While custom-made skating outfits can be spendy, you can create a look that complements your music by taking a few unwritten rules into consideration.
The need for originality in skating costumes was never more apparent than during the men’s short program at US Nationals this year.
It was the day of striped pants, dress shirts and suspenders, with nearly half of all the men dressing in similar style. Lucky for them, a fresh presentation is only partially based on appearance.
Costumes are undeniably important to figure skaters. Looking cheesy or home-made will distract from the performance, as will looking too flashy or unappealing. So how do you put together a great outfit on a fixed budget?
First, choose a costume style that reflects the theme and emotion of your music. Theme is usually easy to identify. If your music is Asian, your costume should be too. If your music is the theme song from a war video, perhaps a soldier-type costume would be appropriate. If the music is an instrumental from a famous ballet, classical attire is best.
Music theme is not always so apparent to those who are new to performance sports. Ask yourself what emotion the music is trying to evoke from the audience. What is the message? If it is deep, youthful, yet romantically about unrequited love, you are probably going to portray Romeo and Juliet with flowing, period pieces of attire. Powerful, techno music might require strong, sleek, rockin’ outfits with sharp or geometric décor.
Colors are equally important. Ryan Bradley*, 2007 US Men’s bronze medalist, told the media he went to a designer and asked for the brightest, ugliest, most contrasting colors for his ensemble. His style (you guessed it: slacks, shirt and suspenders) was theme-on, but his colors were delightfully atrocious. Interestingly, he didn’t give a reason as to why he wanted to make such a statement. His incredible free skate did that for him.
Simple, elegant statements often have the most impact. Michelle Kwan and Kimmie Meissner often choose monotone dresses with minimal rhinestones. On that note, there is a cardinal sin often seen at Regionals on first-time competitors. Here is how to avoid committing it: Never (and I mean it in the absolute) attach lines of pre-strung sequins. The epitome of tacky is a shirt with a swirl of sequins glued on from straight off the ream. It screams: “Unprofessional!” and will detract from your presentation.
You can use inexpensive dresses from the pro shop as a base for a very nice costume. The same applies to men’s skate shirts with appropriate slacks. Trim, such as beads and single sequins pieces, can be applied individually in a pattern that reflects the message of the music.
The last, but ever important costuming consideration is your hair. Emily Hughes is a wonderful skater, but her perma-pony tail is reminiscent of Michelle Kwan before her sixteenth and champion year. This doesn’t necessarily mean a bun is compulsory. A French twist or barrette for girls can be very nice. While guys don’t necessarily have the variety of options for their hair as girls do, I do have a complaint about what seems to have become an obligatory long-hair trend for the men of ice dancing. Perhaps the lure of added drama entices extended tresses, but long hair does not always compliment the gentleman or what the team is trying to accomplish.
Figure skating outfits should add the “it” factor, the “je ne sais quoi” to a routine that makes athletes stand out. Inappropriate costumes can reflect a lack of musical understanding or portray, perhaps, an unfounded lack of funds for proper training. You want to give the judges the impression that your opportunities for all aspects of training are world class. A great costume will make the judges want to stand up and join the audience in enthusiastically applauding your complete performance.
