What Attire Should Adults Wear for Figure Skating Tests?

if its anything like ove in the UK you should be able to get away with black pants and a tee-shirt with a warm up jacket. judges dont mind adults not being in dresses but something tight is better so they can still see you lines

I’m an overweight adult skater and have worn tights and a skating skirt, leggings and skirt, leggings and long tops, and even (god help me, i was forced into it for shows!) sparkly silver leggings!!!

Sparkly silver leggings aside, it’s about being comfortable, but also allowing the coach and/or judges to see the lines of your body position while you skate. They’re not judging our weight (I hope! I haven’t tested with external judges yet, but its on the cards soon!) but our skating.

Ice dancers wear longer skirts than free skaters, if that helps lol!

so it is you, thought it was
im bezlewis (icebethy)

Black is always good for lines. Black skating pants and a fitted skating jacket work well. For moves IceCoach2 says that jackets and gloves are acceptable because the skater is not really out there for long enough to get warm, and the judges want you to be comfortable.

Though pricey, Underarmour has longsleeve black cold wear shirts with mock turtle necks if you don’t want to wear a jacket or if you get warm pretty quickly.

I’d say not to wear a dress if you are not comfortable. If you are not comfortable, then that is one more thing that you have to worry about when you should concentrate on your skating. You wouldn’t catch me dead in one of those things…unless they put me in it for my funeral as a joke…

I tested over the summer. I am 29 years old. I wore a plain velvet black halter dress (no rhinestones or sequins)from SekuSkatewear. However at my test session they allowed jackets, so I wore a fitted black jacket over my dress. I wore the Define Jacket by Lululemon which has a nice shape and wasn’t bulky. I had my hair up in a simple bun. I think for adults, staying in one color is good to show off the lines. I’m not sure if any test rinks (I only tested in one) don’t allow jackets, but they might be more lax about the dress code for adults.

USFS changed their “costume” sometime in the last year or so, to allow ladies/women to wear pants/unitards in competition and test sessions wouldn’t be any different. No one is required to wear a dress anymore for anything if they choose not to. That being said, your coach may feel you should wear a dress as that is historically what ladies have worn and most judges like to see the skating knees when you are testing and competing to watch for the rise and fall on elements in addition to the free leg extension (especially on spirals). I personally prefer well cut and nicely fitting dresses over unitards with my “mature” figure. (TOI requires all skaters wear an all black unitard for CE, so I can’t avoid it completely, but certainly prefer to not volunteer to wear one.) Pants and a nice sweater should be fine, but check with your coach, because he/she will have experience with the judges in your area you are likely to encounter during your test session. And, although what you wear shouldn’t play into whether you pass or fail, you don’t want to give the judges an excuse to not pass you

I’m a judge and all I want is for the skater to be comfortable and warm enough. I’ve told shivering kids in spaghetti strap dresses to put their sweater on before starting a moves test because nobody can skate well if they are freezing. For an adult (or kid for that matter), pants and a sweater or jacket are fine. They don’t need to be form fitting but shouldn’t be too bulky so that I can see what your body is doing. Neat and clean hair and skates polished are also important. Gloves are fine. Present a polished appearance but be comfortable enough to skate your best, and you will be fine. Black is always flattering although I certainly don’t mind some color if you feel better wearing it. In some cases black is not the best option – for example, an international dance test in the Latin category probably deserves a bright color – but in most cases black or a dark color is a safe choice that won’t detract from your skating.

OK, me again, not as a judge but as a skater who still tests international dances. Just for fun, try on a black leotard, black tights, and dance-length wrap skirt on at your local dance store. You might be surprised at how flattering that look is on a “mature” body. As you skate more, your body may change and you could become more adventurous in your costume choices. And if you end up ice dancing you might want to test in a skirt (but you don’t have to).

Keep up the skating!

THANKS! My skater’s coach confirmed that I could wear fitting pants and a shirt or jacket. That made me much happier! I have a ways to go yet… but I am happy I won’t have to sport a skirt or dress.

