I just love the Olympics for so many reasons. I have discovered some new sports that I didn’t know I liked, like moguls and snowboarding. I have all my old faves, like figure skating and speed skating and downhill skiing. I’ve been fascinated by the uniforms or outfits, whatever you call them for these sports. When Hubot and I saw the moguls, we both had to lean forward and peer at the TV. We loved the sport, but we thought the uniforms were a little pajama-like:
Then there were the snowboarders. Listen, if I was hurtling down a mountain on a tiny little sliver of wood, I’d want something with a little more give in it than jeans. I am sure they have some spandex in them, but I wonder why not ski pants?
Same for half-pipe: These guys look like they got up, picked up whatever was on the bedroom floor, and put it on before they went out to win their medals. Okay, I get that. Lord knows I’ve done that a time or two. But for the Olympics, you’d think they would want to spiff it up.
Hey, I’ll tell you what uniforms I really like — that’s the speedskating uniforms. Nothing to complain about there:
Now riddle me this, Batman. Why do the figure-skating outfits have to be so cheesy? Seriously. Look at the German couple’s costumes. Yes, they were skating to Send in the Clowns, but did they really have to dress like clowns? And when the Olympic people trotted out the clown outfit, why didn’t the guy just say NO? Then there is the outrageous trend in men’s figure skating to get all glittery and sequiny and feathery. They were interviewing Evan Lysecek, who had such a great performance, but I was completely distracted by the feathers. Johnny Weir will be remembered not for his skating, but his outfits. What happened to the days of Dick Button and little tuxedo suits? They look like tiny dancers in those silly suits…or is it just me? If you want a full review of ice-skating fashion, check this out.
What Olympic fashions do you like? What Olympic fashions do you think need improvement? What’s your favorite Olympic sport?
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
I read that those pants weren’t really jeans but ski pants made to look like torn jeans. I love the alpine events–the men’s halfpipe was AMAZING. I also love curling–it just totally cracks me up, seeing those guys scrubbing the ice with those brooms. I laugh every time.
Watching curling now, LOL! Wow, those snow pants sure drooped in back like some of them wear their jeans. I think they needed snowproof boxers to go under them.
I love the figure skating. Last night men’s competition was incredible. now I read where Pleshenko is whining because he lost. He doesn’t believe Evan deserves a gold because he didn’t do a quad jump. Not advancing the sport, he says. Also he claims because it’s a sport that the footwork and artistry doesn’t matter, just the jumps.
If that were true, then why don’t they just go out there and jump and not do anything else?
What a crybaby.
Big crybaby. I saw an interview with Scott Hamilton that summed it up well. Plushenko did the quad and he got scored for it– and he still didn’t win. It is also about execution and how one element leads to another. And let’s face it, those pelvic thrusts he called dance moves were pretty darn creepy. It was not exactly a seamless performance. It was more like: skate, skate, jump, skate- stop and imitate a Chippendale’s dancer- skate, spin, skate, jump. Very disruptive to have to pause for those moves. Plushenko needs work. Yay, Evan!
Haven’t seen as much this year as I’d like (but I did get the iPhone App…no surprise there). I love all the skating stuff, but totally agree with you on the costumes. Whenever I see a frou-frou men’s costume, I think of the scene in The Cutting Edge (love that movie) where DB Sweeney rips off the sequins. Love it. As for favorite event, my fav is gymnastics–the floor and the beam, but that’s 2 years away, so….
Does anybody else miss the old 4-year schedule? I liked having everything at the same time. And maybe it’s just that we didn’t have 8 million channel options then, but it also seemed like there was more coverage.
I really miss the every four year thing, I think that’s sort of why I stopped watching. I can name the years, like Nadia in 76, Bart Conner in 84. Now I don’t know when to expect the next summer games, Sharon I’m so confused.
Love the pics. Have not seen a second of Olympic coverage this year (except for the winter triathlon thing, which I didn’t understand and quickly flipped to Law & Order.) I’m hoping I can catch some figure skating because I do love to watch the performances.
