A really bad trend

[Roma]

I have noticed a gradual trend toward costume 'semi-nudity', 'appearance of nudity' and I think it's really disturbing. I am talking about things like: extremely low cut-necklines, exposed navels, costumes that are cut so high on the hip that they give a severe wedgie 10 seconds into the program.
In some cases, it's actual cleavage that's showing (not to mention some recent complete 'pop-outs'), and in some it's the illusion of a plunging neckline by using flesh-colored fabric. Not to mention all the sleeveless/backless/strapless or midriff-baring costumes, and the use of flesh-colored boot covers that I guess are supposed to look like a longer leg, but actually just look like a gigantic foot!
I am NOT questioning anyone's morals here--I just don't know why so many women feel the need to show as much flesh as possible---and when it's not actual flesh, to give the illusion of exposed flesh with flesh-colored fabric.
And I honestly don't know how all these women skating with major wedgies aren't embarrassed. I know I would be.
The weird thing is, it's not like the judges are giving higher marks to women with more flesh exposed, so I don't know why so many of the costumes are so tasteless.
:cry:

[RobinA]

I think wedgies are usually result of poor dressmaking and and/or lack of a dress rehearsal in the costume. Plus, remember these girls have a couple pairs of tights on, so a wedgie isn't quite as scary as it looks. That said, I'm sure no skater enjoys having a wedgie and will take steps to avoid it whenever possible. Sometimes wedgies just happen.

As far as nude costumes....I think it's a fad. An ugly, ugly fad. Every now and then it works. It usually doesn't.

[olivia]

There's nothing new or gradual about it. Fake flesh has, for quite some time now, been a standard for figure skating costumes -- especially for the dancers. I just think it looks plain ugly when it's not used conservatively or it doesn't match the skater's skin tone. Sometimes, it can be used with great effect, like on the arms when adorned with rhinestones (or whatever sparkly things they use).

O-

[Roma]

I actually do think it's been gradual. If you look 10 years ago, it was rare to see a spahetti-strap costume, skaters rarely wore boot covers, and ugly wedgies weren't as common. I think there is a change in the design of the bottom of the costumes--they seem to be cut a lot higher than they used to (some are like French cut--they're up to the hip) and this I think is the cause of the wedgies. 1 spin and you're no longer covered.

Also, I have had the misfortune to be close enough to the ice at nationals a few times to know that the tights are often see-through. I got great seats - but saw waaaaaaaaaaaay too much of a few skaters. Fortunately, sometimes the TV cameras miss some things that the folks in the arena see live.

[md2be]

ROMA....
hehehehehe....after COI last year, i thought WOW...they need a waxer on tour! (nope, wont mention names, but some of the older crowd should tell the younger crowd the merits of pro skating hygiene)

[Kabooke]

Originally posted by md2be
ROMA....
hehehehehe....after COI last year, i thought WOW...they need a waxer on tour! (nope, wont mention names, but some of the older crowd should tell the younger crowd the merits of pro skating hygiene)

:lol: :lol: :lol:
I see nothing wrong with the costumes, except for many of them being butt-ugly(i.e. Ice Dancing)!

[manleywoman]

It's not just the women exposing nipples..I've seen Anton's in a few outfits!

And yes, waxing is important!

[VGL]

but isn't this also a reflection of what's happening in regular clothes as well??

[Gaela]

I think some of the costumes are quite stunning, the skaters have beautiful bodies and the costumes really show them off well. That said, I'd said I really wish the women could wear unitards for variety, and to give them more choreographic possibilities. They are encouraged to dress like sex objects, then criticized when they look indecent in the lifts.

I'd like a little more bare flesh in male skaters. Didn't they come down on the guys a few years back for wearing costumes that were too tight around the crotch? I say bring 'em back :D

[kayskate]

I have tapes of skating in the 80s and the costumes are far more conservative. Most of them look like traditional skirted leotards. Anyone can buy a sewing pattern for these styles today and make one for a little girl. They had long straight sleeves and a very full, flared skirt. Sequins were minimal and unimaginatively arranged. IMO, many of the costumes looked homemade and probably were.

