When it comes to figure skating, the often-flashy outfits worn on the ice as almost as important as a skater’s technical skill and perfectly choreographed moves.
While the ability to perform a perfect triple axel is a sure fire way to bag the top spot on the scoreboard, having an outfit that pleases the judges is also essential if a skater wants to score major points during competitions.
Figure skater outfits are distinctive for many reasons – for starters, skaters don’t wear uniforms or team kits or colors that unifies members of a team, as many other athletes in different sports do.
High fashion: Nancy Kerrigan wore this custom made Vera Wang creation at the 1994 Winter Olympics, with the sheer arms meeting The International Skating Union Handbook dress code
Expensive tastes: American skater Evan Lysacek has also worn outfits designed by Vera Wang (left) and French skater Surya Bonaly wore this Christian Lacroix creation in 1992
Worst dressed list: Tonya Harding faced lots of harsh criticism from judges over her outfit choices, like this one worn at the 1994 United States figure skating championships
And far from helping them to blend in with a crowd, skaters’ looks are more often than not incredible glitzy, glam and almost always feature swaths of satin and sequins.
The majority also tend to feature plenty of sheer flesh-colored material too, giving the illusion that the skater’s ensemble features several rather saucy cut-outs as they whip around the ice.
Some high profile skaters even call upon the talents of celebrated fashion designers to help them craft their perfect look – Vera Wang has designed for US champions Nancy Kerrigan and Evan Lysacek, and French skater Surya Bonaly has worn outfits designed by Christian Lacroix.
But if you’ve ever wondered why so many skaters insist in casing their bodies in so much flesh colored netting, a writer at Bustle has come up with a theory to explain it – and it turns out, the panels of see-through fabric are nothing to do with keeping a skater warm.
Citing The International Skating Union Handbook, it has revealed that although figure skaters don’t have to wear uniforms, they do have to follow a dress code, regardless of gender or rank.
And modesty is one of the main stipulations.
Hopeful: Skater Mirai Nagasu who is part of Team USA is heading to PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics
Japanese figure skater Miyu Honda (left) and American skater Ashley Wagner (right) have both adhered to the strict modesty rules in the past
Side angle: French skater Laurine Lecavelier showed off sheer side panels at the European Figure Skating Championships 2018 in Moscow
Russian skater Alina Zagitova of Russia also kept in line with the dress code during the 2018 European Figure Skating Championships
It states: ‘The clothing must not give the effect of excessive nudity inappropriate for the discipline. Men must wear full length trousers and must not wear tights. In addition, in Ice Dance ladies must wear a skirt.’
In 1988, the ‘Katarina Rule’ was implemented after skater Katarina Witt competed in a leotard.
Now all female skaters must wear skirts that cover their hips and butt.
So much like sheer pantyhose, sheer panels on skaters’ costumes give the illusion of skin without actually showing any.
And as most costumes feature the illusion of a backless design or opened up side panels, the flesh colored mesh material allows for more revealing designs that stay within the ISU guidelines.
The handbook also states that ‘garish’ and ‘theatrical’ looks are also not permitted on the ice and accessories and props are also banned.