Fashion on ice: Skaters land it — or not

By Andrew Harmon

Figure skating fans may thrill to the jumps and spins, but it’s the pageantry that keeps us watching. Sometimes a skater wears the costume; sometimes it’s the other way around. Here’s a snapshot of memorable (and a few forgettable) style moments in skating history.

Dick Button

Sequins? Out of the question. In the post-World War II era, Dick Button clinched two Olympic gold medals and landed the first triple jump in competition while dressed to the nines. A white mess jacket inspired by military formalwear was his trademark. Traditional tailoring had its downside, however. “We didn’t have stretch material,” Button says, “so if you didn’t have double-sewn pants, you could find yourself skating in the altogether, shall we say.”