I've got a strange mental block about wearing tights and a skirt (usually I skate in pants), but I have decided it is necessary after taking a bad fall when my blade got caught in the pants I normally skate in. The mental block is strange because I spent 12 years of my life (age 6-18) on a swim team, covered in nothing more than a swimsuit- which covers considerably less than tights and a skirt.

So why do I have this problem? Anyone else feel silly the first time they wore a skirt to skate in or am I worrying too much?

On a related note, anyone know where the website is that sells dance skirts (as in, for ballet)? I looked all over the forums, I KNOW it is there somewhere- the website has a big selection of dance skirts that are really pretty.

Thanks!

Wear leggings or sturrip pants.

Steven

__________________
"A sure sign of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result." - Albert Einstein
"A free society is one where it is safe to be unpopular." - Adlai Stevenson
"Got Edge?" - Steven J. Arness - Coachless, two years and counting.
"He who carves himself to suit others will soon whittle himself away."
"Sometimes you get what you want but loose what you have."

I loathe wearing dresses and do it for competitions and tests only. I have fat legs and have never liked wearing skirts of any kind.

Once I have my dress on for awhile I relax and stop fussing about it. It helps if everyone is in a dress/skirt.

You should see the holes in the legs of my pants. I've got my blade caught in them too many times to count...hehe

The first time I wore a skirt after coming back to skating as an adult I felt totally ridiculous (and of course my coach-at-the-time had to point out how self-conscious I was). But then I really got used to wearing a skirt and I like the feeling of it. And yes, I too have heavy "skater-legs".

Right now I am wearing pants more and more -- got some tighter legged pants with zippers at the bottom so I could put them down over my skates. This summer I am mostly wearing yoga pants -- they are a little flared, but since I am neither jumping nor spinning, and my free leg should never be that high and towards my leg, I don't worry too much about it.

My favorite skirt is a Capezio ballet skirt that I get from www.discountdancedistributors.com or maybe it's www.dancedistributors.com or www.discountdance.com

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Is Portland the only city with it's own ice-dance website? http://www.pdxicedance.net/

I started wearing skating skirts to get used to them for our ice shows....you should have heard the comments and seen the looks I got! You would have thought a comet was headed for the earth!! And I felt naked.

I mix it up every now and again. I wear pants when I "train." But, in lessons (especially closer to competitions), I will wear dresses and skirts to get used to them. I also wear dresses and skirts in ice dance-it helps me feel more graceful and to remember my posture.

I make my own pants and they are made of heavyweight lycra and like leggings. I make them long enough to cover my laces to the ankle. My old pair got ripped from my blade also (stupid backspin).

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Skate@Delaware
Ah, show skating!!! I do it for the glitter!

I usually skate in athletic pants that are for joggers...they taper down and I have never caught a blade in them. They have zippers at the bottom with is also nice to adjust the skate laces after I am warmed up. I use yoga pants too and those work out as well.

Do you have to wear a dress thingy to compete? I do not think I have a body image thing about it but I do not even like the idea of wearing that! I will eventually want to compete but thought I would use music that was not too girlie and get to skate in pants! I do not know if it is a required thing for women to have to wear the skate dress or if it is just the traditional thing. I am a rebel at heart so if it is not required, I will opt out.

Does anyone know?

You could also wear shorts or just a leotard, no restrictions in that.

No, some guy petitioned the USFSA and the ISU two years ago to allow females to compete in pants, as a result, a dress or skirt is not required unless you are a female in synchro (and competing)

Steven

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"A sure sign of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result." - Albert Einstein
"A free society is one where it is safe to be unpopular." - Adlai Stevenson
"Got Edge?" - Steven J. Arness - Coachless, two years and counting.
"He who carves himself to suit others will soon whittle himself away."
"Sometimes you get what you want but loose what you have."

DallasSkater - I will learn to skate if you wear a dress thingy!

Ha Ha

SpaMama

I think for me, the concern was not so much how my body looked in the skirt, but rather, whether I was "worthy" of practicing in a skating dress. I mean, only GOOD figure skaters had the right to practice in skating skirts. Was I being pretentious? Were people going to snicker at me? But frankly, nobody really cares, LOL! Wear what works for you.

I don't wear skating skirts now, but it isn't because I'm self-conscious anymore, it's just because I don't like tights and I sometimes have to go somewhere after skating (without changing) and leggings/stretch pants are much less "weird" than a skating skirt in public. I wear the Seku stretch pants, which do not flare at the bottom. They're a bit expensive, but regular stretch leggings work, too.

totally agreed about the whole wearing it in public thing.

Usually after I skate I have to go someshere afterwards. Sometimes I have to stop by the grocery store or pick up some takeout.

I don't wanna be seen in public with tights, a skating dress, and look like an idiot.


I don't like wearing my dresses untill around competition time because its not comfortable and always hurts more if you fall. Tights are also expensive and have to be replaced after just a few skating sessions.


