When a cheerleader performs, she wears a uniform to show her team spirit and support the players on the field. Cheerleading uniforms custom can feature the mascots and colors of a team, as well as the cheerleader’s name and number to identify her. They can also be decorated with rhinestones or other embellishments to add sparkle and style to the uniform. The uniform must be comfortable to move in, easy to clean and durable to withstand repeated wearing and washing.
In the early 1900s, many high school cheerleaders wore sweater-type garments with their schools’ emblems sewn to them. These sweaters were typically long and bulky, making them unsuitable for the type of athletic movement required in cheerleading. They were also worn over a collared shirt or turtleneck, and often included a large bow at the back of the neck.
Jean Lee Originals in Goshen, Indiana began marketing cheerleading uniforms to high schools in the 1960s. Her pleated skirt and double-stripe sweater designs remain in use today. Jean’s company became a leader in the industry and helped to popularize cheerleading.
As the sport of cheerleading shifted from an auxiliary activity to an athletic pursuit, changes were made to uniforms’ design and material. In addition, new and more advanced routines were introduced. This created a need for more flexible, functional and breathable fabrics.
As a result, manufacturers started using polyester and elastane in their cheerleading uniforms, which offered greater comfort and stretchability. In addition, they used new printing techniques such as tackle twill and dye sublimation to print team names, numbers and logos onto the fabric. These methods offer a more authentic and bold appearance to the uniform than embroidery.