Why Are Competition Leotards So Sparkly?

"The amount of crystals that we're putting on the leotards has just gone off the charts," says Kelly McKeown, executive vice president of design and corporate relations at GK Elite.

Leotards didn't always look this way. In the 30's and 40's leotards were pretty unflattering. The leg lines were low, boxy and almost completely covered the rear.

At the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, Nadia Comaneci competed in a plain white leotard with side stripes in the colors of the Romanian flag.

In the '70s, '80s, and '90s, most teams wore leotards that bore the colors of their nation's flag. However, in the past decade, many teams have moved away from the patriotic look.

The U.S. women, in particular, have become renowned for wearing jewel-toned leotards in deep pink, red, and purple.

Their custom, form-fitting leotards are adorned with anywhere from 3,500 to 4,000 crystals and valued at well over one thousand dollars each.