And you are right about the whole thing with people expecting to see some serious moves when you're in a dress. I always find it really funny when some terrible skater gets on the ice in a skating dress and can't even skate without tripping. Wearing a dress is somewhat of a statement (especially if its a very heavily decorated one) and you'll look extremely stupid if you wear a cute dress and are a terrible skater.

ROTFL!! Wish I could have met you when I visited Grapevine. I was introduced to your lovely daughter by DallasSkater. She has your same sassiness. I like it! It must be the red hair in the fam. he he he.

See, DallasSkater, you have all the love and support as well as sacrifice of friends. Wear the dress! You will get used to it. I find that I have much more mobility and movement when I wear a skirt/dress. You might even try wearing black leggings then a black wrap skirt over the top. I see Ice Dancers here do that all the time for practice.

I started (occasionally) skating in a skirt recently. My worry wasn't my appearance, but that people would think that I was being a bit premature.

Instead though, other skaters seem to have started taking me more seriously, which was a reaction I didn't expect. I suppose it looks like I'm taking myself more seriously as a skater. I received a few comments from my friends, but they were all good-natured.

Like icedancer2, I have a Capezio wrap skirt. The 276 is knee-length, so more for dance I would imagine. The 272 is 3" shorter, and I find that with black tights, it's fine to practise in. When I leave, I just put the tracksuit bottoms over the tights and untie the skirt, and then there's no issues with going anywhere afterwards.

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"Every revolutionary idea seems to evoke three stages of reaction. They may be summed up by the phrases:
(1) It's completely impossible.
(2) It's possible, but it's not worth doing.
(3) I said it was a good idea all along."
- Arthur C Clarke

I am 57, 5' 9", a bit over-weight, and built like the old farm girl that I am. I work in engineering & construction and have been in the trenches and on the tops of towers. When I told my friends and co-workers I was taking up figure skating they all split their sides laughing at the thought of ME in a "tu-tu"! Ok, so I look like a giant grape popcicle in my purple skating dress . . .

You know what? To he!! with them!

The skating dress is a tradition that goes back generations. If you want to wear a dress, wear it! The skating dress is a "uniform" of sorts and if you are investing your time and effort in this sport you shouldn't hesitate to wear the uniform if you want.

I used to practice in pants when I was a teenager until I caught a blade and took a spill that wrecked my knees for over a decade. When I came back to skating this year, I started wearing shorts (and tights) to practice - also acceptable for stopping at the store after practice. When the weather gets cooler in the fall, I will switch to my grape popcicle dress - I'VE EARNED IT!

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Dianne
(A.O.S.S.? Got it BAD! )

I tend to practice in a skirt and tights, and especially if we are going to work on our free dance - if he's going to grab my leg, I'd rather he grabbed tights, which are unlikely to shift, than leggings, which might! Mind you, in the recent very hot weather it was simply too hot, so I skated in my capri pants, but we weren't working on our free dance at that stage. At least, not the lift.

If I want to go somewhere between skating and going home, I just throw a pair of street trousers or a skirt into my bag, and change discreetly at the side of the rink.

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

OMG! this is almost the same quaestion as I wanted to ask! I Haven't been skating that long and would love to wear something more graceful but I'm worried about wether I'm worthy to wear the 'uniform' as it were. I'm not the lightest and have been checking out black tights and possibly a longer length dance type skirt?? I'm not jumping or spinning either. anyone know were I could get something plain and black in the UK?

Just think you should be aware that black tights show up all the lumps and bumps that you might have and that the flesh coloured skating tights are very much more flattering. The reason is that you are skating on ice which is white - black against white is the highest contrast you can have and therefore you see the outline very, very clearly. This is why many dancers and synchro teams practice in black tights or leggings since it allows the coaches to clearly see all the lines and whether legs are straight and toes are pointed etc.

As a newbie I competed in my first competition in a skirt and black tights thinking as you do that black is more flattering. Then I saw the photos - believe me I have never worn black tights again.

A coloured skirt and flesh coloured tights are much more flattering and forgiving of less than perfect lines or body shapes.

Nothing is more fun than still having all your show makeup (very heavy plus glitter) on then having to stop in to the store for milk and eggs....boy, you get the looks then!!! Especially when your daughter is with you in the same makeup!!! That is hilarious!!!

I feel just stepping on the ice "earns" you the right to wear a dress or skirt. We have waited long enough to learn to skate (as adults or late-starters) and have all the bumps and bruises to show as badges.

Even on public ice I will wear a dress. At 44 years old, I don't care what others think about what I'm wearing to skate in. They don't pay my ice bills.

Plus, at my rink, most people don't care what you wear.

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Skate@Delaware
Ah, show skating!!! I do it for the glitter!

Thanks, I'll 'bare' that in mind

Skate@Delaware: I am truly impressed that you make your own! How nice to have that talent.

SDFanatic: Good to know that the rules have changed. Found it interesting that a guy petitioned on what woman could wear. Had not even thought about shorts...that is an idea. Thanks!

