Team USA Gymnastics Embraces Extravagance with Olympic Leotards Adorned in 10,000 Crystals

It’s all about the sparkle for Team USA.

When the U.S. gymnastics team takes the spotlight in Paris at the end of July for the 2024 Olympics, they will do so in the most stylish leotards this country has ever witnessed.

Exactly.

The leotards are adorned with an abundance of dazzling Swarovski crystals, with one of them boasting an impressive count of over 10,000. The women’s team (Jade Carey, Sunisa Lee, Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles and Hezly Rivera) has a variety of leotards to choose from for their upcoming competition in Paris. While they all wear the same leotard during the team competition, they have the freedom to select their preferred leotard for the other events.

The Luminous Legacy leotard, in particular, has more than 10,000 crystals, according to The New York Times, on a dark blue and black leotard. “The more crystals, the more impact, and the more the leotards are talked about,” said Jeanne Diaz, the design director of GK Elite, to the outlet.

“They’re really evening-wear looks,” she added of this year’s leotards, which the brand has been working on for the past two years. “We wanted to lean into that hard for Paris, the fashion capital of the world. So we utilized a lot of high fashion elements, looked at a lot of corsetry, at Art Nouveau architecture, at old Hollywood glamour of the 1920s.”

GK Elite also used pearls for the first time on leotards this year, as a nod to Paris and its fashion.

However, no matter how flashy the leotards may be, their functionality is still crucial. “Above all else, it is a garment designed for optimal performance. Our top priority is ensuring their comfort and freedom of movement,” Diaz explained to Vogue. “It seamlessly adapts to the body, allowing individuals to focus on their thoughts rather than their attire.”

The company utilized four-way stretch fabric to guarantee unrestricted movement for the gymnasts, while also ensuring that the leotards remained securely in place during their intense pursuit of gold medals. GK Elite also incorporated a greater use of matte fabrics compared to previous years, reflecting the current trend favoring a more subdued look over the shiny fabrics of the past.

Every leotard is adorned with an impressive number of crystals, a testament to the attention to detail. Even though GK Elite believed they had reached their crystal limit in 2016 and 2020, they continue to push the boundaries. The New York Times reported that the leotards in 2016 were adorned with 5,000 crystals, while in 2020, the number increased to just over 6,000. This year’s collection has thousands more pearls, adding an extra touch of class.

Interestingly, the white Freedom’s Grace leotard boasts nearly 1,000 meticulously hand-placed pearls per leotard.

Indeed, Diaz openly acknowledged to The New York Times that the leotards do have some weight due to the abundance of crystals. However, she emphasized that the gymnasts have a strong affinity for the crystals and will continue to incorporate as many as possible.

She expressed her desire for the athletes to feel confident and proud as they represent Team USA, as she shared with Vogue. “The leotards were designed to capture the triumphant moment when athletes receive an American flag and wrap it around themselves. My intention is for viewers and athletes to experience that powerful emotion.”She expressed her desire for the athletes to feel confident and proud as they represent Team USA, as she shared with Vogue. “The leotards were designed to capture the triumphant moment when athletes receive an American flag and wrap it around themselves. My intention is for viewers and athletes to experience that powerful emotion.”