Cookie banner

This site uses cookies. Select "Block all non-essential cookies" to only allow cookies necessary to display content and enable core site features. Select "Accept all cookies" to also personalize your experience on the site with ads and partner content tailored to your interests, and to allow us to measure the effectiveness of our service.

To learn more, review our Cookie Policy, Privacy Notice and Terms of Use.

or
clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

A Figure Skater’s Dress Contains Clues About Her Performance

‘History Of’ hits the ice.

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.

As the Winter Olympics start, take note.

In figure skating, as opposed to most sports, the uniforms are fascinating studies namely because, well, they’re not uniform. Skaters choose their own outfits, and what they select can speak volumes about their performances and how they’re positioning themselves.

Take Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding, for example. Back in the ’90s, Kerrigan wore elegant outfits custom-made by Vera Wang, while Harding — seen as the scrappy outsider — wore flashy homemade ensembles. The fashion reinforced their reputations, for better or for worse.

And there are even more clues, from color to cut, to better understand the skaters you’re about to see.

Follow Racked on YouTube for more videos | Like Racked on Facebook to never miss a video