Where have all the velour leotards gone?

Like most avid followers of gymnastics, I spend a fair amount of time being blinded the iridescence that are gymnastics leotards. I've already written a couple of times about the trashy-tastic fashions that dominate the sport. But as I was studying this year's offerings at the 2011 World Championships in Tokyo I was struck by what I didn't see -- velour and crushed velvet leotards.

Shannon Miller in velvet at the 1996 National Championships

When I first started doing gymnastics, my mother took me to a dances store and bought one of those short sleeve black ballet leotards which I wore over my leggings. I didn't know much about fashion back in those days. 

Anyway, after I started going to more practices and reading gymnastics magazines, I came to covet the crushed velvet and velour leotards and was so proud when my mom finally purchased a purple tank version for me to wear to gymnastics classes. 

Thereafter I purchased several leotards made of that fabric and loved them all even if they weren't exactly breathable. But at some point over the last 6 or 7 years, gymnasts stopped wearing them. I can't point to the exact time this style fell out favor but I've been racking my brain, and it's been awhile since I've seen one in elite competition.

Jordyn Wieber wearing the latest, non-velvet fashion

Where have all the crushed velvet leotards gone?

Asking that question put me in mind of this song. Just replace "cowboys" with "crushed velvet."