Hand in glove
February 16, 2010 5:23 PM Subscribe
Why do male figure skaters wear gloves?
I'm watching the Olympics, and just noticed that many of the male figure skaters competing in the individual events wear gloves. By contrast, the women never seem to wear gloves. Why?
I'm watching the Olympics, and just noticed that many of the male figure skaters competing in the individual events wear gloves. By contrast, the women never seem to wear gloves. Why?
Actually, so far I don't think any of the pairs men have been wearing gloves, but all the singles men so far tonight have been. I think gloves would be extra-slippery on the rayony women's costumes. I don't remember this always being the case, I wonder if it's just currently fashionable to make the hands extra-visible/dramatic with gloves.
posted by Lyn Never at 5:32 PM on February 16, 2010
posted by Lyn Never at 5:32 PM on February 16, 2010
For men it probably wouldn't seem out of place with their long sleeved costumes, while for women it would probably ruin their image.
As to why they're wearing the gloves, supposedly having warm hands improves concentration. One of my (slightly eccentric) friends wears gloves while playing soccer matches, even in 70 degree weather (I think his mom made him stop though).
posted by kylej at 5:58 PM on February 16, 2010
As to why they're wearing the gloves, supposedly having warm hands improves concentration. One of my (slightly eccentric) friends wears gloves while playing soccer matches, even in 70 degree weather (I think his mom made him stop though).
posted by kylej at 5:58 PM on February 16, 2010
Having figure skated competitively, and watched figure skating for many years, I have determined this to be a distinctly European phenomenon. Except for maybe Jonny Weir. As far as I can tell it's for artistic/dramatic effect - it doesn't affect physical performance.
posted by just_ducky at 6:19 PM on February 16, 2010
posted by just_ducky at 6:19 PM on February 16, 2010
Best answer: A friend who was a competitive figure skater tells me its done "to lengthen and complete the line of the arm."
posted by anastasiav at 7:34 PM on February 16, 2010
posted by anastasiav at 7:34 PM on February 16, 2010
Best answer: Another former competitive skater here.
It's just a costuming thing. Believe me, when you are in the middle of your program, you are not thinking about whether or not your hands are cold.
posted by anderjen at 8:03 PM on February 16, 2010
It's just a costuming thing. Believe me, when you are in the middle of your program, you are not thinking about whether or not your hands are cold.
posted by anderjen at 8:03 PM on February 16, 2010
The one guy with the short-sleeved costume wasn't wearing gloves, IIRC, which would support the answer that it's for costume reasons.
posted by ishotjr at 8:20 PM on February 16, 2010
posted by ishotjr at 8:20 PM on February 16, 2010
The monochromatic long-sleeves-plus-gloves combination elongates the appearance of their arms, which makes their motions more legible from the stands.
posted by carmicha at 9:29 PM on February 16, 2010
posted by carmicha at 9:29 PM on February 16, 2010
(threadjack) And why do the women all wear tights? They're flesh colored, why not just show your flesh?
posted by jpeacock at 12:02 AM on February 17, 2010
posted by jpeacock at 12:02 AM on February 17, 2010
jpeacock: cause skating rinks are cold? And they cover up any scars? So they don't accidentally flash a wedgie?
posted by nursegracer at 12:22 AM on February 17, 2010
posted by nursegracer at 12:22 AM on February 17, 2010
And why do the women all wear tights? They're flesh colored, why not just show your flesh?
The other day I was at a dance rehearsal where the performers had to wear leotards. There were some performers who had never performed on stage before, and one of them said "I feel naked like this, can I wear skin-coloured tights?"
It struck me as a bit odd that someone would feel less naked when no outside observer would know they were any less naked. Wearing tights to seemed to make her feel better, though.
Also, it was cold in some places backstage, and all their practice had been done wearing tights. I can believe it's pretty cold in ice rinks too!
posted by Mike1024 at 12:29 AM on February 17, 2010
The other day I was at a dance rehearsal where the performers had to wear leotards. There were some performers who had never performed on stage before, and one of them said "I feel naked like this, can I wear skin-coloured tights?"
It struck me as a bit odd that someone would feel less naked when no outside observer would know they were any less naked. Wearing tights to seemed to make her feel better, though.
Also, it was cold in some places backstage, and all their practice had been done wearing tights. I can believe it's pretty cold in ice rinks too!
posted by Mike1024 at 12:29 AM on February 17, 2010
Tights are actually required by ISU regulations. Surya Bonaly was often observed to ignore the tights rule back in the day.
Ever fallen on a rink at high speed? You do not want to do that without tights on. Cue ice burn. Tights help a little with warmth (though while you are skating an ice rink can feel very very warm), but more with helping you when you fall.
The trend of having tights that extend over the boots is a newer one though, and one that took me a long while to like!
posted by wingless_angel at 1:02 AM on February 17, 2010
Ever fallen on a rink at high speed? You do not want to do that without tights on. Cue ice burn. Tights help a little with warmth (though while you are skating an ice rink can feel very very warm), but more with helping you when you fall.
The trend of having tights that extend over the boots is a newer one though, and one that took me a long while to like!
posted by wingless_angel at 1:02 AM on February 17, 2010
supposedly having warm hands improves concentration
What? Any support for this, or is it just a "they say" sort of thing?
posted by Cogito at 1:40 PM on February 17, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Bardolph at 5:26 PM on February 16, 2010