Yeah, that's why I don't worry or care what people have to say about me and what I wear (unless I'm in a comp and it's the judges, OR my coach-then I care). Luckily, I skate at a rink that is classed "Recreational" although they are just now becoming competitively-focused. There has never been any skating down this way (unless you count tv). So, it's whatever you want to do. I have seen all sorts of skating attire, from snow suits (yes, the little tykes wear them), shorts, lycra whatever, competition dresses on practice ice, etc. And no one cares!!! I have yet to hear a comment that was cast in a negative way.

I will say, though, when I first stepped onto the ice wearing a skirt, it was shocking and I had to explain (comments ranged from "OMG she has legs" to "who are you dressed up for?"

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

Hannah, trust me, there are very few people who will judge you for wearing a skating skirt, and the only important judgers are the judges! Speaking of which, I have to admit it's true what someone else said, I also tend to skate "prettier" and use better posture and stroking technique when I'm wearing a skirt. It all comes down to you and your skating, and really, nothing else matters.

I havn't skated in a skirt yet but that sums up what I was trying to say about being graceful- something like pretty is as pretty does

Mah mom-ma al-ways to-ld me pretty is as pretty does. . .
(Sorry, having a little Forest Gump moment, LOL!)

I always think more along the lines of Maria in West Side Story....Pretty, I feel pretty, ...... when wearing a dress (esp. for ice dance because I'm supposed to look pretty and graceful).

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

ok, I can see how my comment may have come off sounding rude but its the same situation as a skier completely decked out in brand new gear stepping their way down the mountain, or the swimmer who has the $400 swim trunks on and loses the race to a boy in $10 swim shorts.

The fact is, wearing a dress draws attention to you immediately and people expect to see a certain level of skating.

Its not something thats to do with adults necesarily. I've seen coaches have a laugh when some 10 yr old stepped out on the ice like a little diva in a pink frilly dress and was doing miserable 2 foot spins for her mom. If you wear a dress and skate at a low level people will laugh at you- even if they don't make it obvious.

I had a very hard time wearing tights, leggings and skirts. I don't see me ever making the hurdle into dresses. I understand your concerns I think. =-) Graduating into skating clothes was a process for me. When I was ready and had a supportive but not pushy coach I gave it a try. I actually like wearing tights and leggings now. Still not a big skirt wearer and I wear leggings with a wrap skirt when I do. Start in what makes you feel comfortable and move on from there. Skating should be about you and your enjoyment, wear what makes you feel good. Do make sure nothing is "showing" that you don't want to share with the rink. Skating can put you in some strange situations ... I have seen some things that made me raise an eyebrow or two! Good luck. =-)

Chico

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"I truly believe, when God created skating, he patted himself on the back."

I thought the adult professionals in my area were beyond the petty snarkyness myself, but the detrimental actions of these so called professionals taken against me in my area prove it differently.

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."

Gosh I thought I was the only adult that felt like that or maybe few of us want to admit to it, I love prancing around in a pretty dress, it's one of the many reasons I skate, I hope I never grow out of it.

I must admit though when I first wore one I felt naked!!

I think a point has been missed here . . . .

Anybody who has been around for any length of time (in almost any sport or endevour) has seen the new-bie show up all decked out in the best equipment money can buy expecting to be able to perform like the old pros - THAT'S what people laugh about! It isn't the equipment but the attitude and naivety. We see it every Olympic year - the non-skater who expects to be doing double axels by the end of the first week - and we see it often inbetween.

In my humble opinion, if you have been around for awhile and shown you are serious about your skating, you have earned that dress! You may take some good-natured ribbing from your friends and maybe raise a few teenage eyebrows but who the h@!! cares!

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

I am very overweight, sometimes I wear a skirt though. I made my daughter unitards with skirt sewn into them, and made myself a 1/2 version; just from the waist down with skirt sewn in. I have tried making myself other outfits but end up tossing them out. I think I have to face facts that I don't look good in a dress.

Having said that, I totally agree that wearing pretty things helps you skate prettier. I also feel that it is the one time most ladies get to wear really pretty outfits, an excuse to dress up and it's okay to be graceul.

Go ahead - indulge your inner ice princess!

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Karen

I skate - therefore I am

I'm over weight too, so I know what you mean . I have no desire to wear spandex and spangles, I wouldn't have done at 19 so I'm not going to start at 39! but an elegant black ensemble would do me just fine if I could find the right skirt. I think I may have to get my sewing machine out! Oooh and some magic knickers!!!

you obviously have better lighting at your rink

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Karen

I skate - therefore I am

The essential is that they don't have a hard line at the thigh - that looks most odd under a skating skirt. Oh, and I swear by Sloggi control knickers (black ones) on the top, to preserve my modesty and keep the tights up!

That's certainly true on a public session, but on teaching ice, most people are too busy with their own work to notice what other people are wearing, or even notice them, other than just be aware of where they are on the ice.

I remember a conversation in one competition dressing-room (Dumfries two years ago; I don't think you were there, were you?); I was removing my lenses & make-up and just putting on my normal "don't frighten the horses" make up. Skater A said that she never bothered with make-up, not even for competition. Skater B, on the other hand, said, "Oh, that's the only reason I compete - it gives me an excuse to glam up!" I agree with skater B - although it's not the only reason I compete, of course, and nor was it for her, I don't suppose. But it does help.....

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

And I find it really petty to make such a comment or rather to think this way... especially the last part of the second sentence is simply arrogant and demeaning!!!

