I like costumes that are Costumes, especially in dance,
I'm going to make the distinction between Costume and Dress here.
A costume is supposed to be about the performance, supposed to be obvious to the top tier of seats, and should assist in telling the story of the performance.
Costumes also should not impede the performers, and the performers should look great in them.
Sometimes they can be great, but obvious:
Meryl & Charlie's FD outfits this year-it's clear that we are going to be treated to a ballroom dance. And the dress looks great on her.
Tessa's dress for the pink Floyd FD that was used at Canadians and 4CC's-perfect for that music.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f1/Tessa_Virtue_&_Scott_Moir_Lift_2009_4CC.jpg
While the black outfits they used for Worlds were attractive on them, they had nothing to do with the dance they were doing, and seemed to have a response to a Skate Canada dictum that year which requested understated costumes.
Sometimes not so much
Pechalat & Bourzat did a techno-Four Seasons FD in these outfits. They are wackily Perfect for it. In fact, creating costumes for this dance had to be a challenge. She is Summer/Winter, he is Fall/Spring.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9iAOhUHk40
Now the costumes could equally be on someone's Worst List, for being wacky, but they fit this dance!
Sometimes the costumes clue you in right away to the story!
Domnina & Shabalin's Lady & Hooligan 1930's OD-perfect- She is so clearly 1930's, and he is so clearly not the same class as she!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABKTHgMRbko
And Davis & White Samson & Delilah FD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JswrerbWOc&feature=player_detailpage&list=PLCC8816B3D9882783
I feel that the ropes version of Charlie's costume works better for the story, although he looks more dashing in the version at Worlds.
Torvill & Dean Paso Doble OSP, with Jane as the Cape
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imYwy_UOluU