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I really like the snowboarders jackets but I didn’t realize they were wearing jeans until I read the post. I guess I was just too mesmerized by all the stunts. But I it really does reflect who they are.
I could never understand why the men in figure skating need all the glitz. I would prefer to just watch them in a pair of black pants and a white shirt. Do any of you remember the Katerina incident where she popped out? I think because of that there are now regulations for the women’s costumes.
SuzyQ, I had completely forgotten that!
I wasn’t too sure about the Snowboard outfits at first but I kinda like the preppy punk style of them. The pants are not really jeans that would be completely impractical (I know I used to snowboard in them cause I was too broke to buy snowboard pants) but you have to remember the design was done by Burton before we knew who was on the team and this is an ad to all snowboarders out there its gotta appeal to the consumers. btw did you see all the hubbub that japan is having cause their snowboard guy has dreadlocks and wears baggy cloths I am so glad we aren’t that uptight in this country.
I want to see a Japanese guy in dreads!
here is the web site: http://www.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/02/18/japan.kokubo.olympics/index.html
Love it!! Thx for sharing. I think he looks kind of cool.
I really like the snowboarders jackets but I didn’t realize they were wearing jeans until I read the post. I guess I was just too mesmerized by all the stunts. But I it really does reflect who they are.
I could never understand why the men in figure skating need all the glitz. I would prefer to just watch them in a pair of black pants and a white shirt. Do any of you remember the Katerina incident where she popped out? I think because of that there are now regulations for the women’s costumes.
Sometimes I think, “She/he got up this morning and put that on on purpose.”
I have to admit that I loved those plaid jackets the snowboarders wore. I would wear one right now. Someone would think, “She got up this morning and put that on on purpose–and it was a bad plan,” but I’d do it.
There is no snake or feather than can diminish the manliness that is Evan Lysecek, but I hate me a clown suit. I guess Johnny’s just got to do what Johnny’s got to do. And there it was.
I admire Johnny’s ability to march totally to the beat of his own drummer.
The USA rocks. That’s all.
I read an interesting article about the snow boarders/half pipe ski gear choices and was interested to hear that the US choice of “jeans” was a nod to the renegade aspect of the sport and the fact that they do ususally work in whatever they pick up off the bedroom floor. They just don’t want to go too mainstream. That said — PLAID? seriously dude. PLAID?
As to Evan, thought it was interesting that his costumes were designed by Vera Wang (who went to Sarah Lawrence). And liked the snakes but had no idea how they tied into Sheherazade? More Medea, I think. And Johnny Wier is just Johnny Wier. Was happy to see the Japanese contestants had some sequin restraint after the short program glitterathon. Anyway, quite interesting to watch all of them. And wish that i could soar like that.
The thought is laughable.
Wouldn’t it be fun? I would be too scared.
I always loved watching Michelle Kwan on ice because she looked like she was ready for a ball, except for the super short skirt, of course. A shame she never won the gold. But yay! Evan Lysecek did it! Even with the feathers, and last night with Swarovski studded snakes around his neck (what was that about? You know what this outfit needs? Snakes! Yeah! Nothing says graceful but manly like being draped in crystal snakes!) But it was better than Plushenko’s dressed-up version of the tuxedo t-shirt. Wow. And dude, a mullet in 2010? Reaaaalllly? Johnny Weir is still my favorite to watch. I can’t wait for his Lady Gaga inspired exhibition performance. He doesn’t even bother with the attempt at manly. He just wants to be fabulous.
Totally agree about the snowboarder uniforms and ski uniforms. Pajamas, and grunge. I know the snowboard-half pipe crew wants to maintain their street cred, but kids– this is the Olympics, not the lumberjack wars.
I tried to figure out those snakes, too. Not sure what the connection was to his amazing performance.
Did she see the note he taped to his mirror? Something like, ignore the detractors, focus on what you do. Wow. I need to get that mirror.