NCAA Leotards

[MaryClare]

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.

There’s nothing sexualised about an open back leotard. It’s very normal for ballet leotards and has been for decades but imo it doesn’t look good on the majority of adult gymnasts.

 

[rlayt]

Gymnasts tend to have more boobage.

 

[makam]

There’s nothing sexualised about an open back leotard. It’s very normal for ballet leotards and has been for decades but imo it doesn’t look good on the majority of adult gymnasts.

Not really, but compared to what they probably were wearing in competition before college, it is definitely more "forbidden skin." Add in the strappy bandage look that a lot of leos go for... well, i hope the gymnasts are comfortable in it because less is best seems like the trend.

 

[Gymnast09]

Considering how many gymnasts are religious, I’m surprised there aren’t more who opt for shorts/leggings

 

[Bob]

There’s nothing sexualised about an open back leotard. It’s very normal for ballet leotards and has been for decades but imo it doesn’t look good on the majority of adult gymnasts.

This and also gymnasts tend to need more support. I feel the same about the skinny high leg cut and up your arse back cut. Its not sexualised it's just very unflattering and lady I really don't want to see your foof hanging out. And it does not make your gymnastics look better.

 

[JaJa]

There’s nothing sexualised about an open back leotard. It’s very normal for ballet leotards and has been for decades but imo it doesn’t look good on the majority of adult gymnasts.

Just because open back leotards have been normal in ballet leotards does not mean they are not sexualized. Of course they are, at least on some level. An open back design for clothing is generally understood to be provocative on various levels (depending on the fabric, exact design etc). Certainly there is nothing functional about an open back design in gymnastics.

 

[KristyJ]

Just because open back leotards have been normal in ballet leotards does not mean they are not sexualized. Of course they are, at least on some level. An open back design for clothing is generally understood to be provocative on various levels (depending on the fabric, exact design etc). Certainly there is nothing functional about an open back design in gymnastics.

I think something can be revealing without being sexualized, at least in intent. Sure there's always going to be someone who chooses to sexualize any inch of skin (see Victorian ankles...) in how they view others but that doesn't mean that was the intent, just as some people will sexualize anything. I knew someone who tried to sexualize sunglasses but that didn't mean they were inherently sexy.

 

[OnlyBeansOnToast]

I think there's a difference between something being designed to be "sexy" (complete with the inverted commas) and being "sexualised".

 

[JaJa]

I think there's a difference between something being designed to be "sexy" (complete with the inverted commas) and being "sexualised".

Can you expand on this a little?

 

[MaryClare]

Just because open back leotards have been normal in ballet leotards does not mean they are not sexualized. Of course they are, at least on some level. An open back design for clothing is generally understood to be provocative on various levels (depending on the fabric, exact design etc). Certainly there is nothing functional about an open back design in gymnastics.

The open back in ballet is about the line of the dancer. Ideally the line of leotard should be a continuation of the back of the leg. It’s not there to be provocative or deliberately revealing. I don’t know if this is the logic for ncaa teams in the way that a high leg cut is absolutely chosen deliberately in an attempt to give the illusion of a longer leg.