Olympic Figure Skating Outfits Provide Inspiration For Show Pen Fashion

By: Brittany Bevis

If you’re anything like most of the country, you’ve been glued to your television sets and social media feeds devouring every second of the 24/7 coverage of the 2018 Winter Olympics that’s currently underway in PyeongChang, South Korea. While equestrian events aren’t included on the Winter Olympic schedule, equestrians are, first and foremost, athletes, and, as such, we thrive on good competition.

In addition to precision skill, incredible athletics, and high stakes atmosphere, equestrian competition parallels one of the Winter Olympics most high profile sports, Figure Skating,  in another way- those incredible outfits! As many have noted on social media, the figure skating costumes this year bear a striking resemble to horse show outfits…

So, for a bit of fun, we rounded up some of our favorite, sparkly concoctions and analyzed what trends we could see carry over from the Olympic arena to the show pen in 2018.

2018 Olympic Trends

• Gradient Swarovski crystals
• Mesh and paneled cutouts
• Faux, plunging necklines
• Mixture of fabrics for texture
• Multi-layered fringe
• Graphic lines and sharp angles

#1 Trend- Complimentary Colors

The first trend, as exhibited by Team USA’s Adam Rippon, is a palette of complimentary colors. One of our favorite Rippon outfits is this turquoise, navy, and royal blue Swarovski encrusted ensemble with a combination of complimentary water-themed colors. The overloading of crystals is actually what creates the underlying design. Much like a solid, dark colored pair of chaps, Rippon anchored the look with a navy, blue bottom.

Another one of Rippon’s favorite looks, that he wore last night during the Mens’ Short Program, was a burgundy and black number with black leather reverse cutouts and crystal edge detailing. This piece utilized three trends- mesh, graphic lines, and strategic, reverse cutouts. According to a piece on USA Today Sports, this outfit cost $1,200 and was created by his friend and Los Angeles designer Braden Overett.

#2 Trend- Back In Black 

Despite struggling a bit during his first Olympics, Team USA’s Nathan Chen delivered several of his signature looks in solid black with white accents. Understated and elegant with a graphic edge, Chen’s outfits are thoroughly modern, even down to the exposed zippers down the back and on the sleeves. Instead of using different colors and overloading with crystals to attract attention, Chen’s outfits alternate black fabrics to create dimension and interest.

#3 Trend- Sophisticated and Unadorned

The world has fallen in love with Team USA’s Pairs Figure Skating husband and wife team, Alexa Scimeca-Knierim and Chris Knierim, following news of the health struggles they’ve overcome just to make it to PyeongChang. We enjoyed this simple and sophisticated gray and purple ensemble that let the couple’s talent speak for itself. Alexa’s outfit creates interest with its unusual, pale purple color, sheer sleeves, flowy fabric, and turtleneck, entirely devoid of any embellishment.

#4 Trend- Bright Pop of Color

Going in an entirely different direction, Team USA Ice Dancing Team, Alex and Maia Shibutani, made a youthful choice with a bright pop of color for their outfits for the Pairs Short Dance Team Event.

Instead of just using one color, Maia’s outfit combines two equally neon choices, fuchsia pink and tangerine orange, complete with a plugging neckline that leads to a diamond pattern at the waist. Even Alex’s outfit in caramel and black with a satin sheen might provide inspiration for a rider that has a buckskin, Palomino, or black horse.

#5 Trend- Cutting Edge

France’s Pairs Figure Skating Team of Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres made waves with the cutting edge choice of music for the Pairs Free Skate. They performed to Disturbed’s cover of Simon and Garfunkel’s The Sound Of Silence. That edgy sensibility extends to their outfits as well, evident with this black and white combo from a 2015 Stockholm competition. Vanessa’s outfit features an embellished necklace-style collar, cascading crystals, and a featherlike white design.

#6 Trend- Modern Styling

If you enjoyed Team Canada’s Tessa Virtue’s incredible single sleeve black and gold dress that she wore during the Pairs Short Dance Team Event, you likely also enjoy the similarly asymmetrical burgundy number she wore during the Pairs Free Dance Team Event.

Most of her choices have a few things in common: a simple color scheme, strategically placed cutouts, and a play on symmetry. We love this royal blue dress with double plunging neckline covered with crystals that she wore at a 2011 Paris event.

#7 Trend- Power Play

Team France’s Mae Berenice Meite is known for her powerful suits, and she certainly didn’t disappoint during the Ladies Short Team Event with a black, gold, and white number that very closely resembled a Horsemanship top design. The black and gold top was heavily embellished with diamond stones down the center and a reverse plunge with mesh stomach panel, as well as a delicate, stacked, double belt detail.

She’s worn similar outfits in the past. Note this power suit she wore at a 2013 Paris competition with white, crystal cap sleeves and an angular neckline in royal blue and black. The triangle crystals and lined edges create a mosaic design. Or what about this black stunner with a design created entirely out of varying shapes and sizes of crystals?

Clearly there are many similarities between the horse show pen and the Olympic arena, when costuming is concerned, but what about the price of these incredible creations? Do they compare? According to a Time Magazine article, these types of figure skating costumes can range anywhere from $2,500 to $10,000. When it comes to the actual equipment figure skaters use, skates can range anywhere from $800 to $1,000, and blades can cost another $1,000.

Stay tuned for the next installation in our Olympic series, “It Takes Gold to Go For The Gold,” as we compare the costs of being an Olympic athlete versus being a nationally competitive equestrian.

Interested in learning more about figure skating fashion?

Check out the following links-

2018 Winter Olympics Fashion- Sparkly Skating Costumes- https://www.usmagazine.com/stylish/pictures/2018-winter-olympics-fashion-sparkly-skating-costumes/

Spandex, Sparkle, and Pure Athleticism- A Photo History of Figure Skating Fashion- https://quartzy.qz.com/1191926/spandex-sparkle-and-pure-athleticism-a-photo-history-of-figure-skating-fashion/

2018 Olympic Figure Skating Guide- https://edition.cnn.com/2018/02/08/sport/figure-skating-olympics-preview-trnd/index.html