This section of our web guide focuses on retailers and information about cheerleading uniforms, equipment, and supplies.
Cheerleading blends elements of dance and acrobatics with shouted slogans and chants to entertain spectators at sporting events and boost the audience's enthusiasm.
Cheerleading has evolved considerably, from simple sideline chants to a dynamic, high-energy sport that requires coordination and highly developed athletic skills. As the sport has changed, so have the uniforms, equipment, and supplies used in cheerleading.
In the beginning, cheerleaders were primarily men dressed in regular clothes, looking much like the fans. As the sport evolved and women joined in, uniforms became more specialized.
In the early 1900s, female cheerleaders wore long skirts and sweaters. While these outfits were practical for the temperatures in outdoor stadiums, they were not designed for complex athletic movements.
The 1950s and 60s introduced shorter skirts, pleated styles, and lighter materials, featuring school colors and logos.
After a period of decline in the 1970s, cheerleading enjoyed a resurgence of popularity in the late 1970s and 1980s. The sport became more competitive and athletic, gaining recognition independent of the teams they were initially meant to support. While cheerleading teams continued to perform in basketball and football stadiums, the sport emerged as an athletic discipline with its own set of skills, rules, and competitions.
Cheerleading uniforms became more athletic, made from stretchy materials like polyester and spandex, allowing for complex athletic movements. Originally introduced in the 1940s, pom-poms became a staple accessory.
Today, cheerleading uniforms are designed for performance and aesthetics. They feature form-fitting tops and skirts or shorts, and materials like Lycra and spandex allow for greater flexibility and durability. Customization has become more elaborate, with intricate designs, team logos, and personalizations like names or numbers. Cheer shoes are lightweight and flexible, allowing for support and traction during stunts.
Cheer teams often wear practice gear, including training shorts, T-shirts, and sports bras, which offer comfort and flexibility during practice sessions. Cheerleaders may also wear warm-up suits to stay warm in outdoor stadiums before performances and during travel.
Cheerleading involves a variety of equipment and supplies in addition to uniforms. As mentioned earlier, the classic pom-poms remain a standard part of cheerleading routines.
Megaphones are sometimes used to amplify cheers and chants in large stadiums and auditoriums.
Safety mats and specialized flooring reduce the likelihood of injuries during jumps, stunts, and tumbling routines.
The cheerleading retail industry caters to the needs of cheer teams and individual cheerleaders. Major players in the sector include Varsity Spirit, Rebel Athletic, and Cheerleading Company, which offer a wide range of products and services. Many retailers also offer custom design services, allowing teams to create unique uniforms that reflect their desired brand.
Online retailers allow teams to access a wider variety of products, compare prices, and place bulk orders. Retailers specializing in cheerleading uniforms, accessories, or supplies are appropriate topics for this category, although any website focusing on cheerleading products could be listed here.
Recommended Resources
Also known as Cheerleading Company Dancewear (CC Dancewear), the retailer specializes in cheerleading equipment and supplies, including uniforms, other apparel, shoes, accessories, cheer poms, megaphones, game day spirit items, and gifts. A printed product catalog is available on request. The company carries classic cheer uniforms, competition uniforms, collegiate looks, men's cheer uniforms, lettering, monograms, and in-stock uniforms. The average uniform manufacturing time is 3-5 weeks.
https://www.cheerleading.com/
Epic Sports Cheer/Dance Gymnastics
The discount online sporting goods store carries cheerleading uniforms and supplies, including youth cheer uniforms, cheer camp clothing, and varsity cheer uniforms, as well as cheer socks, shoes, sneakers, pants, warm-ups, skirts, shirts, shorts, briefs, bras, and bags to tote it in. Coaching equipment, megaphones, poms, and trophies are also available. Its online catalog shows its products, customer testimonials are posted, and its affiliate program is noted.
https://cheer.epicsports.com/
The online retailer offers cheerleading uniforms, cheerleading shoes, cheer bows, bags, warm-ups, and accessories for varsity, junior varsity, and all star cheer teams. Omni Cheer carries its products in stock and can customize them to fit individual teams through customizable options, such as designing custom sublimated uniforms or screen printing cheer cam gear with team names and mascots, tackle twill, or embroidery. Exclusive offers, deals, and size charts and return policies are posted.
https://www.omnicheer.com/
Headquartered in Cynthiana, Indiana, the company has been family-owned and operated since it began in 2011. It offers a complete line of custom cheerleading uniforms, poms, battle flags, and stock merchandise. The company is an affiliate of Pearison, Inc., which has three divisions: Band Shoppe, Superior Cheer, and Superior Team. Its product catalog is available online, and online shopping is enabled. Its manufacturing schedule, sketch requests, office hours, and contacts are featured.
https://www.superiorcheer.com/
The Varsity Spirit Shop has been in business since 1948. It manufactures cheerleading uniforms, cheer camp apparel, performance uniforms, and a full line of accessories. Its online catalog includes new and featured items, beauty items, shoes, apparel, accessories, poms, and sale items. Catalogs for the Varsity Spirit Fashion (VSF), VSF dance, Varsity All Stars, a College Catalog, and others are available online, along with sizing information, shipping policies, and refund policies.
https://shop.varsity.com/
