Look at a photo of a cheer squad from the early 1900s next to one from today and you might not realize you’re looking at the same activity. Cheerleading uniforms have changed enormously over the past century, and those changes mirror how cheerleading itself has evolved: from a few men leading crowd chants into a demanding athletic activity done by millions of people.
Here’s a short history of the cheer uniform, followed by a guide to what each piece of a modern uniform is called and what it’s for.
Where It All Began
Men with megaphones
Organized cheerleading is usually traced to 1898, when University of Minnesota student Johnny Campbell stood in front of the crowd at a football game and led an organized cheer. For the next couple of decades cheer leading was mostly a male activity at colleges.
Those early “yell leaders” dressed much like other students of their era: heavy wool sweaters, often with a large school letter on the front, worn with pants. Megaphones were the main piece of equipment, since there were no sound systems to carry their voices across a stadium.
Women join the squad
Women began joining college squads in the 1920s, and during the Second World War, with many young men away, cheerleading became largely female. Uniforms changed to match: long pleated wool skirts, letter sweaters, ankle socks and saddle shoes became the classic look of the 1940s and 1950s.
Modesty standards of the time kept skirts well below the knee. The fabrics were heavy and warm, which suited fall football games but made movement difficult.
Mid-Century Changes
Camps, poms and a new look
In 1948 Lawrence “Herkie” Herkimer founded the National Cheerleaders Association and began running summer cheer camps. Organized training spread, and companies began making uniforms specifically for cheerleaders rather than adapting everyday clothing. Herkimer also helped popularize pom poms, which became a staple of routines in the decades that followed.
Shorter skirts and lighter fabrics
Through the 1960s and 1970s skirts gradually got shorter and fabrics got lighter. Squads added more jumps, dance and gymnastics to their routines, and uniforms needed to allow a full range of movement. Sweaters gave way to sleeveless vests and shells, and synthetic knits replaced much of the wool.
Cheer Becomes a Sport
The athletic era
From the 1980s onwards, competitive cheerleading took off. School squads began competing, and the all-star movement (club teams that exist purely to compete) grew fast. Stunts, pyramids and tumbling became central, and uniforms became true athletic wear: stretchy, breathable, close-fitting fabrics that don’t snag during stunts or restrict tumbling.
All-star style
All-star teams pushed uniform design further, with bold graphics, cut-outs, metallic fabrics and rhinestones made for competition stages and bright lights. School uniforms generally stay more traditional and cover more, both because of dress codes and because they’re worn at games in front of the whole community.
The Parts of a Modern Cheer Uniform
If you’re new to cheer, the terminology can be confusing. Here’s what each piece is.
The shell
The shell is the top layer of the uniform: a fitted, usually sleeveless top in team colors, often with the school name, letter or logo on the front. Shells come in several cuts, including full-length (to the waist) and cropped styles. Many school squads choose full-length shells or pair cropped ones with a bodyliner to meet dress codes.
The bodyliner
The bodyliner is a fitted, stretchy long-sleeved or sleeveless top worn under the shell. It adds coverage, keeps the look uniform when arms are raised, and adds warmth at outdoor games. It’s normally in a matching or contrasting team color.
The skirt
Cheer skirts are short, fitted and designed for movement. Common styles include:
- Pleated skirts: knife or box pleats that fan out during jumps and turns
- A-line skirts: a flared skirt without pleats, often with a contrasting stripe or panel
- Wrap or panel skirts: layered designs that are popular in all-star uniforms
Briefs
Briefs (sometimes called spankies or bloomers) are worn under the skirt for coverage. They’re usually in a team color.
Shoes, socks and bows
Cheer shoes are lightweight athletic shoes with a flexible sole, designed for jumping and stunting. Many have a grip at the arch so bases can hold a flyer’s foot securely. Bows have become a signature of cheer, especially in all-star, where large bows in team colors are part of the uniform.
Warm-ups
Warm-up jackets and pants are worn over the uniform before performing and between events. They keep muscles warm and protect the uniform.
Accessories with a purpose
Many pieces that look decorative have a practical side. Bows keep hair secured and out of the face during stunts, and safety rules in many leagues ban jewelry, which is part of why squads rely on bows, colors and uniform details for flair instead.
Choosing a Uniform Today
If your squad is ordering new uniforms, think about:
- Rules and dress codes: school rules or your league’s guidelines may set minimum coverage.
- Movement: athletes should be able to jump, stunt and tumble without adjusting their clothes.
- Climate: outdoor fall games and indoor competitions call for different layers.
- Durability and care: uniforms are an investment, so check washing instructions and how well the fabric holds up.
- Fit for growing athletes: for younger squads, styles that allow some growth can stretch the budget.
Final Thoughts
From letter sweaters and megaphones to stretch shells and sparkle, the cheerleading uniform has come a long way. Every change reflects the sport’s growth: today’s cheerleaders are athletes, and their uniforms are built for athletic performance while keeping the team spirit and tradition that started it all.