When it comes to figure skating, the often-flashy outfits worn on the ice are almost as important as a skater’s technical skill and perfectly choreographed moves.

While the ability to perform a perfect triple axel is a surefire way to bag the top spot on the scoreboard, having an outfit that pleases the judges is also essential if a skater wants to score major points during competitions.

Figure skater outfits are distinctive for many reasons — for starters, skaters don’t wear uniforms or team kits or colors that unify members of a team, as many other athletes in different sports do.

Skaters’ looks are often incredibly glitzy, glam and almost always feature swaths of satin and sequins. The majority also tend to feature plenty of sheer flesh-colored material too, giving the illusion that the skater’s ensemble features several rather saucy cut-outs as they whip around the ice.

Some high profile skaters even call upon the talents of celebrated fashion designers to help them craft their perfect look — Vera Wang has designed for U.S. champions Nancy Kerrigan and Evan Lysacek, and French skater Surya Bonaly has worn outfits designed by Christian Lacroix.

If you’ve ever wondered why so many skaters insist in casing their bodies in so much flesh colored netting, a writer at Bustle has come up with a theory. It turns out, the panels of see-through fabric have nothing to do with keeping a skater warm.

According to the “International Skating Union Handbook,” although figure skaters don’t have to wear uniforms, they do have to follow a dress code, regardless of gender or rank. Modesty is one of the main stipulations. It states: “The clothing must not give the effect of excessive nudity inappropriate for the discipline. Men must wear full-length trousers and must not wear tights. In addition, in Ice Dance ladies must wear a skirt.”

In 1988, the “Katarina Rule” was implemented after skater Katarina Witt competed in a leotard. Now all female skaters must wear skirts that cover their hips and butt.

Words to Learn 相关词汇

【三周半跳跃】sānzhōubàn tiàoyuè triple axel a figure skating jump with a forward take-off and 3.5 rotations

【紧身连衣裤】jǐnshēn liányīkù leotard a unisex skin-tight one-piece garment that covers the torso but leaves the legs exposed, often worn by gymnasts and dancers

说到花样滑冰，在冰上比赛时穿的亮闪闪的服装几乎同选手的技能和完美舞姿一样重要。

虽说在冰上完成三周半跳跃是万无一失的夺冠之道，但是拥有一套能让评委们赏心悦目的服装对于选手在比赛中得分也至关重要。

花样滑冰选手的服装在很多方面都很独特。首先，滑冰选手不会像其他很多赛事的运动员一样穿全队统一样式或颜色的服装或滑冰鞋。

滑冰选手的服装通常都很耀眼，光芒四射，而且还有缎子和亮片装饰。

大多数滑冰比赛服通常还有大片的肉色面料，在他们滑冰时可以造成性感裸露的假象。

一些高调的滑冰选手甚至会请知名的服装设计师来帮他们打造完美外表——王薇薇就曾经为美国花样滑冰冠军南茜•克里根和埃文•雷萨切克设计过比赛服，法国滑冰选手苏利耶•波娜莉也曾穿过克里斯汀•拉克鲁瓦设计的服装。

如果你好奇为什么这么多滑冰选手坚持穿大面积肉色网眼面料的比赛服，Bustle网站的一位作者有一套自己的理论。根据该作者的解释，穿大面积透视面料和保暖毫无关系。

《国际滑冰总会手册》说，尽管滑冰选手无需穿统一服装，但无论是男选手还是女选手，无论他们是什么身份，都是要遵守着装规范的。主要的规范之一就是低调。

手册中写道：“服装不能裸露太多肉体，这是不合规则的。男选手应该穿长裤，不能穿紧身裤。此外，女选手在冰上舞蹈运动中必须穿裙子。”

1988年，在滑冰选手卡特琳娜·维特穿紧身连衣裤参赛后，就引入了“卡特琳娜规范”。现在所有滑冰女选手都必须穿能盖住臀部的裙子。(Chinadaily.com.cn)