Dress at U.S. Artistic Nationals

[Dennis Belkofer]

I was taken aback by the costumes worn by the men at nationals.
Why all the sequins and flowing sashes? Forgive me for not being politically correct - but all those gaudy decorations are far from masculine!
And I am talking about what I saw men wear in all events. Many of the outfits bordered on cartoonish and circus-like. Please men!!!! What's wrong with a tailored and understated look? Let's look like men who have class - not third-world fashion disasters.

Dennis

[ClassicSolo]

As far as those comments about the men's and women's outfits at nationals, it's a matter of opinion - one that I don't agree with.

[pastskater]

I tend to disagree with the comment of ice and roller and the wish to dress alike. I can relate with what I have seen being that the media's medium on skating events of ice skaters. The sashes and such for many of the tango's or of the Latin themed dances or of routines with emotions and so on(you explained your former skating) I would think some are right in line with what the mood or impression they are trying to achieve.

The other issues of the women, I have found more version of the skating apparel then ever before. Heck, you would've had to gone to a Goldskate show back in the 70's to get those differences. (the skirt styles weren't all there). Take a long look at smiller's website and go back to your time of quoted elegance and you will see there are far less of the choices on apparel. If you are quoting it is a bit too sexy or revealing then again in reference to regulations I might suggest you take the time for finding those that allow such costumes.

[rollinrock]

I too do agree that some of the men's outfits have gotten to flashy. I too was guilty of having very flashy freedance outfits, but I am a man and the music called for the outfits. I feel that the more elite events, like the Sr WC and JR WC should be have a bit more "flash and trim" but lets not over do it. I especially hate seeing the litte guys (primary, juvenile, elementary) wearing multiple gross of stones and beads and whatever their mom has put on their outfits. I think we want to build our sport, but by putting our little guys in very flashy and sparkly shirts and pants are sure going to turn off a lot of possible boys who want to skate, and if it doesnt turn them off I am sure their fathers who want their boy to do a "man sport" will not approve of all the glitz and glamour! Maybe we should consider censoring what we allow to wear younger boys to wear. Just a thought.

[rolaboi]

WHAT CENTURY ARE WE LIVING IN??

i cant believe some of these comments.. if you took up ballet, would a father insist his son wear a pair of overalls or football boots????

dress within the limits of your creativity, express yourself freely and be dictated to by no other... especially when it comes to performance!

[EKSkate]

I believe that the program, the music and the creativity should all factor in to the costuming of a skater, male or female; however, there was a male WC skater whose short program costuming was in my opinion a distraction because part of it kept flying up during his jumps and would creep up under his armpits during spins.

[rolaboi]

Originally Posted by EKSkate

I believe that the program, the music and the creativity should all factor in to the costuming of a skater, male or female;

agreed absolutely....

Originally Posted by EKSkate

however, there was a male WC skater whose short program costuming was in my opinion a distraction because part of it kept flying up during his jumps and would creep up under his armpits during spins.

a common flaw, down to the fact that the skater probably never had a dress rehershal pre competition to test it out for any 'malfunction'!!!

A good example of a skater who paid the high price for a 'malfunction' was Scott Cohen in 1988 who copped a penalty for his shirt coming out of his pants and flying up causing 'embarrassment to the judges' (there is a rule for that!)... and he ended up in 4th!!!

[hikkergurl]

Originally Posted by rollinrock

I too do agree that some of the men's outfits have gotten to flashy. I too was guilty of having very flashy freedance outfits, but I am a man and the music called for the outfits. I feel that the more elite events, like the Sr WC and JR WC should be have a bit more "flash and trim" but lets not over do it. I especially hate seeing the litte guys (primary, juvenile, elementary) wearing multiple gross of stones and beads and whatever their mom has put on their outfits. I think we want to build our sport, but by putting our little guys in very flashy and sparkly shirts and pants are sure going to turn off a lot of possible boys who want to skate, and if it doesnt turn them off I am sure their fathers who want their boy to do a "man sport" will not approve of all the glitz and glamour! Maybe we should consider censoring what we allow to wear younger boys to wear. Just a thought.

Censoring? What is this? I mean, I think the US in general is run by a bunch of fanatics and is not unlike Gerorge Orwells "1984", however it doesn't belong in what is supposed to be a FUN sport.

Yes, costuming can make or break a performance on many levels and it's up to the individual and their coach. Their bad (or good) taste should remain up to them. This country in censored enough!

Oy, Gevalt!
Liz

[rolaboi]

Originally Posted by hikkergurl

Censoring? What is this? I mean, I think the US in general is run by a bunch of fanatics and is not unlike Gerorge Orwells "1984", however it doesn't belong in what is supposed to be a FUN sport.

Yes, costuming can make or break a performance on many levels and it's up to the individual and their coach. Their bad (or good) taste should remain up to them. This country in censored enough!

Oy, Gevalt!
Liz

I could not agree more!!! three cheers for Liz!

[rwsz]

Originally Posted by rollinrock

I too do agree that some of the men's outfits have gotten to flashy. I too was guilty of having very flashy freedance outfits, but I am a man and the music called for the outfits. I feel that the more elite events, like the Sr WC and JR WC should be have a bit more "flash and trim" but lets not over do it. I especially hate seeing the litte guys (primary, juvenile, elementary) wearing multiple gross of stones and beads and whatever their mom has put on their outfits. I think we want to build our sport, but by putting our little guys in very flashy and sparkly shirts and pants are sure going to turn off a lot of possible boys who want to skate, and if it doesnt turn them off I am sure their fathers who want their boy to do a "man sport" will not approve of all the glitz and glamour! Maybe we should consider censoring what we allow to wear younger boys to wear. Just a thought.

as a skating father i dont mind the stones and sequins, in fact i requested back in the 90s to reinstate them for men. reason being was if your son was skating jwc and another division he could have stones and sequins for jwc but couldnt wear them in the other division so for the same program you had to have 2 outfits, one stoned and one undone. if you didnt stone it for jwc they would look out of place. i also think you can make the outfit classy and not cheap. it doesnt have to be overstoned, many gross arent needed for the men or women in my opinion. when you have a $100 outfit and $1000 worth of stones, thats a bit much.

also the syle today is different and i happen to think the roller skaters outfits look better then most of the ice skaters.

