Fashion on the Ice: The Olympic Figure Skating Costumes of 2026
- Ella Henry-Schaeffer
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
Everyone who kept up with the Olympics this year noticed that figure skating gained lots of attention. The U.S. took home the gold as Alysa Liu stood proudly on the top of the podium. Without disregarding the incredibly hard work it took for athletes to compete this season, I would like to highlight another aspect of what makes these figure skating programs so magnificent: the costumes.
Behind the Visuals of the Designs: The Background of a Costume
At the core, figure skating costumes heavily rely on the financial budget. One costume typically ranges from $1,500 to over $9,000. This doesn’t even include the top-tier skaters who are required to have a minimum of 2 custom-made costumes per season. The design of these costumes include very complex labor, consisting of 60-65% of the creation being just in the labor itself. A single dress can take 90-135 hours to complete. Figure skating designs are composed of many elements, including hand-painting, airbrushing, and manual application, like adding thousands of Swarovski crystals to just one piece.
These costumes are far more than just visually appealing designs. Designers like Mathieu Caron and Brad Griffies claim that they are "aerospace-engineered" garments. They have to be able to withstand harsh rotational forces and speed, while remaining lightweight so they won’t get in the way of the performance. For example, designers often "strip away" stones in specific patterns to ensure a dress is light enough for a skater to land a quadruple jump.
Another element to the evaluation of a figure skating performance is actually the costumes themselves. Yes, the costume is a part of the score. A "wardrobe malfunction,” such as a stone falling on the ice, can result in a one-point deduction or, worse, a safety hazard for the skater or those performing after them. Fashion Designer and former competitive skater herself, Vera Wang, noted her greatest fear is a malfunction, as a single popped seam can ruin a lifetime of work.
Storytelling Through the Fabric
Figure skating “outfits” can better be described as “costumes.” They contribute to the story of the performance. Oftentimes, these costumes embody a character from a movie, are inspired by music videos or even famous pieces of art. They can also be used to pay tribute to someone. These garments complete the music and serve as an extension of the theme.
Paul Poirier said that putting on a costume is like "inhabiting a character." His "Vincent" free dance with Piper Gilles featured costumes inspired by Van Gogh’s Starry Night, where the patterns showed the flow from his sleeves onto her dress, mimicking a painting coming to life.
The Best Figure Skating Costumes at the 2026 Winter Olympics
The 2026 Winter Games in Milan saw an amazing example of what it looks like to have high fashion on the ice, with several athletes making bold style statements. Now let’s dive into those athletes’ looks a little deeper:
Deanna Stellato-Dudek (Canada): Making history at age 42, not just for her age but for her wardrobe. She wore the first-ever figure skating costume designed by Oscar de la Renta. The dress was a hand-beaded gold dress for her short program and a shimmering red one for the free skate.
Amber Glenn (USA): Her "Like a Prayer" short program costume was a burgundy lace, off-the-shoulder dress designed by Lisa McKinnon. It featured bold chain statement necklaces and was designed to reflect a "warrior" persona.
Ilia Malinin (USA): Known for his technical skills, his costumes were created by Japanese designer Satomi Ito. His free-skate look was a "warrior" aesthetic: all-black with gold flame-like accents and blue gems.
Alysa Liu (USA): Returned to the ice in a white-to-grey ombré dress with a ruffled skirt, also designed by Lisa McKinnon, which was praised for its elegant, ethereal movement. I think a lot of us loved seeing Liu showcase her talent in this beautiful design.
Madison Chock designed costumes for many Olympians this year, including costumes for her team and 3 others. Team Spain, skated to the Dune soundtrack and wore a “hooded beige dress with textured fabric, soft draping, and a muted blue accent for a sculpted effect,” according to AOL News. It’s also noted that, “Dieck skated in a more fitted dark blue costume, reflecting an otherworldly theme for their free dance.”
Madison Chock & Evan Bates (USA): Chock showcased a dramatic matador-inspired ensemble. The red skirt doubled as a cape, serving as a functional prop within the choreography.
Wrapping up the Competition
As you can see, every Olympic figure skater involved in the Winter Games was dressed to impress. Fashion is so much more than the runway. These athletes modeled some of the best pieces I and many have seen in a while.
Written by Ella Henry-Schaeffer
Edited by Graeme Duffey
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