I used to skate in jogging bottoms, until I started catching my blade in them on my jumps. Also a friend of mine said it is more comfortable for her to skate in a skirt, and when I tried it I would have to agree; I find it more comfortable.
I am also 24 and I have to admit I felt the same way as you; that if you're wearing a skirt you're expected to be of a certain skating level. However a few falls on my flips as a result of catching my blade and I decided to try it. Now I am used to skating in a skating skirt and tights, so I say give it a try.

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The hardest thing about ice skating is the ice.

You can have all of my skirts and dresses! I have a closet full of them and don't feel "qualified" to wear them yet! Why? Because "people" might think that I think I can skate! It's definitely a confidence problem. The other thing I've been telling myself is that when I lose the 15 lbs that are clinging to me I will start wearing my skirts and dresses. I did wear them for one trip to the Lake Placid summer camp and I felt like a real skater. I really enjoyed it. Don't know if anyone else did, but I had a great time wearing skirts and dresses. BTW the 15 lbs hadn't shown up yet. Anyway, Jerry's makes a great skating skirt. If you want a ballet skirt, go to DiscountDance.com. Good website for all things ballet and dance related.

I've toyed with the idea of skating in a skirt, but I have to admit that to a certain extent I can relate to what beachbabe said...there's nothing worse than a clumsy skater (and, in my case, a clumsy skater who's also a little overweight), poncing round trying to look like a professional.

I've caught my ice dance coach and some others who attend one of the early morning patches laughing at me as it is, and don't want to feel I'm giving them any more ammunition.

I know the right thing to do would be to just say 'what the hey' and wear what I want...maybe when my foot's better and I can get my jumps back I will do just that....

Sxxx

why would they laugh at you sonic????? I know people can be #####y (jealous)but thats not very proffesional of your coach.

Absolutely right! Sonic, I'll start turning up earlier to your patch session and REALLY give them something to laugh about. Your Canasta's far more respectable than mine, and if we're both wearing skirts, they most definitely can't single you out

Seriously though, that's mean-spirited as well as unprofessional. They were in your position once too, and are nowhere near the top of the ladder themselves.

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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

Sonic, that's dreadful At my rink a lot of the adult skaters wear skirts or dresses to skate in, and it isn't an issue. One of the ladies who started in January has just had a skirt made. She's retired and says she doesn't care what people think, she just wants to skate in a skirt and tights. She has had the full support of everyone at the rink, and I can honestly say not a single person has made fun of her that I know of. In fact, most people have taken the name of the dressmaker who made it and are thinking of doing the same.

Honestly, how can people make such a fuss over a skirt Especially if it is worn with leggings or black tights, it doesn't seem so much different to jogging bottoms. In fact, I'm getting sick of my coach to tell me to straighten my legs on swing rolls when they are already straight - he just can't tell because jogging bottoms always go baggy at the knees for me. It seems to me that a skirt and leggings are far more practical.

As for your coach, that is extremely unprofessional of him/her. I pay my coach to tell me what I'm doing wrong and to work with me to improve my skating. I've only been skating for 3 and half months and if he ever laughed at me I think that would be the end of me having him as my coach. However, he is endlessly encouraging, endlessly patient and endlessly supportive. Even when I do something stupid and end up laughing at myself he will say how it is all part of the learning curve and that everyone, including him, has been there and done it.

So Sonic, if you want to wear a skirt, go for it

I agree. I have a lot of respect for my coach, even though she is half my age. I would no longer have her as my coach if she was mean enough to talk behind my back and make fun. It's one thing to laugh at the stupid things I say (I'm laughing too ) though. I do respect and value her input as far as what dress looks better on me as far as competition wear.

I wear what I want when I skate. If someone doesn't like it, tough. They don't pay my ice bill. But, I hope they can keep their snide comments to themselves and act like big children and not jealous little puppies. Word usually floats back to me about words said on the ice-my rink is not that big and everyone knows everyone else.

I have talked to young girls about being mean. That doesn't float at my rink. I know it happens but we have low tolerance for it because of our low attendance. It usually takes a few words to the offending person and the comments stop.

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

Not exactly loyal and you dont have to pay for it, 3 words "dump the coach".

Think about it.

Isn't it all a bit silly?

Some of you think that someone has to be a certain level to skate in a skirt, isn't that your opinion and a reflection of your own ideals?

Some of you think you need a skirt when you skate as it better helps your mind and workflow, there's nothing wrong with that, some of us need a little something but it's not as critical as trying to skate without blades.

Some of you think you look ridiculous in a skirt in a skirt, that's a mind over matter thing and if you want to wear a skirt, and let it bother you, it will.

Some of you skate in whatever you want and don't care, good for you.

You should skate for yourself, if you can't, then maybe you should do something else as you will become what others want you to be and not who you are. Speaking of personal experience however, this is no easy task as sometimes skating for yourself is exactly that.

Some people let what someone wears bother then to the point of ruining their passion, I remember the day I visited a competition and the one girl was miserable because another girl was wearing the same dress she was.

You want to skate and not worry about what to wear? Skate as a guy.

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."

I agree with what everyone else said and believe it is absolutely unacceptable for your coach to make fun of you. It's his job to defend you, if anything! So did you actually hear what was being said? Is there any possibility they could have been laughing at something else? (I just find it so shocking that a coach would do that, so I'm trying to offer up any possible benefit of the doubt!).