See How the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Uniform Has Changed from the '60s to Now
See How the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Uniform Has Changed from the '60s to Now
Catherine Kast, Nicole PomaricoTue, June 23, 2026 at 11:30 AM UTC
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Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.Credit: Courtesy of Dallas Cowboys; Wesley Hitt/Getty -
High school students cheered for the Dallas Cowboys in the '60s
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders became an official organization in 1972
Since then, the uniform has evolved quite a bit over the years
As far as NFL cheerleading teams go, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders may be the most iconic.
The organization is the focus of the hit Netflix docuseries, America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, which follows the cheerleaders from their auditions to their performances on the field. The series returned for a third season on June 16.
With an organization that dates back to the 1960s, the athletes have plenty of history, including when it comes to their uniforms. Back in 2016, PEOPLE tapped DCC choreographer Judy Trammell and director Kelli Finglass to share how the iconic look has evolved.
Here's how the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders' uniforms have changed over the years.
01 of 16
1961
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in the 1960sCredit: Courtesy Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
Before the squad became official in 1972, local high school students cheered on the Dallas Cowboys from the sidelines.
02 of 16
1979
Dallas Cowboys CheerleadersCredit: Courtesy Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
"We bought blue and white fabric in bulk in the '70s," Finglass revealed of the original uniforms. "We're still using original bolts of white fabric! The blue we've had to source once since."
03 of 16
1979
Dallas Cowboys CheerleadersCredit: Courtesy Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
The original blue fabric was slightly more shiny than the one used today. "It was tricky to find the right shade of blue that was also absorbent for a dancer and had a nice drape to it," said Finglass. "The current blue is 100 percent poly microfiber and the texture is peach skin faille."
04 of 16
1980
Debbie AycockCredit: Courtesy Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
"Back in the '80s we tried different hairstyles and I think our director liked that," Trammell said of styles like cheerleader Debbie Aycock's Pippi Longstocking-esque braids.
Finglass added, "It was sportier-looking. Now it's about the girls being as glamorous as they can. They all wear their hair down — even in rehearsal."
However, during America's Sweethearts season 3, Faith Ward made headlines when Finglass asked her to wear a ponytail during practice and games.
05 of 16
Early 1980s
Judi TrammellCredit: Courtesy Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
"There were no extensions back then," Trammell said of her all-natural mane.
Though it's gorgeous, this hair wouldn't fly today — literally. "It's more about layers, because the movement of the hair is more important than the length. We call it 'hairography,'" explained Trammell. "Plus, it's too hot, and it's not the style now."
06 of 16
Early 1980s
Kelli FinglassCredit: Courtesy Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
"We had very large pom-poms, which were visually very effective," said Finglass (center). "They were matte blue and white vinyl. And they were huge and they were heavy. At the time, games were about four hours and they would get pretty hot, but they were very effective."
07 of 16
1988
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in 1988
"The '80s was all about big, teased, sprayed hair and blue eyeshadow, red fingernails [and] red lips," said Finglass.
But that wasn't only because those looks were all the rage at the time. "We were yards away from our fans, so it was like any stage: We tried to exaggerate everything. Now, we have a huge, 60-yard high-definition television board in our stadium, and it gets detail like none other."
08 of 16
Advertisement
1992
Dallas Cowboys CheerleadersCredit: Courtesy Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
In the early-'90s, the squad experimented with a V-front high-rise short without a belt. "That was the time when aerobics and unitards were happening, and cuts went higher on the hip bones," said Finglass.
09 of 16
1993
Dallas Cowboys CheerleadersCredit: George Rose/Getty
The '90s also signaled the end of the go-go style boot in favor of a mid-calf Western boot. With that new look came props like cowboy hats, which aren't often incorporated into today's routines.
10 of 16
1993
Dallas Cowboys CheerleadersCredit: Courtesy Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
Crystals were added to the stars on the vests and the shorts starting in the '93–'94 season.
"We went through probably three years of prototypes trying to get crystals around the stars," said Finglass. "Back then, the glues would turn the fabric yellow or the crystals would tarnish the fabric so we wound up being able to engineer a star that was built on a Velcro base and the crystals sat on the Velcro extended part of the base."
11 of 16
1994
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in 1994Credit: George Rose/Getty
Just a year later, in the '94-'95 season, "We decided there weren't enough crystals, so we added them to the fringe line of the vest," said Finglass. Additionally, the two-pronged notch lapel was redesigned to the simpler pointed collar that remains on the uniform today.
12 of 16
2002
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in 2002Credit: Bob Rosato/Sports Illustrated/Getty
The return of the hip-hugger! In 2002, the team went back to the belted short. "There are always the same number of stars on the belts, no matter the size," said Trammel. "And there are always just three stars on each side of the vest."
13 of 16
2006
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in 2006Credit: Drew Hallowell/Getty
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders upgraded the plain buckle in 2006. "We wanted a kind of glamorous Western buckle that included some crystals," said Finglass.
They tapped Texas-based sculptor Brad Oldham, the brother of fashion designer Todd Oldham, for the design. "We've had that design ever since," she said.
14 of 16
2011
Dallas Cowboys CheerleadersCredit: Courtesy Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
Iconic boot brand Lucchese became the official outfitters of the DCC in 2011. "When we first got them, we were trying to figure out the best way to stretch them," said Trammell. "Most of the girls wear mismatched socks under their boots. It's quite the array of color and style and messaging on their socks."
PS: If you've got $995 to spare, you can buy a white Lucchese boot inspired by the ones the cheerleaders wear!
15 of 16
2014
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
"The modern-day pom-pom is metallic," said Finglass. "We actually have a custom-made metallic blue; we Pantone-matched the fabric from our blue blouse. They're smaller and they have a baton handle which allows a dancer more control of the pom while dancing."
The poms aren't going anywhere, said Finglass: "We've tried the cheerleaders dancing without pom-poms, just for different genres of music, and we think that it gets away from what makes us great visually."
16 of 16
2016 to Today
Victoria Kalina in 2022Credit: Wesley Hitt/Getty
"The uniform has always been custom-fitted," said Finglass. "Judy and I both remember our rookie fittings. Now, there's even more attention to detail ... It's very feminine and tailored to the body."
The boot has changed, too. "We expect the kicks to be higher and the dancing to be more joyful because these boots are a lighter weight with a softer sole," said Finglass. "We've removed the steel shank. Now that they're more pliable that should enhance a pointed toe and a higher kick."
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
