ice skating costumes

Ice skating is as much about the moves, spins, and pirouettes as it is about the costumes. Gorgeous custom made dresses in various styles that are tailored for skaters to provide maximum comfort and define the body shape, add color and sparkle to the sport. Accessories include hair ties and belts in matching colors or contrasting blends to add originality and an elaborate touch. While regular women’s figure skating costumes are much shorter and tighter to allow leeway for jumps, loops, and turns, costumes that are designed for women in ice skating have more layers and ruffles. Men’s costumes are generally formal and most costumes are tuxedos or almost tuxedo-like.

Ice dancers say they have more fun in elaborate, flashy costumes as there is so much more room for style and variety; in most ice dance competitions there are one or more costume changes depending on the tone and norm of the competition. They are often custom-made to fit the individual dancer’s body shape, but there are many options available to choose from for ready-made ice dance costumes.

Custom-made costumes require precise measurements of the dancers’ body, such as torso, sleeve length, biceps, waist, bust, hips, skirt length, etc. These form the first layer of the costume; additional layers can be added if it is an elaborate ensemble.

Among the many types of costumes that have turned heads at the world championships are the elegant and flashy ones that are toned and muted. However, contestants have been known to opt for the bizarre, often choosing themes ranging from superhero costumes to ‘walk in the park’ simplicity. Medieval royalty, circus theme, cartoons, and fictional characters are some of the other popular costume themes that have been used in the past.

Ice skating and figure skating costumes also need a touch of creativity and aesthetic appeal, despite the eccentricity to which most costumes can lean. Former Olympic figure skating medalist Frances Defoe gained a substantial name and reputation after she ended her skating days by dedicating herself to creating figure skating costumes. Her creations ranged from outrageous outfits in flame colors to soft, feminine chiffons in pink and gray. Despite being a traditionalist at heart, she chose to follow her dreams and aspirations by becoming a figure skater and then indulging her creative passions.

Sadly, Defoe recently passed away in Toronto. Also Jef Billings, another renowned long-term figure skating costume designer whose reputation and greatness are evident by the multiple Emmy Awards he won. The curtains have been drawn on two of skating’s most talented and famous costume designers.