Guide
All star cheer
uniform rules,
by
Most uniform questions come down to one thing: what is legal for the division you actually compete in. Here is the short answer, and the places the rulebook says nothing at all.
Verified against the USASF Cheer Rules dated 18 May 2026 and current IASF division rules. Governing-body rules change every season — confirm against the current rulebook before you order.
Can your division
wear a
An exposed midriff is allowed in four places, and nowhere else.
| Division | Exposed midriff |
|---|---|
| Senior — Club Elite Tier | Allowed |
| Senior Open — Club Elite Tier | Allowed |
| U18 — International Elite Tier | Allowed |
| International Open — International Elite Tier | Allowed |
| Prep | Not allowed |
| Novice | Not allowed |
| Any International division at The Cheerleading Worlds | Not allowed |
The Worlds line is the one that catches programs out. A Senior team can compete in a crop all season and then arrive at Worlds with a uniform it cannot wear. If there is any chance of a Worlds bid, the uniform has to work as a full top from the day it is drawn.
The mesh
A conversion leotard with a mesh midriff, worn under a crop so the same uniform works as a full top. It is a standard construction, widely used across the sport.
For a program whose divisions differ — or whose season might end at Worlds — it means one uniform can serve both, rather than buying twice. Acceptance still rests with the event and its officials, so we design the conversion in from the start rather than adding it once a problem appears.
Skirts, briefs
and
- Briefs must be worn under the skirt.
- The skirt must fully cover the hips.
- The skirt must fall at least one inch below the briefs.
- Shorts worn instead of a skirt need a minimum two inch inseam.
All star skirts run roughly 9.25″ to 13.5″, about three to four inches shorter than a school or sideline skirt at the same size. Low rise is consistently one inch shorter than regular rise, and charted lengths exclude the waistband — measure from the waist to the hem you want, then subtract the band.
What the rulebook
This is where most of the argument happens, because there is no rule to point at.
There is no written rule on mesh, sheer fabric, cutouts or lace anywhere in the USASF or IASF rulebooks. All of it sits under one clause prohibiting uniforms that are risqué, sexually provocative or lingerie-looking — so it comes down to interpretation on the day. We design well inside that line rather than testing where it falls.
What is written: rhinestones may not be adhered to the skin or hair, and every piece must be secured to eliminate any possible wardrobe malfunction. That second clause is the reason good design in this sport is subtractive. Bases grip a flyer at the waist, hips and feet, and hands slide the length of the arm in a stunt, so anything that hangs or protrudes is a snag hazard. Removing fabric is safe where adding it is not.
We draw to your
division, not
Tell us the divisions you compete in and whether a Worlds bid is possible, and the rules become a constraint we design inside rather than a problem you find in November.