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Every year we take a look at the runway to forecast the current dance costume trends. We've covered the color of the year for 2018, but what about the fabric of the year? This year, we've seen a resurgence of a certain popular 90's trend on the runway, in everyday fashion and in dance and skate costumes! This trending, elegant fabric is...

Floral Mesh Leotard, Mesh Leotard, Tribal Mesh Leotard, and Kiri Leotard. 

It's that time of year - School is back in session, game days are starting to pick up again and all we can think about are this year's upcoming competition costumes! As we head into our busy season (a.k.a. your competition season!), we are overwhelmed with the amazing costume designs and inspiration that our creative customers and designers come up with! It truly is inspiring seeing all these beautiful costumes go out the door and onto the competition floor.

Check out what we've found are the Top 6 Jazz & Contemporary Dance Costume trends for 2018:

Photo via Lifetime, Ladybirds wearing the 202-Mesh Top

The Louisville Ladybirds' Dance Costumes, as Seen on Lifetime's "So Sharp"

Have you been as obsessed with watching Lifetime's "So Sharp" as we have at The Line Up?  It's not every day one of our clients stars in a Lifetime reality show, and the excitement is contagious!  Every week we've been streaming the show in the conference room over lunch to see the stunning routines, the teamwork, the drama, and of course, whatever Coach Todd Sharp will say next! 

Our account manager, Lindsey Stone, has been working with Todd and the Louisville Ladybirds Dance Team for over 5 years now, and we've loved helping outfit the 14 time National Title winners with a variety of pieces - branded apparel for gameday as well as custom costumes for NDA Nationals! 

Here's a peek inside the team's wardrobe and the inspiration behind some of the Louisville Ladybirds' dance costumes below!

The Louisville Ladybirds this past fall on gameday in the 202-7 Mesh Sublimated Top.

Louisville Ladybird Dance Team- National Champs! 

It's hard to deny the Louisville Ladybird Dance Team's presence.  The team has won 9 out of the last 10 national titles at the NDA Collegiate Cheer & Dance Championship, and has 14 national titles overall.   Walking into competition, their reputation precedes them! 

Their team dynamic is unique because they have quite a large team, are co-ed, and have a very strong work ethic. "They don't stop until they have mastered their choreography and skills. They don't settle or rest for good enough, they are always pushing to be better," said TRIBE 99.  So it's no surprise this hard work pays off at competition.   

Led by Cheryl Knight and Todd Sharp, the team performs at football games in addition to competing in the Dance Team Performance and Hip Hop 1A division this past spring at NDA.   You can also catch Todd Sharp and the team on their new show "So Sharp," premiering July 26 on Lifetime! Here's a peek at the team's performance and dance costumes this past season! 

Team: Totino Grace E'gals
Director/Head Coach: Kristen Gagnon
Location: Totino Grace Highschool, Fridley, MN 
Style: Jazz & High Kick High School Dance Teams

Team: Farragut

Coach: Adonia Adams

Location: Knoxville, TN

Dance Style: High School Dance Team- Small Varsity Jazz 

Team: Roseville High School Varsity Dance Team
Coach: Brittany Rehling
Location: Roseville, Minnesota
Dance Style: High School Dance Team - Varsity Jazz

Team: Benilde-St. Margaret's High School
Director/Head Coach: Samantha Cameranesi
Location: St. Louis Park, MN
Dance Style: High School Danceline - Jazz

Team: Cherry Creek High School Poms
Coach: Megan Bruhn
Location: Englewood, CO
Dance Style: High School Dance Team - Varsity Jazz

Team: Ohio State University Dance Team
Coach: Melissa McGhee
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Choreographer: Ricky Ruiz
Consultant: TRIBE 99
Style: Collegiate Dance Team