Kay

[Norlite]

I really don't mind illusion fabric. it does have to be done with restraint though, and for gosh sakes people, please match skin tones!
A little in appropriate places, like shoulders, backs, can look very elegant. I don't, however, like so much used so the skater begins to look like she borrowed a costume from Cher.

The wedgie thing though, is one of my pet peeves. You would think that a skater that spends a thousand or so on one dress would have a seamstress that could fit a rear properly.

[Ellyn]

Originally posted by Gaela
I think some of the costumes are quite stunning, the skaters have beautiful bodies and the costumes really show them off well. That said, I'd said I really wish the women could wear unitards for variety, and to give them more choreographic possibilities. They are encouraged to dress like sex objects, then criticized when they look indecent in the lifts.

I agree, and why not allow women to wear trousers as well?

But they are allowed to wear unitards as long as there's a skirt attached; of the legal options under the current rules, that's my favorite.

[missmarysgarden]

Gymnastics rules have some specifics for dealing with "over-exposure". We don't deduct for wedgies, but they are usually the result of leotards that are cut too high over the hip, or gymnasts who insist on rolling the leg holes under and pulling them up to make the cut even higher than it is in order to make their legs look longer.

If the point of the hip bone is exposed, the gymnast is warned on the first event (it is taken under the "out of uniform" rule), and is given an opportunity to change, pull her leotard down, do whatever it takes. If no change is made, and the gymnast continues to compete, the Meet Referee notifies the head judges of the remaining events, and the deduction is .1 from the average of each event - a hefty deduction if this happens.

Gymnastic leotards are leaning in the more revealing direction, but so far, the rules are keeping things in bounds. No two piece leotards allowed, no use of flesh colored illusion, no backless leotards, no cut-outs. However, the NCAA did not adopt these rules. So if you want to see how far things can be pushed, go to an NCAA Division I meet! They are allowed to warm up in two piece, but not compete in them; they may warm up in swim suits; and backless, high legs, etc. are allowed - and these tend to be "bigger" girls. We see lots of cutouts, body oil, etc. Seems it brings the fans in....

In the JO program, we are seeing lots of sheer (not flesh colored) fabric used for sleeves, and around the neckline. But not in "strategic" places.

Gymnasts don't wear tights, so many gymnasts use rosin or fabric glue to stick the leg holes of their leotards in place.

So much for gymnastics trivia!

[WeBeEducated]

One of the reasons a skater uses sheer illusion fabric is that it gives a good support if the cut of the dress is a halter neckline or sweetheart neckline or low back. this sheer support allows for movement without the risk of exposure, and allows for creative and delicate bodices and necklines. A skater should have this built in support if the dress is a more skimpy or less traditional design. If the senior ice dancer had
used it for her halter dress it would have prevented the nudity that was displayed during her freedance.
I do think the illusion fabric should be used for low necklines and low backs and halters...so we dont have to have any peekaboo surprises that look like lingerie!(or worse)
I think there should be no costume rules except for no nudity.

[Roma]

Hmm.. I'm not a big fan of costume rules, except that it would get some younger skaters who didn't want to wear something too skimpy off the hook. For example, a teenager who didn't want to be overexposed could blame it on the rules.

Did anyone notice the gorgeous and tasteful cosyume Elena Bereznaya wore during the 4's number in SOI the other night? It was long sleeved, and didn't include an exposed rear, cleavage, back, midriff -- whether real OR illusion!

I find with pairs skaters, the lines of the man and woman look better matched if they both wear long sleeves and the necklines of the costumes are the same, and I thought B and S was a perfect example of this the other night. (Their lines are always perfectly matched anyway, but I think on a lot of pairs who aren't perfectly matched actually make themselves look even less matched when he's got sleeves and regular coverage, and she's got no sleeves and a low neckline.)

