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Published: Aug 03, 2026
The evolution of cheerleading uniforms changed the sport from modest heavy wool sweaters and knee length pleated skirts into modern high tech athletic gear. The reason for the change was simple. Cheerleaders needed better mobility and safety for complex tumbling and stunting. Old fabrics held them back. New fabrics help them perform to their fullest.
Today's uniforms use breathable flexible materials built for maximum performance.
Here is a timeline of how cheer uniforms transformed over the years.
Cheerleading started as an all male activity. Men wore heavy wool sweaters. When women joined the sport in the 1920s they wore long sleeved tops, heavy pleated skirts, and saddle shoes.
Pioneers like Lawrence Herkimer pushed for change. Skirts shortened to the knee. Heavy wool was replaced with breathable cotton and polyester. Sweaters became sleeveless shell tops. Saddle shoes were swapped for flexible white tennis sneakers.
Professional squads like the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders introduced cropped tops, vests, and hot pants. High school and all star teams followed with shorter flouncier skirts, slouch socks, and bold color blocking.
The two piece uniform became the standard competitive look. A shell vest over a midriff bearing top paired with an A line skirt.
Modern cheerleading is an intense high impact sport. Uniforms are now made from moisture wicking compression fabrics and four way stretch materials. Safety is the main focus. Less loose fabric means less catching during stunts. Many competitive teams now wear crop tops with midriff liners or one piece unitards decorated with rhinestones and other decorative elements.
This guide explains how cheer uniforms changed decade by decade. You will see why we went from warm up sweaters to moisture wicking shells and from long skirts to built in briefs.
Cheerleading began at universities in the United States. Men were the first cheerleaders. Women joined later.
In the early days uniforms were not designed for movement. They were made for school spirit, not athletics.
Cheerleading started as a men's activity. The first cheerleaders were men at universities. They wore collared shirts, dress slacks, and belts. They looked more like students going to class than athletes. Women wore sweaters and long skirts that went down to their calves. The uniforms were wool. Heavy. Hot. No one thought about movement because cheerleading was mostly yelling and clapping.
Not much changed in the 1940s. Women added cardigans. Men kept the same look. The uniforms reflected everyday fashion of the time. Comfort and performance were not a priority.
Uniforms started to look more like a team. School letters appeared on the front of sweaters. Men's pants got one to three vertical stripes down the side. That was a big deal back then. Teams also started marking their captains with slightly different uniforms so everyone knew who was in charge.
Women's skirts were still wool and still below the knee. But they got a little shorter. Not much. Just a few inches. The change was slow.
This is when everything changed. Short skirts became acceptable in society. Cheerleading followed. Skirts rose above the knee for the first time. That was huge.
Pleats were added to skirts so they could move better. Tops switched from heavy sweaters to breathable cotton shirts and crew necks. Cheerleaders could finally jump without dragging ten pounds of wool.
Cheerleading became more athletic. Teams started doing jumps and basic stunts. Heavy wool skirts made that hard.
What changed in the 1960s:
Skirts went from ankle length to above the knee.
Pleated skirts became popular. They allowed more movement.
Sweaters were replaced with lightweight shells or sleeveless tops.
This decade also marked a shift in who cheered. More girls joined. Fewer boys stayed. Cheerleading started becoming known as a girls sport even though men started it.
Saddles went away. Tennis shoes came in. That was a major upgrade for safety and performance.
Skirts got even shorter. Plaid patterns became popular. More pleats. Shell tops and tighter sweaters replaced the baggy looks of the past. Uniforms started to look athletic instead of just decorative.
Then the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders changed everything.
They wore midriff baring tops.
White boots replaced saddle shoes.
Their look was flashy and athletic.
This new style spread across the country. High school and all star teams started copying the look. Cheer uniforms became more about performance and showmanship.
If you look at a uniform from the 1980s it would not look out of place today. The basic shape and fit locked in during this decade.
Puffy sleeves on tops.
Turtlenecks under shells.
Knife pleated skirts.
Grograin ribbon bows in team colors.
High top Reebok cheer shoes.
Striped taping was added to the sides and bottoms of skirts. That gave teams a way to add color and style without changing the whole uniform.
Fabric technology also improved. Spandex became common. Uniforms started to fit tighter. This helped cheerleaders move better.
Not much happened in the 1990s. Uniforms stayed the same as the 1980s. Teams focused more on routines and less on changing their look. It was a pause before the next big shift.
Shorter shells showed more midriff.
Sublimation printing started to appear.
Teams added rhinestones and glitter.
Built in briefs became standard for women.
The 1990s also saw the rise of competitive all star cheerleading. That pushed uniform design even further. Teams wanted unique looks that stood out on the competition floor.
Cheerleading got harder. Routines became more extreme. Stunts got higher. Tumbling got faster. Dance routines got quicker. Old fabrics could not keep up.
Uniforms switched to polyester and spandex. These materials stretch, breathe, and wick sweat. They do not hold you back.
Four way stretch spandex became standard. It moves with your body.
Moisture wicking polyester replaced cotton. It pulls sweat away from your skin.
Sublimation printing allowed full color custom designs. No more peeling logos.
Built in bras and no ride shorts improved comfort and modesty.
Teams also went wild with style. Metallic spandex. Animal prints. Wild color combinations. Anything to stand out on the competition floor. The uniform became part of the performance, not just something you wore.
Lightweight
Breathable
Durable
Easy to wash
Customizable in any color or pattern
Modern cheer shoes also improved. They are lighter and offer better ankle support. That matters for flyers and bases alike.
Today's cheer uniforms are light, stretchy, and built for movement. They have built in briefs, no ride shorts, and moisture wicking fabric. Some have rhinestones. Some have sparkle fabric. Some are fully sublimated with any design you can imagine.
But the goal is still the same as it was in the 1930s. Help the team look like one unit and perform their best.
Cheer uniforms will keep evolving. Here is what experts expect in the coming years.
Trends to watch:
Eco friendly fabrics made from recycled materials.
Smart fabrics that cool you down when hot and warm you up when cold.
More inclusive sizing for all body types.
Gender neutral uniform options for co ed teams.
Built in safety features like impact padding for flyers.
Brands like Nfinity are already working on these innovations.
At Nfinity we follow the evolution of cheer uniforms closely. We use the best modern fabrics to help cheerleaders perform at their peak.
Four way stretch for full mobility
Moisture wicking to keep you dry
Custom sublimation for unique team designs
Durable stitching that lasts season after season
We also offer men's uniforms, youth sizes, and budget friendly custom options.
From wool sweaters to spandex. From below the knee to above. From men leading cheers to women dominating the sport. Cheer uniforms have evolved because the sport evolved.
Understanding this evolution helps you appreciate what goes into a good uniform. And it helps you choose the right gear for your team.
Whether you need competition uniforms, practice wear, or custom designs, Nfinity has you covered.
Looking for more tips? Read our guide on how to build a custom cheer outfit without breaking your budget or check out our youth uniform buying guide for parents.
