Figure skating costumes: Behind the glitter and sequins

[Amei]

I'm waiting for one to have the courage to give a deduction.

What counts as a deduction?

I know there used to be a modesty rule back in the late 80's/early 90's - is that still in effect?

 

[heyang]

Men should wear underwear that's the same color as their pants. I've mentioned it before , but Mike Weiss wore a black costume (for his Beethoven routine). During a camel spin, I noticed a spot of white on the seam of his pants, which had apparently split.

Meno and Sands also had an incident where her skate got caught on his pants. He couldn't set her down and they were guesturing to John Nicks frantically.

Josee Chounard has stated that she did felt that she was ready to skate her American IN Paris LP when Tonya had her skate malfunction. While it was startling, she had enough time to gather her composure before skating. Recall that she was not the most consistent skater under pressure, regardless. So, I don't think that she blames her performance on Tonya. Some people are just better at competing than others - i.e Michelle Kwan had already assumed her starting pose when someone ran out onto the ice. After they caught the guy, she calmly started over without incident.

I also thought tights were required. In our corporate dress policy, legs must be covered. For men = pants, no shorts. For ladies = pants/long skirts/hosiery with shorter skirts. We have gotten lax, especially during the summer (i.e. ladies don't where hosiery with shorter skirts). So, it wouldn't surprise me if some 'relaxed' the rule0 in skating a bit, too.

 

[heyang]

What counts as a deduction?

I know there used to be a modesty rule back in the late 80's/early 90's - is that still in effect?

I believe you are referring to the Katerina rule. Her short program outfit in 1988 was cut like a one piece bathing suit. The rule was changed to require covering of hips and posterior. I recall there was much discussion because Debi Thomas wore a unitard and the German Federation countered that it was a revealing.... Based upon the link, it is no longer an official rule in 2006.

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/Story?id=1652801&page=1

The Katerina rule had also resulted in Kristi Y attaching a skirt to her Doop Doop program during a pro-am competition that used ISU rules.

Here's something a bit more recent http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyl...ure-skaters/ZfSFpCEEKGGPrwzAcvnGRN/story.html



http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/Story?id=1652801&page=1

 

[Icey]

What counts as a deduction?

I know there used to be a modesty rule back in the late 80's/early 90's - is that still in effect?

A deduction might be given if a part of skater's costumes falls off to the ice.



According to current ISU regulations, costumes in competition "must be modest, dignified and appropriate for athletic competition – not garish or theatrical in design. Clothing may, however, reflect the character of the music chosen."Although the use of flesh-colored fabric means the costumes are often less revealing than they may appear, there have been repeated attempts to ban clothing that gives the impression of "excessive nudity" or that is otherwise inappropriate for athletic competition.

In my opinion, quite a few of the costumes violate the requirement that they be "appropriate for athletic competition" and modest and dignified.

 

[ordinary person]

"Because a lot of the costumes with colored tights are hideous?? See below:

" http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1...lgayo1_500.jpg "

That's an all one color example, something i find dull.I was talking about different colors like in the wonderful video i showed.

"Colored tights also have the unfortunate effect of breaking up the body into color blocks, making the skater look shorter, wider, and less aesthetic. Unless they go with a catsuit, which not everyone can pull off. "

It makes the skater look shorter, wider and less aesthetic?
In the video Hwi Choi actually looked like her legs were longer hence taller, and i'm not the only one saying this.As for catsuits, for the love of god leave that for a Gala exhibition please, we're not in a circus.:disapp:


"Same amount of skin is still covered up. Yulia is very flexible so it is inevitable that her costume will be moving around while she gets her positions, it may be tight but nothing inappropriate is being exposed, the marks she is given is for hitting those positions and spinning fast, not looking at her frame by frame. Plus I'm not looking at her butt when she skates, I'm looking at the overall presentation and the quality of her skating, if her crotch area is all people can focus on while she's skating then they are missing out."

You should look at the link again because i get the feeling you didn't.

I had to come back to a part of one of your earlier comments.

"Plus black tights add nothing to a purple and orange dress with gold accents, instead it's quite distracting when you have something so black on the bottom half."

On the contrary, it's distracting because it's rare and in a good way unlike Yulia for instance, ewwww
Speaking of which, i happened to read about Hwi Choi's program in another thread called "Lord of Dance", the one from the video i posted.

