Hi adult skaters,

I'm "unlurking" long enough to ask (beg?) for your help with my graduate school research project.

I am asking female figure skaters in the U.S. (ages 51 and above) to voice their comments about ready-to-wear skating apparel. Sorry men, you'll have to wait until my next research project.

I'm interested in finding out whether you have had (or haven't had) design and fit issues with ready-to-wear skating apparel. No personal identifying information is collected, so feel free to be honest in your responses.

The survey should take no longer than 10-15 minutes of your time, and your responses are very important!!! Please visit http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB229VWUGJHU9 before midnight, November 26, 2009 (Thanksgiving Day).

Many, many thanks in advance from a fellow skater,
Tapping_skater

Hi - unfortunately I'm 41 so can't participate - what's the reason for the age 51 cutoff? Just wondering. Good luck with this!

Hi Stacyf419,

I'm tying it into the aging of the U.S. population as the baby boomer generation ages (the oldest boomers are now around 63 and the youngest boomers are now around 45). I used 51+ for the survey because that is the age break for class IV in USFS adult comps (51-60 is class IV and 61+ is class V). Arbitrary, I know, but I wanted to limit the survey results a bit.

T_S

Aw, I'm almost 48 and too young as well.

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

And although I fit the age demographic, I live in the UK, not the US, so presumably you don't want my participation, either (although I have bought dresses in the US).

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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!

Hi

Sorry, I am too young as well, as only 33 years old.

Also, I live in Singapore, and not the USA, and so in that respect, won't be able to help you either. Sorry!!!!!!

londonicechamp

Mrs. Redboots,

I'd love to have your input, particularly if you can answer the questions based on your experience with the dresses you bought in the US.

T_P

Okay, have done!

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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!

i am also too young for your survey and have made my own dresses anyway. However, I looked at your Qs on the first page. As a former textile science and fashion major, I am interested in the results of your survey. Do you plan to post/share results? Please let us know. Thanks.

Kay

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Visit my figure skating journal
http://www.skatejournal.com/

I also make my own, or re-make ones I find. I have a long torso and have trouble fitting everywhere (especially the arms). I just don't like a lot of the dresses I find-or they fit "funny" pull, bunch etc. I actually prefer separates, cause it's easier to make nature calls! When nerves kick in....you know?

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

I'm not old enough to answer the survey, but looking at the questions, I'm not sure the answers will tell the whole story. I know I don't have any difficulty finding dresses that will fit my bust, my waist, my hips, or my girth- so I'd have to answer all those questions as not having any difficulty. However, it's difficult for me to find a skating dress in general because I have trouble finding dresses that will fit ALL of those at the same time!

(It is difficult to find dresses that have long skirts, and also ones to cover a full bra, but since I only need a bra for "cold coverage" and not support, I can stick a half bra into the front of a dress, so that's not an issue for me. I don't like to skate in sleeves, so I've never looked for those)

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-Jessi
What I need is a montage...
Visit my skating journal or my Youtube videos (updated with 2 new videos Sept 26, 2009)

Skittl1321, good point!!

Ladies, if you're just now taking a peek at this thread (and you meet the demographic criteria), it's not too late to get your comments in before the survey closes. I truly, truly appreciate it.

You know what I'll be doing over Thankgiving weekend - analyzing data!! No Black Friday shopping for me!

T_P