I think that for adults the most important thing is to be comfortable but to also allow the judges to see body position. For lower level tests exercise pants and a fitted sweater should be fine. As many have recommended, I would go with black pants and a darker one-color sweater. I would recommend having hair and make up done though. That way you look pulled together, but relaxed (even if you don’t feel it!). Even for the lower level dance tests this would be fine. However, in my area people at the higher test levels tend to wear dresses/costumes for the tests. Most people wear simple but nice practice costumes for middle-level tests, and old competition dresses for the highest level tests. I have judged a few high level testers wearing tank tops, fitted t-shirts, and holey tights, and it just looks sloppy. Of course, I judged based on the skating not on the dressing but in my experience if you feel good about what you are wearing you will stand up a little straighter and try to present yourself a little better, which goes a long way to doing better in moves and dance. So most important feel comfortable and confident about your appearance so you can focus on skating and not worry about looking ridiculous next to a five year old.

I’m an adult skater, too, and I am not a Barbie doll. In fact, I’m quite heavy. I do wear dresses to my tests. My suggestion would be that you try an ice dancing dress since the hems are longer and more forgiving to large thighs and bahookie’s. Both of my dresses are 2nd hand Six-O dresses that I found on Ebay – one was under $20 with shipping! Be patient and one will eventually show up.

I also trial judge and have listened to what judges say about the attire. In a nutshell: it’s between you and your coach.

Generally, judges aren’t as concerned about what you wear as they are with how you skate. Since a lot of judges are adult skaters, they are often understanding of adult skaters who aren’t comfortable wearing a dress. As long as you put some effort into looking nice – no rips, tears, stains, etc., you should be fine.

Target sells has a similar mock turtle neck shirt for $20 http://www.target.com/Champion-Cold-Weather-Mock-Pullover-Top/dp/B003SYOL8W/ref=sc_qi_detaillink

Thanks! I would absolutely wear nice clothing and appear neat and tidy. Definately nothing with holes or stains. I don’t like to practice in clothing like that, let alone test! I will say, the exception is my daughter’s over the boot tights. They have gotten holes in them and I allow her to wear them for or tests or competitions, she wears good tights.

I spoke to my skating coach about this last season… I’m not opposed to dresses… I’m still in my 2o’s and although I wouldn’t CHOOSE to prance around in a skating dress, I’d wear one if I had to… but she mentioned that many adults test in nice yoga/athletic wear. ie: a good fitting, new, yoga tank/long sleeved shirt or similar as long as it’s fitted and has some stretch (this is NOT your running t-shirt, ladies. something nice!) and nice, clean, new yoga pants/tights (same rules as for the shirt… something nice!).

I live in Canada, so I’m not sure if this is acceptable everywhere… But I’d suspect that as long as the judges can see your legs and your line, you’re fine.

I’d suggest going shopping and treating yourself to something nice that you find comfortable. This might not be cheap (lulu lemon makes me go into shock at the till), but the confidence you’ll have will be well worth it

I spoke to my skating coach about this last season… I’m not opposed to dresses… I’m still in my 2o’s and although I wouldn’t CHOOSE to prance around in a skating dress, I’d wear one if I had to… but she mentioned that many adults test in nice yoga/athletic wear. ie: a good fitting, new, yoga tank/long sleeved shirt or similar as long as it’s fitted and has some stretch (this is NOT your running t-shirt, ladies. something nice!) and nice, clean, new yoga pants/tights (same rules as for the shirt… something nice!).

I live in Canada, so I’m not sure if this is acceptable everywhere… But I’d suspect that as long as the judges can see your legs and your line, you’re fine.

I’d suggest going shopping and treating yourself to something nice that you find comfortable. This might not be cheap (lulu lemon makes me go into shock at the till), but the confidence you’ll have will be well worth it

I totally understand about the over the boot tights! They rip so easily (especially the boot area). I use ones with holes and runs for practice but try to use good ones for competition. Sometimes they rip when you put them on though, which is annoying. I have seen people use clear nail polish to try to stop the runs, and it seems to work pretty well, at least for the length of a competition or test. I also try to wear boot covers under the tights so the lace hooks don’t rip holes in the tights as much (they still do, but not quite as fast or as easily).

Best tip about over-the-boot tights: use fabric band-aids to cover runs or holes, at least for competitions.

I didn’t come up with it; a commenter long ago did, bless her.

Great question. I always wondered the same thing. I’m an adult skater who tests. When I started skating a few years ago, my coach and I talked to a dress maker at the arena about getting a skirt made. It is black, plain and simple and longer (more of a dance style) which makes it forgiving. If I am testing skills I wear a warm-up jacket with it (also black). Otherwise, I have an orange turtle neck that I usually wear. For my next freeskate solo, I’ll probably look for something this, but definitely function over fancy.

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What Attire Should Adults Wear for Figure Skating Tests?

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