I know that women’s figure skating is supposed to be the must-see event at the Winter Olympics, but I can’t help but prefer the men’s competition. And that’s not just because the men perform feats of flexibility that utterly baffle me (see this). Nope, I’ll admit that one of the main reasons I tune into men’s figure skating is for…the fashion.
Now, I know that we here on PopWatch on Ice have already discussed figure skating attire after the pairs short program on Sunday. But I feel that we haven’t completely exhausted the topic, since Tatyana Volosozhar and Stanislav Morozov’s neon blue spandex get-ups certainly deserve a whole dissertation of their own. But let’s focus on the men’s competition here: Really, who isn’t in awe of athletes perfectly willing to don outfits like this and this on the ice?
So now I ask you: What was your favorite men’s figure skating outfit of all time? My vote goes to Philippe Candeloro for this D’Artagnan-inspired ensemble (pictured). Rudy Galindo, however, gets my runner-up vote for wearing the Seinfeld puffy shirt during the 1996 Nationals. What say you, PopWatchers?
Photo Credit: Luca Bruno/AP Images
I can’t believe you left out Jonny Weir and his fox fur outfit that had him receiving death threats from PETA! haha
Anything worn by Brian Boitano. As seen from the back.
I THINK THAT IT DOES NOT MATTER
Johnny Weir’s Swan Lake ensemble, for sure. Actually any outfit of his…Alexei Yagudin’s Man in the Iron Mask from his long program in 2002 at SLC. Elvis Stojko’s LP outfit from Lillehammer. Some of those aren’t really outrageous, but they do stick out in my head.
Oh, I miss Philippe Candeloro!
i’m w/ u jessica, macho, charismatic,funny,talented.it’s been awhile since we’ve had that pkg
Oh my GOD I had forgotten about Phillipe! He was so hot, but he had a really high pitched voice. It was weird!
I agree with Candeloro. He even had the dash and charisma to pull it off.
I agree–even when Candeloro wore some odd Beastmaster-like outfit with fur and leather, he managed to make it work. To be honest, though, I prefer the skating costumes that are understated rather than over the top, unless it actually is part of the performance–Candeloro couldn’t be D’Artagnan without the proper outfit. Johnny Weir’s outfits just look like a kid playing dress-up to me, but maybe that’s because I perceive him as an annoying, spoiled brat.
I agree–love Candeloro. Only he could have made the Beastmaster outfit work. Also loved that spin he did that ended up with him in a sort of yoga pose on the ice.
LOVED Phillipe Candeloro! Swordfighting- En Guard!
Leather pants. Just show me the tight leather pants.
Let us not forget Elvis Stjoko (sp?), his mullet, and his penchant for acid-washed denim. He was like the Canadian Billy Ray Cyrus of figure skating. Except he was really pretty good.
Stojko
Oh man, don’t compare him to Billy Ray! I see your point, but yeah–he was so talented! I mean, a different sort of skater but he knew his strengths.
but his Bruce Lee outfit was pretty good!
Brian Orser not sure if this was in the Olympics or another competition but it was a Turkish/genie outfit with a midriff vest vest and he skated to a song called Constantinople
Also like when the guys just wear pants that look like jeans or high waist black pants with a plain white shirt… (spandex…. yeech!)
I don’t have a picture, but one that sticks with me is Brian Orser wearing a Toller Cranston outfit that had a huge puffy shirt. It fit really really loose. So much so that when he tried to pull his arms in for a jump his hands got all tangled in the extra fabric which ruined the jump. The commentator then said, “that’s a classic case of the costume getting in the way”, which is not something you worry about in most sports.
I know the thread is men but I can’t resist hijacking and throwing “golden” Denise Biellmann in there: http://www.icesk8r.com/ruh/pics/mittan/20031428.jpg
Gotta be Alexi Urmanov – he of the gloves. Especially his Short Program costume in the 1994 Olympics. Puffy and ruffy – plus – gloves!
I should have said favorite – and not in a good way. Fav in a good way were Kurt Browning’s “Brick House” pants (that was as a pro). It almost made up for the “little dutch boy” outfit – can’t remember which comp – don’t have time to look it up right now…
znachni, I thought of both Alexei Urmanov and his puffy shirt and gloves–which I thought were horrendous and laughable–and Kurt Browning’s shiny leather/vinyl pants he wore during “Brick House.” In fact, I looked up Kurt’s program on YouTube just to see the pants.
i dunno… the german short program outfits this year were not my thing. sorry, i should correct. it was the clown makeup that freaked me out. they skated to “bring in the clowns”
i also heard once that johnny weir wore some rooster type outfit.. is that for real or just my imagination? anyone hear of a rooster-type outfit? lol
Maybe you are thinking of his swan outfit where the red beak of the swan was one of his hands?
I always loved Paul Wylie in the 90s – his costumes were always so simple and classy — just like his skating (remember his routines to Henry V, Apollo 13 and Schindler’s List?).
I, too, miss Philippe and I loved that outfit. I did love both of Johnny’s outfits the year he won Nats for the first time. But my all-time fave is probably Yagudin’s long program 1999 (Lawrence of Arabia) (with honorable love-the-crazy to Ilia’s winged outfit sp 1998).
I just watched Alexei’s again–there’s a reason it’s one of my all-time faves. He even jumps to the other foot in the middle of a spin! The outfit evoked the story and music without being obvious–ridged bell sleeves evoked the setting but the black and white kept it simple (and evoked heat and shade).
And Ilia’s. I forgot I watched that tape so many times I had the whole commentary memorized. It’s interesting that Scott notes that footwork is a dying art, and then Yagudin started dominating the next year and he brought it back.
Johnny Weir’s swan. Done.