SpaMama: Giggle. hmmmm what a tempting offer. The new LTS schedule is out and sign up starts next week. Do you have a favorite popsicle flavor? giggle.

doubletoe: I have no doubt that you are "worthy" of the outfit. However, I agree with your statement..wear what works for you!

beachbabe: I guess you are right that when I see someone take the ice in a practice dress, it draws my attention to them to see how well they skate. I am too old to be body obsessive at this time but had not considered that expectations would be immediately diluted...giggle.

Sk8pdx: LOL. Just need to mention that I saw no glitter, tights, or dress on you for our shared ice! black leggings and a wrap skirt sounds nice.

mintypoppet: Very cool that you are embracing a skater's identity. I am feeling more like a skater each time I go and working on my acceptance.

Rusty Blades: Too funny! Since I may have to consider SpaMama's challenge...do you have any regrets on choosing to be a grape popsicle vs say a black cherry, lemon-lime, or orange. I think grape is my favorite...we could be twins then! giggle. You have such a great attitude about it!

Mrs Redboots: Makes total sense that you would be in dress with the dancing. Great idea to change into something immediately following to do errands.

sk8: I bet you will look adorable.

Batikat: I am soon to be 44. Somewhere in my mid to late 30's I lost my concern for less than perfect body image. I have to say...it is a relief. I go for comfort now. I hope my "winning personality" (giggle) will still draw love, nurturing and attention from others...lol. If I had to rely on my body...well ...I would be rather isolated!

I am an advocate for adult skaters at my rink as I believe improving numbers affords more bargaining power for adult specific ice time, classes, seminars etc. Now that I have the opportunity to get one more adult skater on the ice at my rink (spamama) I will have to consider a little outfit..giggle. If I wear the dress in honor of spamama...I will wear some glitter in honor of sk8pdx! lol (Thinking maybe I could get a matching one with spamama as I am sure she would only skate in a little dress!) Sk8pdx...where does one get appropriate glitter? lol

Ok, Dallasskater I am not saying this to get out of learning to skate but
many of the teens who skate the freestyle sessions wear shorts over tights, and that looks good too. Purple would be good! Get you out of the "head to toe" black you favor!

sk8pdx - Wish I could have met you too! Yea, those red heads can be sassy! She is actually pretty shy and quite, but becomes a different person on the ice! By the way, it is still over 100 here, 105 yesterday I think. I thank the good Lord every day we step foot on the rink that my kids don't play soccer!

SpaMama

I saw a blurb in the latest Skating magazine (Aug/Sep issue) on page 54 (purple box) was asking for Adult Skating Ambassadors. Basically (if I understand this correctly) you are a point-of-contact between adult skaters and the USFSA to report adult numbers, distribute information to adult skaters, promote adult skating, etc.
I was thinking about putting my name in...maybe it would help, maybe not but what they hey? I'm tired of the adult skaters at my rink getting screwed or forgotten...and if I have the USFSA over my shoulder maybe that would count for something!!!!

ps-I sew for myself (thank goodness for home ec!) because I'm tired of all-black outfits AND I have a long torso and long legs...it's the only way to get stuff to fit...

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Skate@Delaware
Ah, show skating!!! I do it for the glitter!

Your local dancewear shop, and ask for a practice-skirt. Unless there's a shop at your rink which might just have skating skirts in your size - worth asking. Or there might be someone at your rink who makes them for everybody - your coach will know.

Incidentally re tights - I know leg-coloured tights are more flattering, but black tights are a lot cheaper - Tesco or Sainsbury's Value 40 denier do very well at this time of year! If you want leg-coloured, John Lewis do very good 40-denier ones which are fine for practice and training, about a fiver, I think.

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Mrs Redboots
~~~~~~~~
I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

Cheers Mrs RB, I never thought of using non-skating tights, and I already have a good stock of those form M&S- my winter essentials, I love them!

I think you might have misunderstood my post a little. I wasn't actually AGREEING with that old assumption I used to have about needing to earn the right to wear a skating dress. I was just afraid *other* people might judge me because I was wearing a skating skirt when I didn't even have all of my single jumps yet. In my experience (now 12 years later), I don't think most people judge anyone negatively for wearing skating skirts, even when they are relative beginners. And that was actually my point, that most people really aren't going to care what you wear while you're practicing and won't judge you for it.

I think the idea of "not being good enough to wear a skirt / dress" hits my concerns on the nose, and explains why I feel covered in a swimsuit. The various comments on this have put things in perspective, though!

Beachbabe's comment "I always find it really funny when some terrible skater gets on the ice in a skating dress and can't even skate without tripping. Wearing a dress is somewhat of a statement (especially if its a very heavily decorated one) and you'll look extremely stupid if you wear a cute dress and are a terrible skater." sort of embodies the sentiment I'm concerned about, and actually the reason I was a little worried about starting skating as an adult in the first place (I'm very happy I found this forum!). As a 24-year old grownup, I should be way beyond the effects of any petty teenage snarkyness, but I find that I'm not.