Cheerleading is a sport on its own, despite its association with college and university sports festivals. It is considered an indispensable part of school. Cheerleader costumes are a striking and attention-grabbing aspect of this sport. Representing a school, university or team, cheerleaders have their own set of distinct outfits. The mantra of these outfits is being short, sweet, sexy and cute. Girls generally wear skirts and boys wear shorts. Apart from this, the color, design and pattern of the outfit remain uniform; the motive is o denote unity, represent, and cheer a team. Generally, coaching for cheerleading as a sport is done in schools and colleges. These schools lay down certain rules and regulations with respect to cheerleading outfits that they provide the cheerleaders with. These outfits are expected to be clean and neatly pressed, while the team's athletic shoes must also be clean. Cheerleaders are not allowed to wear jewelry. Girls must have short fingernails; only nail paints of either nude or natural shades are allowed. Girls with hair falling till the shoulders, or longer, must pin it up to a high pony, without strands falling on the face. Cheerleading outfits can be of any color. Generally, these outfits match the uniform of the school or the team represented. Sometimes, these outfits are set to candy shades or bright colors, with sequins and trinkets on them. It is very common to see cheerleaders carry pompoms, which are also part of cheerleading uniforms.