Now it finally got to me, she skated to a program with Irish dance music so she wanted her costume resemble an Irish dancer.
In a way i have to say she really was a genius looking at the fact Irish dancers originally wear black tights so it makes beyond perfect sense in this case.
If i go back to your comment about the black tights adding nothing to her dress, you know it's not true.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNrjjykKClg

http://www.masslive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2009/04/lord_of_the_dance_is_coming_to.html

 

[karne]

Okay, ordinary person, we get it. You're still bitter and angry that you were no longer good enough to score well at competition and you've happily found something to blame other than yourself. You think it's all the evil skin-coloured tights' fault. Now your reasoning is getting ridiculous.

 

[ordinary person]

Okay, ordinary person, we get it. You're still bitter and angry that you were no longer good enough to score well at competition and you've happily found something to blame other than yourself. You think it's all the evil skin-coloured tights' fault. Now your reasoning is getting ridiculous.

Not at all, i just tried to be more specific about costume portayal.Why would i be bitter and angry when it's really interesting, i didn't think i sounded like thathwell:

 

[Interspectator]

It's too bad polls are no longer available here.
It would be simple to see the number of people who dislike skin-color tights, and people who think skin-color tights are fine.
I'm guessing the majority think there's nothing wrong with them. I also don't mind black tights --if they don't over power the rest of the costume.
For example, if a girl is wearing a light dress, then black tights would pull focus away from her upper body and down to her legs.
Radionova wore black tights for her zombie dance which I thought looked great. I thought her whole costume was brilliant for that. I think it is really up to the skater which they like best and which they think will enhance their 'look'.

 

[MoonlightSkater]

"Colored tights also have the unfortunate effect of breaking up the body into color blocks, making the skater look shorter, wider, and less aesthetic. Unless they go with a catsuit, which not everyone can pull off. "

It makes the skater look shorter, wider and less aesthetic?
In the video Hwi Choi actually looked like her legs were longer hence taller, and i'm not the only one saying this.As for catsuits, for the love of god leave that for a Gala exhibition please, we're not in a circus.:disapp:

That costume breaks her up into two pieces and is not remotely harmonious. The solid black really distracts from the skating. Honestly, she might've looked better in a catsuit. She could at least have used a color for the legs that matched the rest of the costume. As it is it looks like she forgot to take her practice leggings off. However, she's so skinny that she'd have a hard time looking wide no matter what. Other skaters not so much.

As for catsuits, some people just shouldn't wear them. However, take a look at Carolina's costume in the picture on the right here: http://www.carolina-kostner.it/E-PhotosOnIce.htm. That's pretty classy.

Edit to add- if Hwi Choi had used a dark green, like the River Dance cast does in many numbers, the black tights also would've worked better.

 

[lbc2138]

Who was responsible for designing Miki Ando's costumes? That designer needs to be fired. Those were some of the most gaudy and inappropriate skating costumes I've seen on a lady. That Cleopatra costume looked like it was a Mardi Gras leftover.

Not to mention appropriating Egyptian culture.

Actually, that's one of the worst things about figure skating costumes, when people wear costumes that resemble native people or something that isn't of your culture (example, Johnny's Bollywood costume where he takes the sacred bindi and just uses it...)

I mean you can dance to Bollywood music and I'm glad he's not actually wearing something Bollywood-inspired, but the bindi ...

 

[Krunchii]

^I agree with you, I'm not Egyptian or Indian so I can't speak on behalf of them but Miki Ando's costume and Johnny Weir wearing the bindi did have me side eyeing their choices

"Because a lot of the costumes with colored tights are hideous?? See below:

" http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1...lgayo1_500.jpg "

That's an all one color example, something i find dull.I was talking about different colors like in the wonderful video i showed.

"Colored tights also have the unfortunate effect of breaking up the body into color blocks, making the skater look shorter, wider, and less aesthetic. Unless they go with a catsuit, which not everyone can pull off. "

It makes the skater look shorter, wider and less aesthetic?
In the video Hwi Choi actually looked like her legs were longer hence taller, and i'm not the only one saying this.As for catsuits, for the love of god leave that for a Gala exhibition please, we're not in a circus.:disapp:


"Same amount of skin is still covered up. Yulia is very flexible so it is inevitable that her costume will be moving around while she gets her positions, it may be tight but nothing inappropriate is being exposed, the marks she is given is for hitting those positions and spinning fast, not looking at her frame by frame. Plus I'm not looking at her butt when she skates, I'm looking at the overall presentation and the quality of her skating, if her crotch area is all people can focus on while she's skating then they are missing out."

You should look at the link again because i get the feeling you didn't.

