Do costumes augment or detract?

[Sam-Skwantch]

Mao in light purple makes for an amazing accent on an already good program!

 

[hippomoomin]

I think unless you are naked, everything a skater wears is a kind of costume. There can be lots of variations within tights, t shirts, muscle shirts...

If there is a compulsory skating part where every skater skates the exact same jumps, spins, steps with the same or without music, a would say they would be judged with less bias if everyone wears the same black outfit.

 

[Interspectator]

What would we do with our spare time if we couldn't chat about Mura's shirts? :agree: I will always be for costuming. Bad or good, it makes skating interesting.

 

[Raomina]

For me, it depends on:
1) whether it fits the theme of the program, and
2) whether the skater can pull it off.

Only when those two requirements are met will it augment the skating. :thumbsup:

 

[Tallorder]

For men, aren't "sleeves" a requirement? That "augment" could "detract"

 

[4everchan]

i personally dislike most costumes that have bling feathers ruffles sequins bedazzler's overdose etc... but at the same time... i adore hating those costumes

PS I loved Mura's fringe... i think his costume was perfect for his flamenco... was I the only one in the village appreciating that wonderful costume? people mentioned in the competition thread how ugly it was... and i was... I LOVE IT LOL

 

[Biellmann]

I like colors and bling, it's like magic. Without it would be boring for me :yawn:

 

[Mathman]

Mao in light purple makes for an amazing accent on an already good program!

New rule. Everyone else wears black shirt and black pants. Mao gets to wear this:

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/w3-jack-a-20140207-e1391692186159.jpg

i adore hating those costumes

 

[Amei]

It depends on the costume, for me as long as the costume is not hideous or inappropriate (illusion fabric) it's not going to detract for me. The only costume that really ever forced me to not watch a program was Aliona Savchenko's Pink Panther costume, not only was it hideous but the solid bright pink hurt my eyes to the point I would not watch that routine. Costumes really can enhance a program, the 2 most notably of recent memory for me were Volosozhar/Trankov's Masquerade Waltz and Lipnitskaia's Schindler List costumes.

 

[karne]

I find this thread annoyingly amusing, because one of the things that many people are so quick to kick Max about is that his costumes are "too plain" or "look like practicewear". But yet now we have a thread where people are whining about costumes and saying that people should wear practice gear. :sarcasm:

I like costumes. Picking out the hideous ones and the good ones is half the fun.

 

[Mathman]

... one of the things that many people are so quick to kick Max about is that his costumes are "too plain" or "look like practicewear".

Only the sillies complain. It's part of his charm. :yes:

 

[NanaPat]

...one of the things that many people are so quick to kick Max about is that his costumes are "too plain" or "look like practicewear".

Recently, they've been saying the same thing about Patrick Chan as well.

 

[MalAssada]

Most of the time, I find costumes distracting. Instead of focusing on a performance, my mind goes: "What is the meaning of this costume?" or "Bare back? Was the illusion fabric cheaper?" or "That colour clashes terribly with her skin tone".

Still, I do not mind costumes. I just do not like them too complex or with IMO silly details. I like looking at costumes and thinking, oh, that's why.

 

[BlackPack]

1. Rakhamo and Kokko's La Strada 1994 ... I couldn't believe I was watching a competitive program; I was transfixed into a world of street urchins.

2. Rakhamo and Kokko's 1995 OD Quickstep... They really did come straight out of a 1920s nightclub dancing...

3. Klimova and Ponomarenko's Dracula

4. G&G Moonlight Sonata ... The media made it out to be the precision of the Muscovite school of skating, when it was really just G&G's personal precise and clean style.

5. Kostner Bolero... Classic and elegant black dress personifies her skating

6. Matt Savoie 2007 Windmills of your Mind. I don't usually agree with Sandra Bezic but she is right, "His introspective approach."

7. Philippe Candeloro as D'Artagnan

8. Yagudin's Man in the Iron Mask

 

[Sam L]

Do costumes add or subtract from the effectiveness of a figure skating program?

I though of this watching the Russian test skate videos. Evgenia Medvedeva looked great in her athletic practice leotard. I can't imagine a skating costume costume in which she would look any better.

Many costumes just look silly. Others are like, well, you have to wear something so I wore this. Still others try to look like what Juliet Capulet is imagined to have worn, or Price Igor.

What are some examples of programs where the costume greatly enhances the presentation?

Well my opinion probably isn't going to popular but I hate the modern costumes. I think it's too much. Too much glitter and shiny things. What happened to simple clothes that look nice and doesn't detract from the performance. I think the Russian test skates are great. My personal favourite is Maria Sotskova - just simple black and whites. I love Patrick Chan's Mack the Knife outfit. But his outfits are generally conservative and plain anyway which I like.

I would love to see women wear outfits that look like they're skating outdoors in winter. Julia Lipnitskaia's Schindler's List red dress was great. Sotskova's winter suit was great. It's a winter sport, you're not dancing in your gardens on a midsummer night.

 

[4everchan]

yup... people who complain about the simplicity of Patrick's or Max's costumes should just look at the beauty of those two bodies less is more

Recently, they've been saying the same thing about Patrick Chan as well.

 

[karne]

yup... people who complain about the simplicity of Patrick's or Max's costumes should just look at the beauty of those two bodies less is more

I would protest less about Patrick's costumes if they actually fit him properly. You know, like Max's leggings.

 

[NoStefaniaNo]

I believe costumes almost always detract, at least in singles and pairs. I would much prefer to see skaters in athletic gear similar to what they practice in. It's easier to see the skating without the (usually) overdone costumes. I would make an exception for dance, where costumes enhance and emphasize the spirit of the dance, especially in the Short Dance.

I agree with this and also think it would help people who aren't already fans accept figure skating as a sport and not only an art. The sparkles and such are a distraction from the amazing performances and I wish they would save them for the exhibition.

 

[jenm]

I like costumes

To answer the OP, I think it depends on the costume (concept, design, execution, fit, etc) and how the skaters carry them.
Some enhance the program visually, some just distract.

I like costumes that are elegant, well-made and perfectly fit the program (Yuna Kim's costumes often fall into this category), costumes that portray a character (ex. Yulia's Schindler's List red dress), simple costumes that make you focus on the performance (ex. Ashley's Hip Hip Chin Chin black dress, Michelle's Lyrica Angela dress, Peggy Fleming's iconic chartreuse dress), or costumes that scream Bling! but are still gorgeous and not overdone (ex. Yuzuru Hanyu's Requiem of Heaven and Earth costume, Zijun Li's Clair De Lune costume). There are also costumes that aren't too attractive on its own but when worn, not only becomes more beautiful but gives a certain impression about the program (ex. Mao's Cello Suite program). And fun costumes like Evgenia's sailormoon costume and Anna's 2014 EX.

There are also costumes that distract (me, at least). Among the current ladies, Liza Tuk's seemingly half-naked costume, Yulia's rainbow costume which could've been saved if executed differently, and Carolina's Scheherazade costume that made her look almost nude, etc.

 

[Skater Boy]

I would protest less about Patrick's costumes if they actually fit him properly. You know, like Max's leggings.

I think according to the rules at least it was a deduction - men can't wear tights I thought or leggings - the same lol.