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superlatives
February 21, 2014

The Best and Worst of Olympic Figure Skating Costumes

By Allison P. Davis

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Photo: JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty Images

Now that the ice has been Zambonied a final time, the medals handed out to few and the dreams of many dashed, it’s time to take a look back at the spectacular style we saw on the ice. Female figure skaters chose outfits that sent clear messages to the judges. Ice dancers offered a tour de force of ridiculous character-based costumes. Men dominated in sheers and sequins.

From fake tuxedos to spandex to potential eye damage, here are our Olympic figure skating fashion superlatives.

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1 / 21 Photos
Best Ability to Wear Sheer Without Showing Nipples: Evengi Plushenko Sochi may have marked his last loop around the rink, but find a man who can ... Best Ability to Wear Sheer Without Showing Nipples: Evengi Plushenko Sochi may have marked his last loop around the rink, but find a man who can pull off being naked while clothed better than this Russian. Photo: Al Tielemans
Most Prince-Approved Onesie: Jason Brown Purple-velvet vest? Check. Studded crotch-seam? Check. Sleek and sultry ponytail? Check. Prince gives hi... Most Prince-Approved Onesie: Jason Brown Purple-velvet vest? Check. Studded crotch-seam? Check. Sleek and sultry ponytail? Check. Prince gives his blessings. Photo: 2014 Getty Images
Biggest Hunger Games Fanboy: Tatsuki Machida Just call him "The Boy on Fire." May the odds be ever in your favor, Tribute Machida. Ph... Biggest Hunger Games Fanboy: Tatsuki Machida Just call him "The Boy on Fire." May the odds be ever in your favor, Tribute Machida. Photo: 2014 NBCUniversal Media, LLC.
Color Combination Most Likely to Cause Ocular Damage: Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy The same rules of a solar eclipse apply to hot-pink lyr... Color Combination Most Likely to Cause Ocular Damage: Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy The same rules of a solar eclipse apply to hot-pink lyrca: Do not stare directly at the pants. Photo: 2014 AFP
Most Evil Black Swan: Elena Ilinykh and Nikita Katsalapo At least four other skaters were inspired by Black Swan. Maybe it's those insidious blac... Most Evil Black Swan: Elena Ilinykh and Nikita Katsalapo At least four other skaters were inspired by Black Swan. Maybe it's those insidious black gloves, but this was definitely the most terrifying of them all. Photo: 2014 Getty Images
Worst Color Choice for Athletic Men: Danielle Obrien and Gregory Merriman That mustard hides absolutely nothing. Especially not pit stains. Phot... Worst Color Choice for Athletic Men: Danielle Obrien and Gregory Merriman That mustard hides absolutely nothing. Especially not pit stains. Photo: YURI KADOBNOV/2014 AFP
Most Realistic Portrayl of Weird Science: Nelli Zhiganshina and Alexander Gazsi The pitch-perfect sweater vest almost distracts from the boob gr... Most Realistic Portrayl of Weird Science: Nelli Zhiganshina and Alexander Gazsi The pitch-perfect sweater vest almost distracts from the boob grab-and-gape — almost. Photo: 2014 Getty Images
Least Rebellious Rebels: Alex Shibutani and Maia Shibutani The "edgy" black leather and velvet costumes lose some intimidation factor w... Least Rebellious Rebels: Alex Shibutani and Maia Shibutani The "edgy" black leather and velvet costumes lose some intimidation factor with all the sparkle. Photo: 2014 AFP
Costume That Would Have Been More Welcome at Burning Man: Nathalie Pechalat and Fabian Bourzat This is Ice Palace not La Playa, hippes! Photo: 2... Costume That Would Have Been More Welcome at Burning Man: Nathalie Pechalat and Fabian Bourzat This is Ice Palace not La Playa, hippes! Photo: 2014 AFP
Most Likely to Double As Street Clothes: Ekaterina Bobrova and Dmitri Soloviev So casual, it's like they went to Theory and stumbled onto an Olym... Most Likely to Double As Street Clothes: Ekaterina Bobrova and Dmitri Soloviev So casual, it's like they went to Theory and stumbled onto an Olympic skating rink.
Costume With the Least Give and Comfort: Isabella Tobias and  Deividas Stagniunas It can't be comfortable to lunge into a jump in a three-pi... Costume With the Least Give and Comfort: Isabella Tobias and  Deividas Stagniunas It can't be comfortable to lunge into a jump in a three-piece suit — no matter how sharp you look. Photo: 2014 AFP
Most Appropriate for Pretentious 'Fart' School Students: Sara Hurtado and Adria Diaz He's dressed like a mime. That's probably Picasso on her bac... Most Appropriate for Pretentious 'Fart' School Students: Sara Hurtado and Adria Diaz He's dressed like a mime. That's probably Picasso on her back. They only drink espresso and smoke Gauloises. Photo: 2014 Getty Images
Stolen From the Costume Department of Disney World: Gregory Merriman and Danielle Obrien The Happiest Gobos! Photo: 2014 AFP
Worst Fake Tuxedo: Penny Coomes and Nicholas Buckland You aren't foolin' anyone, man! Photo: 2014 Getty Images
The Costume Your Grandma Would Love: Anna Cappellini and Luca Lanotte They both are welcome at Sunday dinner. Photo: 2014 MCT
Best Concentrated Bedazzling: Vanessa James and Morgan Cipr ès In an emergency her sleeve can also be used to direct air traffic. Photo: ... Best Concentrated Bedazzling: Vanessa James and Morgan Cipr ès In an emergency her sleeve can also be used to direct air traffic. Photo: 2014 John Berry
Most Angelic: Polina Edumunds You can almost hear heaven's choir. Photo: 2014 MCT
Most Classic Ice-Skater Skating Costume: Gracie Gold It's like Peggy Fleming, Dorothy Hamill, and Nancy Kerrigan had a baby. Photo: 2014 MCT
Best Pantsuit: Maé Bérénice Méité Hillary Clinton would be proud. Photo: 2014 John Berry
Least Subtle Skating Ensemble: Ashley Wagner Ashley "Bitch Face" Wagner holds nothing back and the same goes for her costume. Bold yell... Least Subtle Skating Ensemble: Ashley Wagner Ashley "Bitch Face" Wagner holds nothing back and the same goes for her costume. Bold yellow, bare stomach, cleavage for days. Her sassy costume is all: "I'm sexy, ruthless, and going for Gold (Gracie or otherwise)." Photo: 2014 MCT
Most Effortlessly Elegant: Kim Yuna Queen Yuna regally graces the ice with her presence. Photo: Al Tielemans
1 / 21

Tags:

  • sochi 2014
  • sochi fashion
  • ice skating
  • figure skating
  • ice dancing
  • sochi olympics 2014
  • ice cold style
  • superlatives
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