Secrets of the charming figure skating costumes

It is not just clothes!

In addition to the skills of the athletes, their costumes are also a selling point in figure skating in Olympics Games. But why are these so attractive?

To perform the best to audiences, the skaters need not only their perform techniques and the right background music, but also their unique and sophisticated costumes. Audiences are not just enjoying what difficult actions the athletes can perform, but how beautiful costumes are.

AP Photo

AP Photo

AP Photo

AP Photo

AP Photo

A set of fantastic costume always has some incredible design. Just let the famous designer of figure skating uniforms, Jan Longmire and Lisa McKinnon, tell you the secrets of them.

1. Understand the needs of skaters

Lisa McKinnon has designed several sets of costumes for well-known skaters, including the skaters from the US team - Alexa Scimeca Knierim and Chris Knierim and Germany team - Aliona Savchenko and Bruno Massot. At the first meeting between Lisa and athletes, she will listen carefully to their needs and then repeatedly listen to the performing songs they've chosen. 

Lisa McKinnon(left)/Online Photo

US team pair: Alexa Scimeca Knierim and Chris Knierim/AP Photo

Jan Longmire, who had designed clothes for Adam Rippon, Sasha Cohen, and Ashley Wagner, said in an interview that he needs to pay attention to who is the first one to show up because it will influence his way of composing music. At the same time, the designing process also involves a lot of people, including coach, choreographers, even local skating official agencies.

2. Sparkling costumes

On the white ice, the athletes become the only focus once they show up. Therefore, designers need to add some elements like amphibole, bead piece, etc. to the clothes to make sure that the contestants they served for are more outstanding than others, also leaving a deep impress to the audiences.

AP Photo

Adam Rippon/AP Photo

3. 50% of the body of skater needs to be covered

Every contestant on the ice will wear sexy clothes aiming to show their perfect figures clearly. However, according to the regulation, half of their body needs to be covered. International Skating Union has stipulated that the clothes of skaters are supposed to be modest, graceful and suitable.

4. Female athletes can wear pants

As we can see most of the female skaters love to wear skirt and tights when taking part in competitions. However, since 2006 female skaters can wear stretchy suit named 'one-piece'. In Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, Maé-Bérénice Méité from French wears exactly this kind of suit. However, according to the regulation of International Skating Union, competitors can wear only skirts when participating in ice dancing.

Maé-Bérénice Méité/Getty Images

5. The clothes must be endurable

All of the athletes regard their gym suits as the secret weapon. However, risks always exist. The ornaments must be carefully decorated on the suits and should be safe enough. If any adornments break down during the match, the scores will be deducted. Therefore, all of the materials like amphibole and bead piece, must be carefully examed since the later performer might come across risks due to the materials.

AP Photo

6. The clothes should be comfortable

Wearing tights inevitably make people feel uncomfortable. Thus, one of the most important things is that the suit needs to comfortable enough in case it will distract the athlete. Only by fulfilling this tip can the athlete do his talents justice.

7. The length of the skirts

Many girls will choose a set of mini-skirt for competition. The reasons include personal preference, the style of songs and, last but not least, the intensity of the movements. The skirt should not be too heavy. Otherwise, it will influence the skater's movement like rotation. Some skaters choose mini-skirts because the skirt will do harm to the concentration if it rotates intensely.

AP Photo

8. The price

A set of skating clothing costs around $1000 to $5000. Longmire explains that the clothing is more and more expensive because there are a number of players start to use crystal. And each piece is handmade, so the time needed and sewing technology are included in the cost.

Online Photo

9.Famous fashion designer Vera Wang is one of the designers for skaters

In the past Winter Olympics, famous fashion designer Vera Wang had designed suits for Michelle Kwan and Nancy Kerrigan who took the race on behalf of the US. Vera was a skater and she had designed a lot of skating clothes. As for Roberto Cavalli came from Italy, he had designed skating suits for Carolina Kostner who successfully defended champion in Italian Championship for seven times. Vera and Roberto both come from the same country and they are the perfect match!

Getty Images

Getty Images

Nathan Chen's costume is designed by Vera Wang (AP Photo)

10. It takes time to inlay crystal

The most time-consuming part is not on the dress but the process of inlaying crystal. Each little bead needs to be decorated by human hand. It may cost 4 to 40 hours, which is quite striking.

11. Bring good luck to the rink.
Some contestants, believing that it will bring them good luck, will add charms to their clothing out of their religious beliefs or superstitions. The others will choose to sew a religious ornament made of metal on their clothes.