Cheerleading Outfits

Depending on the size of your squad and the organization it represents (college vs. high school, or middle school vs. an All Star squad) there are a variety of cheerleading outfits that your squad can wear to show off their spirit! Some squads even have different outfits for different uses and sports.

Generally, football tends to be one of the more popular sports for which there are cheerleaders. Consequently, cheerleading outfits for football cheerleaders tend to be more comprehensive and include:

• Shell
• Skirt
• Spankies
• Sweater or turtle neck
• Cheerleading sneakers

Basketball is also a very popular sport for which there are cheerleaders. Generally, you will also find basketball cheerleaders wearing more traditional cheerleading outfits. These generally include:

• Sweater or Shell
• Reversible Skirt
• Spankies
• Cheerleading sneakers

You may find that basketball cheerleaders have different pom pons, wear their hair down more often as a team and/or even have different shoes. This is all to accommodate the fact that basketball is an indoor sport.

Many high schools and universities will split up their squad to cheer at other sports events throughout the year. This may include swim meets, track and field events and softball or baseball games. However, cheerleading outfits can change drastically for these sporting events. In many schools, the cheerleaders don’t actually cheer through the event. Instead, they are there to offer support for the team. Consequently, their cheerleading outfits may include:

• Cheer sneakers
• Team shorts: These most often look most like track shorts, but may have the team logo on it.
• T-shirts: Capped sleeve shirts, ring neck T-shirts or regular shirts with the school logo are all appropriate for other sporting events.

The goal is to give the cheerleaders a uniform look by having matching cheerleading outfits, but to make sure that the cheerleaders are comfortable while at other events. Remember that an event like a swim or track meet can last all day, whereas a football or basketball game only lasts a few hours. Also, some schools have cheerleaders wear different outfits to help keep their regular uniforms clean for competitions and other events.

It is not unusual for squads to have uniforms for practice that are separate from their game uniforms or even other outfits that they may cheer in. There are several advantages to having other outfits that are just for practice:

• It keeps game uniforms clean and lessens wear and tear.
• It's easier to practice stunts and tumbling.
• It's safer while learning new moves.
• They're more comfortable for the girls to wear. Practices in general are more active and longer than actual game time performances. While girls might practice a routine for a few hours, there are breaks at a game during which the cheerleaders are not performing.

Generally, the squad will wear matching T-shirts and biker shorts or track shorts for rehearsals.

You can customize cheerleading shirts and shorts through most major suppliers. However, sometimes squads like to create their own look. The activity can promote team unity and can also be a lot of fun! It’s easier to buy shorts in bulk that have the school logo or initials on them, but you can let your imagination run wild when creating your T-shirts. Here are just a few ideas.

Tie died T-shirts with matching shorts can be a fun way to create a cohesive look for your squad. The best way to pull off this look is to tie dye your T-shirts in one of your school colors and buy shorts in another school color. Once you start tie dying shirts using several different dyes, you lose the cohesive look. (However, some teams have been known to take this approach during Spirit Week or other specialized events.)

Use sponges to cut out the letters of your high school. You can sponge paint the letters onto a white or light colored T-shirt.

A popular option for squad outfits during Homecoming Week for example, is to have the various sports teams put their John Hancock right on your shirt!

Depending on how large your school is and how many sports there are to cheer for, cheer outfits can vary from season to season. It’s important to think about the goals and purposes of the squad when deciding on outfits for the year.

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