I had to come back to a part of one of your earlier comments.

"Plus black tights add nothing to a purple and orange dress with gold accents, instead it's quite distracting when you have something so black on the bottom half."

On the contrary, it's distracting because it's rare and in a good way unlike Yulia for instance, ewwww
Speaking of which, i happened to read about Hwi Choi's program in another thread called "Lord of Dance", the one from the video i posted.

Now it finally got to me, she skated to a program with Irish dance music so she wanted her costume resemble an Irish dancer.
In a way i have to say she really was a genius looking at the fact Irish dancers originally wear black tights so it makes beyond perfect sense in this case.
If i go back to your comment about the black tights adding nothing to her dress, you know it's not true.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNrjjykKClg

http://www.masslive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2009/04/lord_of_the_dance_is_coming_to.html

Wow I didn't know you could read all my thoughts

I'm not going to argue with you anymore, Yulia is wearing proper costumes and she's covered up and that's a fact. I'm not going to spend too long focusing on someone's costumes in a sport where the quality of skating is more important.

 

[Ophelia]

Not to mention appropriating Egyptian culture.

Actually, that's one of the worst things about figure skating costumes, when people wear costumes that resemble native people or something that isn't of your culture (example, Johnny's Bollywood costume where he takes the sacred bindi and just uses it...)

I mean you can dance to Bollywood music and I'm glad he's not actually wearing something Bollywood-inspired, but the bindi ...

Wasn't there a pair at the Vancouver Olympics that dressed up as tribal people?

Edit: Found it: https://www.google.com/search?q=Oks...W7ogTc44CwDA&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAw&biw=1366&bih=605

 

[Meoima]

Wasn't there a pair at the Vancouver Olympics that dressed up as tribal people?
Edit: Found it: https://www.google.com/search?q=Oks...W7ogTc44CwDA&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAw&biw=1366&bih=605

Don't forget One Banana by Yagudin: http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/7e/86/78/7e8678397a5812527aaa0dfb85fdd8bd.jpg

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

I started a thread a while back called "obscure World Championship videos" and Dorris posted a video of a team that did an Aboriginal dance and it was great and very strange. I don't have time to search for it now but I'll try to find it.

 

[ordinary person]

That costume breaks her up into two pieces and is not remotely harmonious. The solid black really distracts from the skating. Honestly, she might've looked better in a catsuit. She could at least have used a color for the legs that matched the rest of the costume. As it is it looks like she forgot to take her practice leggings off. However, she's so skinny that she'd have a hard time looking wide no matter what. Other skaters not so much.

As for catsuits, some people just shouldn't wear them. However, take a look at Carolina's costume in the picture on the right here: http://www.carolina-kostner.it/E-PhotosOnIce.htm. That's pretty classy.

Edit to add- if Hwi Choi had used a dark green, like the River Dance cast does in many numbers, the black tights also would've worked better.

I still don't see how it's not harmonious when the costume's broken up into two pieces whereas off the ice we all wear different color pants, skirts, shirts and such.
Umm...catsuits are butt ugly.On a further note, i'd much rather and only look at a pair of solid black, pink or white tights than a bunch of crotch shots and wedgies creeping up

I almost forgot one last thing, Hwi Choi didn't a wear dark green dress because she was portraying her character from Lord of Dance not River Dance.You can see how much thought she put in her character.

 

[Sandpiper]

Not to mention appropriating Egyptian culture.

Actually, that's one of the worst things about figure skating costumes, when people wear costumes that resemble native people or something that isn't of your culture (example, Johnny's Bollywood costume where he takes the sacred bindi and just uses it...)

I mean you can dance to Bollywood music and I'm glad he's not actually wearing something Bollywood-inspired, but the bindi ...

Could someone explain this "appropriation" business to me--not just in skating but in life? Why it's not okay to wear/skate to something from another culture? I personally don't see anything wrong with it, as long as it's not done in a way that's offensive (*cough*One Banana*cough*). I mean, if an Asian skater skates to Mozart and wears a western-style dress, nobody yells "appropriation!" But if a Caucasian skater skates to Asian folk music and wears patterned silk... suddenly all hell breaks loose.

I mean, I understand that Johnny wearing the bindi might've been an unfortunate choice, but I don't understand why a Bollywood style costume would be offensive. In fact, I think it's good to have something other than monolithic western costumes, to push back against the concept that "western culture is for everyone; eastern culture is exotic/Other."

