How the leotard should be worn for the Best Fit, Wash and Care Instructions
The competition season is here! It’s the day your athlete has been working so hard for!
Competitive leotards are very different from training suits! They are a different cut, style, and fit, and are made from different fabrics and combinations of fabrics (mesh sleeves) compared to the training suits. Think of it as how a skater’s shoe fits completely differently from a high-heel stiletto, they are rarely the same size as they are very different types of shoes. These competitive leotards have an incredible amount of stretch!
Every year there are always some families who receive the leo and think there is no way it will fit their athlete. Please rest assured that we have been doing this for a very long time and have sizing down to a science!
Read below to see how the Pegasus competitive women’s gymnastics leotard should be worn for the best fit. Make sure to follow the wash and care instructions for a long lasting leotard.
If the leo is worn incorrectly it will not fit the athlete properly and poses a risk of damaging the suit. Here is how to position the suit for the proper fit that will help the suit last its full lifetime and have your athlete looking their very best on competition day!
Leotard Placement for Best Fit
Pull the sleeves in towards the armpits. This lowers the potential of the sleeves and mesh ripping by allowing more room at the shoulder’s extension point.
Incorrect Fit
Room in the sleeves in the arm pit
Incorrect Fit
Tight on top of the shoulder and room in the sleeves by the arm pit
Correct Fit
Suit sits right next to skin in the arm pits
Pull the leo up and place it on the hip bone. This adds more flexible length to the torso, relieving the pressure placed on the seam that runs up the side into the armpit, thus reducing the potential of the suit ripping in the armpit.
Incorrect Fit
Pulled down in the front, low across hips
Correct Fit
Leo sitting on the hip bones
Incorrect Fit
Sitting low on the hips, baggy around the bottom
Incorrect Fit
Sitting low on the hips, causing it to pull up
Correct Fit
Leo fitting around the glutes
Mesh Care
The mesh is stunning on the athletes but does require some extra consideration when it comes to wear and care. Parents, if you have longer nails, you need to be extremely careful when helping your athlete put on their leo or handling it in general. When adjusting the leotard, grab the mesh with the finger palms or use knuckles, do not pinch with fingertips or pinch a gem to pull. This will rip the mesh! Be mindful of rings or other jewelry that might hook onto the mesh.
Washing Instructions
These leotards wash and hold very well if washed correctly.
The best way to care for your leo is by hand washing. Wash in lukewarm water with a light/ gentle detergent (wool-lite is great), rise in lukewarm water, and hang to dry will ensure that you get the most life out of it.
Do not use hot water or machine wash! The hot water and extra friction of the washing machine will melt and deteriorate the glue holding on the gems, which will result in them falling off as well as causing additional wear and tear of the leotard and bleeding/dulling of the colours.
Bras and Undergarments
There is a deduction for undergarments that stick out or show through the leotard. A deduction of 0.2 can be taken on each event, this is a major deduction for something that is easy to manage. It is up to the athlete’s discretion on if they choose to wear underwear with their leotard, quite frankly, many choose not to. If they do choose to, it must be a cut that does not stick out of the leotard.
As for bras, each leotard cut is going to offer different options. We always consult judges to ensure that we are dressing the athlete appropriately to avoid this major deduction. For our current competitive leotard, athletes must wear a black bra that does not cross over in the back. It must sit to the side, underneath the sleeves/ shoulders. No nude or clear bra straps for this current leotard.
Incorrect Fit
Sitting low on the shoulders, straps showing
Incorrect Fit
Coloured straps showing
Correct Fit
Black straps and shoulders pulled up correctly
Additional Fit Information
The competitive leotards are a snug fit as it contributes to the safety of the athletes. Loose or baggy attire poses the risk of the leotard catching on the equipment as well as spotting the athlete can be a hazard and poses the risk of the coach getting their hands caught in the clothing. This can result in the coach being unsuccessfully in catching the athlete, stopping their skill resulting in the athlete falling and risking injury of both the athlete and the coach.
We hope this information and explanation helps you and your athlete understand the importance of a properly fitting leotard.