Figure skating outfits need fashion help

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The problem is, there are few requirements for figure skating costumes. You can’t skate naked — though some of the dancers seem to be trying. Certain body parts must be covered and men have to wear trousers. There are even penalties for fashion violations, though whoever’s in charge of that appears to be sleeping on the job.

Unlike most other sports, there’s no uniform, and no high-tech clothing that makes you spin tighter, jump higher or do footwork faster. It’s the whims of fashion that drive costumes, not advances in technology. Men’s tuxedos gave way to jumpsuits, then to separate pants and shirts. Wool went the way of the Edsel, replaced by spandex that allows skaters to move.

And as happens in life everyday, whatever the cool kids deem chic quickly becomes all the rage. Those stretch-fabric jumpsuits weren’t popular until Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton started wearing them.

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The Russian ice dancers came up with the idea to put their costumes through the shredder, and now there are wisps and tatters in men, women’s and pairs events.

“I asked skaters, ‘Why does the costume always have all this stuff?’” Billings said. “They said, ‘Because it makes it look like we’re skating faster. My comment was, ‘Why don’t you just skate faster? Is it really about an optical illusion? Or is it really about ability?”’

Billings’ solution: Turn loose those snarky commentators from the Oscars, Golden Globes and Grammys on figure skating, and watch the ugly outfits disappear.

“They think they’re in their own little insulated world,” Billings said. “The minute it starts to affect the results, it will change. ... But, as I always have said, the ugliest costume in the world can end up at the top of the podium, and the prettiest costume can go home last.”

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