BTW, I thought that Todd Eldredge talking while the other 4 skated was really weird, but I guess that's a topic for a different thread...

[Margot]

Originally posted by Kayskate:
_____________________________________________
I have tapes of skating in the 80s and the costumes are far more conservative. Most of
them look like traditional skirted leotards. Anyone can buy a sewing pattern for these
styles today and make one for a little girl. They had long straight sleeves and a very full,
flared skirt. Sequins were minimal and unimaginatively arranged. IMO, many of the
costumes looked homemade and probably were.
_________________________________________________

Peggy Gleming has mentioned numerous times that her costumes were homemade by her mother. Simple and conservative, which was just fine. The skating was most important. Of course, this was pre 1980s, but it's interesting. I believe many of Tonya Harding's costumes were homemade. While Tonya's costumes has been severely critized, I've seen many that were far worse.

My criteria is that the costume adds to the performance, instead of distracting from it.

[calypso56]

OK, I watched a SOI repeat this afternoon. Katarina Witt was one of the women, all of whom where wearing the same red slip dress with no bras. The dress looked good on everyone except Kat. She is just too amply endowed to go without a bra. The camera managed to avoid focusing on her bosom in most cases, but there were the odd occasions where she swung by and boy, did she swing! I cant' understand why the costume designer didn't make allowances for Kat's figure. Not putting a bra on her, and not fitting the costume properly, simply made Katarina look fat, rather than sexy. On the other hand, why didn't Kat insist on having a properly fitted costume? She must have the clout to demand that from SOI.

[Skatingsarah]

I totally agree calypso56 Kat looked...she looked just not nice. I twitched every time I say her. Its really too bad cuz your right she didnt look sexy she looked fat, especailly because there were so many smaller girls around her. It really didn't complement her at all. ALSO the perverted camera guy didnt help either!

[Mistyeyed]

I really hate most of the fake flesh look. Take me back to the old days. I liked the simple yet elegant skating outfits. Then one is not so distracted by the outfit and pays attention to the artistry and athleticism of the skater. Some of todays outifts are so loud, for lack of a better word. One thing about Kristi, Kerrigan, Tonya K., Kwan, Robinson and Cohen, they have class when it comes to their skating outfits.

[Mistyeyed]

Angela N., also has lovely skating costumes.

[Ice_On_Winnipeg]

Some costumes that come to mind from the past that have been very tasteful are the ones that Lu Chen used to wear when she was competitive. I loved the one that Toller Cranston designed for her that was burgandy, I believe? I also find that Kristi Yamagouchi's costumes for SOI are always designed to a tee for her. But then she probably has the *perfect* figure skating body to a designer.

As already stated, nude fabric has to match the skin tone perfectly..otherwise it's just a tacky mess. It's something we shouldn't have to dwell on while we watch them skate, but I do admit that when I see a perfectly matched nude fabric to the skin tone..I'm impressed! And the look is very good.

[backspin]

There actually is a "no excessive use of flesh colored fabric" rule in the rulebook, with a deduction amount (I think .1, not sure) to be taken if it's violated. They used to call it the "Tonya Harding Rule", as I believe it was instituted in reaction to some of her costumes. I don't see any evidence that this rule is being enforced, or any deductions taken.

There are also separate costume rules for ice dancers: man must wear sleeves, & his chest should not be exposed. Guess they should add that last one for the lady as well, lol. :lol:

[Chico]

I find that a too revealing costumes distracts me from the skater. I'm pretty sure a costume is to add to the skate not distract from it. I don't care how many tights a person has on, having your bloomers ride up expose your fanny isn't a good thing for the skater or the watchers. I always want to yell, "Pull your bloomers down!" And thinking of a recent event...having your whole boob hang out on television has got to be distracting! Angela N, Michelle K, Christi Y, and Yuko S seem to wear appropiate costumes for the most part. They look beautiful and no alarming sights! Sometimes showing less is more if you know what I mean.

Chico