 

[fleeting]

I started a thread a while back called "obscure World Championship videos" and Dorris posted a video of a team that did an Aboriginal dance and it was great and very strange. I don't have time to search for it now but I'll try to find it.

The other team I can recall having an Aboriginal-inspired program, aside from Domnina/Shabalin, was O'Brien/Merriman of Australia in 2008 for their OD:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgunTnSSRbQ

This might be it?

 

[Interspectator]

Could someone explain this "appropriation" business to me--not just in skating but in life? Why it's not okay to wear/skate to something from another culture? I personally don't see anything wrong with it, as long as it's not done in a way that's offensive (*cough*One Banana*cough*). I mean, if an Asian skater skates to Mozart and wears a western-style dress, nobody yells "appropriation!" But if a Caucasian skater skates to Asian folk music and wears patterned silk... suddenly all hell breaks loose.

I mean, I understand that Johnny wearing the bindi might've been an unfortunate choice, but I don't understand why a Bollywood style costume would be offensive. In fact, I think it's good to have something other than monolithic western costumes, to push back against the concept that "western culture is for everyone; eastern culture is exotic/Other."

I agree with this line of thought.
But some people are easily offended. Or, even more strangely, easily offended on behalf of others.
When one has international roots, the crossover between cultures does not seem strange or bad. But each person processes what they see in a different way depending on their upbringing and personal experiences.
I would like to see even more diversity in style and music all around the world if possible.

However, when 'trying on' another culture's traditional music, it's also important to study up on it so that the intent behind the music can be understood.

 

[makaihime]

Could someone explain this "appropriation" business to me--not just in skating but in life? Why it's not okay to wear/skate to something from another culture? I personally don't see anything wrong with it, as long as it's not done in a way that's offensive (*cough*One Banana*cough*). I mean, if an Asian skater skates to Mozart and wears a western-style dress, nobody yells "appropriation!" But if a Caucasian skater skates to Asian folk music and wears patterned silk... suddenly all hell breaks loose.

I mean, I understand that Johnny wearing the bindi might've been an unfortunate choice, but I don't understand why a Bollywood style costume would be offensive. In fact, I think it's good to have something other than monolithic western costumes, to push back against the concept that "western culture is for everyone; eastern culture is exotic/Other."

Its because a majority of people who are guilty of cultural appropriation are those who take other cultures that are not their own and belittle the values and meaning of its history by making it into a fashion statement or a "cool trend" without understanding or even taking the time out to find out why its sacred and should not be worn or done by just anyone. They take it as their own without permission and act offended when others tell them its inappropriate to wear things like the native american headdress (which has become a fashion trend at festivals like coachella because the "hippie/boho" look is the new "in" thing). For those music festival goer's its just fashion, but for the Native American people, it is honored and a spiritual as well as powerful representation of its culture. Those headdress should only be worn by warriors and those of extremely high status. It represents their people, their tribes, and their beliefs and its beauty comes second to it true significance.

This is also applicable to those who dress up in tradition wear for show performances or as "pretty outfits". You are essentially stealing other people's culture for your own benefits and enjoyment as well as taking away the identity of those groups while making yourself "innovative" and "unique".

 

[Interspectator]

Its because a majority of people who are guilty of cultural appropriation are those who take other cultures that are not their own and belittle the values and meaning of its history by making it into a fashion statement or a "cool trend" without understanding or even taking the time out to find out why its sacred and should not be worn or done by just anyone. They take it as their own without permission and act offended when others tell them its inappropriate to wear things like the native american headdress (which has become a fashion trend at festivals like coachella because the "hippie/boho" look is the new "in" thing). For those music festival goer's its just fashion, but for the Native American people, it is honored and a spiritual as well as powerful representation of its culture. Those headdress should only be worn by warriors and those of extremely high status. It represents their people, their tribes, and their beliefs and its beauty comes second to it true significance.

This is also applicable to those who dress up in tradition wear for show performances or as "pretty outfits". You are essentially stealing other people's culture for your own benefits and enjoyment as well as taking away the identity of those groups while making yourself "innovative" and "unique".

Bollywood, though, is sort of Indian pop music. -It's also fun and great for dancing and I don't see why anyone should object to its use...but I hope they've got a lot of energy 'cause it's quite exhausting.

Sacred objects and music aside, there's a lot of music from many cultures that would be great to introduce to a wider audience. A lot of traditional music is not sacred or spiritual but is in fact about food, farming, love, war and life.
There is also fusion music which takes the sounds of traditional instruments and merges them with modern music.