How women's Olympic leotards have evolved over the last 80 years
When women's gymnastics was first introduced to the Olympics in 1936, leotards were quite different than they are today.
In 1948, Cissie Davies's uniform at the London Games even had a skirt.
They were also much plainer.
Nadia Comaneci wore a humble white leo with thin stripes when she scored her historic perfect 10 on uneven bars in 1976.
Source: New York Times
Many early leotards had small embellishments on the chest, too.
In the early 1980s, the Times reports, leotard manufacturers began using a new material called lycra that made the garments more form-fitting.
Source: New York Times
Mary Lou Retton introduced the world to bold, graphic designs with her stars and stripes leo at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.
Source: New York Times
Martha and Bela Karolyi, who coached Team USA as a duo from 1988 to 1996, are responsible for many developments in leotard fashion. In the 1990s, they put American gymnasts in white leos to show off their six-packs.
Source: New York Times
Crushed velvet — a fleeting 1990s trend — made an appearance on China's leotards at the Sydney games in 2000.
But the new millennium also brought about a more enduring trend in gymnastics leotards: sparkly crystals.
Source: New York Times
Metallic fabrics became more popular, too.
At the Beijing Games, graphic leotards had a brief moment.
But sparkles had already become the prevailing style. Nastia Liukin wore a leotard with 184 crystals when she won the all-around gold medal in 2008.
Source: New York Times
Then, Gabby Douglas wore 1,188 crystals when she won the London all-around title in 2012.
Source: New York Times
And now, Team USA wears leotards studded with 5,000 crystals each. If they were sold in stores, they'd retail for $1,200 each.
Source: New York Times
We may have hit peak crystal," Kelly McKeown, a designer executive for one of Team USA's outfitters, told the Times. "It’s difficult for me to imagine how we could get more crystals on.
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