[rwsz]

Originally Posted by rolaboi

agreed absolutely....



a common flaw, down to the fact that the skater probably never had a dress rehershal pre competition to test it out for any 'malfunction'!!!

A good example of a skater who paid the high price for a 'malfunction' was Scott Cohen in 1988 who copped a penalty for his shirt coming out of his pants and flying up causing 'embarrassment to the judges' (there is a rule for that!)... and he ended up in 4th!!!

Jay i am not sure but i thought that happened at usa nationals and he got 2nd instead of first that year there.

[EKSkate]

Rick,

That was at Nationals. I watched it happen on spin after spin, and yes there definitely is a deduction for it.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by hikkergurl

Censoring? What is this? I mean, I think the US in general is run by a bunch of fanatics and is not unlike Gerorge Orwells "1984", however it doesn't belong in what is supposed to be a FUN sport.

Yes, costuming can make or break a performance on many levels and it's up to the individual and their coach. Their bad (or good) taste should remain up to them. This country in censored enough!

Oy, Gevalt!
Liz

I agree, We don't need fashion police. besides that gives us something to talk about up in the stands
b.

[rollinrock]

Originally Posted by hikkergurl

Censoring? What is this? I mean, I think the US in general is run by a bunch of fanatics and is not unlike Gerorge Orwells "1984", however it doesn't belong in what is supposed to be a FUN sport.

Yes, costuming can make or break a performance on many levels and it's up to the individual and their coach. Their bad (or good) taste should remain up to them. This country in censored enough!

Oy, Gevalt!
Liz

maybe 'censoring" was the wrong word. maybe having some suggested guidlines to help coaches and parents on beading the costumes to a more age/level appropiate standard.

I guess what has given me such a sour taste about stones, is we had a young boy in the club who's mother insisted he had all his daily practice outfits stoned! not just stoned, but bedazzled. and class skaters and general public kids would come in and make comments. i heard many good public boy skaters say they would never skate competion if they had to wear sparkly outfits. of course all the girls loved his practice outfits, but not a single boy had anything good to say. by this time the boys have made up their minds on not to skate or even to give it a try due to stoned outfits. it is easier to get girls to skate than it is to get boys to skate.

i agree that some decoration and stoning is a must now a days at a competative level. especially the higher levels and adult events. i was just expressing a concern when it came to the younger boy events, especially after seeing all the boys or the lack there of boys we had this year at nationasl! most of the boy events where finals! i am not saying the stoned outfits are the cause, but i am sure they play a role somewhere in the problem.

[Dennis Belkofer]

Come on Folks - I am not talking about censorship but good taste. To argue that down-playing the gawdiness of men's costumes is censorship is reflective of how far roller skating has sunk in the past 20 years.

Dennis

[Bill]

Originally Posted by rollinrock

maybe 'censoring" was the wrong word. maybe having some suggested guidlines to help coaches and parents on beading the costumes to a more age/level appropiate standard.

I guess what has given me such a sour taste about stones, is we had a young boy in the club who's mother insisted he had all his daily practice outfits stoned! not just stoned, but bedazzled. and class skaters and general public kids would come in and make comments. i heard many good public boy skaters say they would never skate competion if they had to wear sparkly outfits. of course all the girls loved his practice outfits, but not a single boy had anything good to say. by this time the boys have made up their minds on not to skate or even to give it a try due to stoned outfits. it is easier to get girls to skate than it is to get boys to skate.

i agree that some decoration and stoning is a must now a days at a competative level. especially the higher levels and adult events. i was just expressing a concern when it came to the younger boy events, especially after seeing all the boys or the lack there of boys we had this year at nationasl! most of the boy events where finals! i am not saying the stoned outfits are the cause, but i am sure they play a role somewhere in the problem.

Good point. I skated team dance for a little while. Between my partner, her coach and my coach who were all female, I figured it best to trust their judgment. Thankfully they did a great job.

My "Club" outfit which we are "Required" to wear for figures is another story. It's not too flashy, just something that most guys wouldn't want to wear. For that one I just had to "suck it up". I can see how outfits can make it or break it issue for young males. A smart coach should/will keep that in mind ... hopefully.
Bill

[rolaboi]

Originally Posted by rwsz

Jay i am not sure but i thought that happened at usa nationals and he got 2nd instead of first that year there.

It was Nationals, that's what I'm talking about.. and he got 4th... Scott didn't skate worlds in `88 Pensacola... he was out.. It was Greg, Kevin and another guy from the US, cant remember.. (strangely!)..

[rwsz]

Originally Posted by rolaboi

It was Nationals, that's what I'm talking about.. and he got 4th... Scott didn't skate worlds in `88 Pensacola... he was out.. It was Greg, Kevin and another guy from the US, cant remember.. (strangely!)..

Jay guess your getting old lol.

[rollinrock]

Originally Posted by rolaboi

It was Nationals, that's what I'm talking about.. and he got 4th... Scott didn't skate worlds in `88 Pensacola... he was out.. It was Greg, Kevin and another guy from the US, cant remember.. (strangely!)..

wasnt the third guy david demonte?

[rwsz]

Originally Posted by rollinrock

wasnt the third guy david demonte?

i was thinking it could have been david demotte but wasnt sure and still am not lol