We hit the 2025 World Figure Skating Championships in Boston last week and we have the full report on the podcast! What trouble could I possibly get into in one venue in a city I know? Well, I met Eteri Tutberidze.
Figure skating means it is time for a fashion review! Just like when I talk about opening ceremonies and closing ceremonies uniforms, I have opinions. Let’s focus on the rhythm dance portion of the ice dance competition.
What’s A Rhythm Dance?
The rhythm dance is the shorter of the two programs for ice dance. Each season, the International Skating Union (ISU) assigns a “rhythm” or type of dance to be the basis for the programs. In days past, the ISU chose dances like tango or waltz. Now the ISU allows more freedom of expression and creativity. This year, the rhythm dance should be based on “social dances of the 1950s, 60s, or 70s.”
Part of ice dance is creating a total program where music, choreography, and costume creates a complete picture. And boy, did some of these skaters create a picture.
Best Dressed of the Night
Let’s start with the highest of the highs: Brits Phebe Bekker and James Hernandez skated to a medley of Beatles hits. Not only was her sequins flower mod-style dress absolutely stunning (the entire dress is sequins!), Phebe went ALL IN with beehive hairdo, heavy eyeliner, choker, and big white earrings.
Phebe Bekker and James Hernandez are mod, baby! ©International Skating Union (ISU)
I got to tell Phebe that she was my best dressed and she wanted to know who decides that. ME! She also confessed that the earring could be a challenge, smacking her in the face when she spins. Now that is commitment to a look!
Dance Clothes Through the Decades
Most of the programs at the World Championships focused on a single decade and the fashion fit the bill. Skaters paired Elvis Presley music with fluffy skirts, gloves, ponytails, and pearls. Colored layers under the skirt made for particularly beautiful spins. Do gloves make it easier or more difficult to hold hands?
Grace Kelly look-alike Alicia Fabbri with partner Paul Ayer of Canada, ©International Skating Union (ISU)
Utana Yoshida and Masaya Morita of Japan, ©International Skating Union (ISU)
Mod fashion and new arrangements of familiar Beatles tunes featured in the sixties numbers. More gloves! What is with all the gloves?
Lurch and Audrey Hepburn? No! Zoe Larson and Andrii Kapran of Ukraine skate to music from Sweet Charity, ©International Skating Union (ISU)
A Mondrian painting come to life: Elizabeth Tkachenko and Alexei Kiliakov of Israel, ©International Skating Union (ISU)
If it is the 1970s, it must be disco. We got beads, bangles, fringe, tight pants (how can you skate in pants that tight?), lots of Donna Summer and two programs featuring “YMCA.” Lilah Fear added the perfect disco hoop earrings to an era-accurate halter neckline.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 28: Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson of Great Britain perform during ISU World Figure Skating Championships – Boston, at TD Garden, on March 28, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun – International Skating Union/International Skating Union via Getty Images)
Despite that amazing leisure suit and collar as wide as the open sky, Lewis Gibson needed to give us more. That shirt is buttoned too high. Where is the chest hair?
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 28: Olivia Smart and Tim Dieck of Spain perform during ISU World Figure Skating Championships – Boston, at TD Garden, on March 28, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun – International Skating Union/International Skating Union via Getty Images)
Oh there it is, and porn stache to match! Thanks Tim Dieck. Once again, how does he skate in pants that tight?
Olivia Smart shows off another trend: stretch velvet. When was the last time you saw someone wear stretch velvet? So much stretch velvet. James Hernandez (see above) went with stretch velvet, as did Shane Firius. Irish Austin Powers, anyone?
Carolane Soucisse and Shane Firius of Ireland, ©International Skating Union (ISU)
The real fun happens when skaters try something a little different.
Barbie Girls in a Barbie World
We got two Original Barbies, though one partner looks like Allan…
Gina Zehnder and Beda Leon Zehnder of Switzerland, ©International Skating Union (ISU)
…and the other is dressed for Monster High.
Katarina Delcamp and Berk Akalin from Turkey, ©International Skating Union (ISU)
Superish Heroes
We got disco Wonder Woman…
Angelina Kudryavtseva and Ilia Karankevich from Cyprus, ©International Skating Union (ISU)
… and a poorly fitted Spider Woman and Batman.
Milla Ruud Reitan and Nikolaj Majorov of Sweden, ©International Skating Union (ISU)
Beach Blanket Barbeque
In a Beach Boys-themed number, Canadian champion Piper Gilles is a California Dream in that striped swimsuit and sarong, but why is her partner Paul Poirier dressed as Where’s Waldo Wears Mustard?
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 28: Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier of Canada perform during ISU World Figure Skating Championships – Boston, at TD Garden, on March 28, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun – International Skating Union/International Skating Union via Getty Images)
I know they are from Finland, but did he need to wear a shirt made of fishing net?
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 28: Yuka Orihara and Juho Pirinen of Finland perform during ISU World Figure Skating Championships – Boston, at TD Garden, on March 28, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun – International Skating Union/International Skating Union via Getty Images)
More hot pink too!
Roller Boogie
Some couples tried to bring back the heady days of roller disco. Oooh, hot pants!
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 28: Evgeniia Lopareva and Geoffrey Brissaud of France perform during ISU World Figure Skating Championships – Boston, at TD Garden, on March 28, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun – International Skating Union/International Skating Union via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 28: Natalie Taschlerova and Filip Taschler of Czechia perform during ISU World Figure Skating Championships – Boston, at TD Garden, on March 28, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun – International Skating Union/International Skating Union via Getty Images)
Don’t you think the brother-sister team look a little too 1980s for Donna Summer? Allison Reed and especially Saulius Ambrulevicius from Lithuania also are a little too 80s with that neon pink lycra halter and leopard tank top. Screams heavy metal hair band.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 28: Allison Reed and Saulius Ambrulevicius of Lithuania perform during ISU World Figure Skating Championships – Boston, at TD Garden, on March 28, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun – International Skating Union/International Skating Union via Getty Images)
Outfits That Twizzled Off the Deep End
These two are Italian. ITALIAN. Not sure if they were trying to evoke weekend bowling league, Catholic school uniform, or hoochie hoedown.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 28: Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri of Italy perform during ISU World Figure Skating Championships – Boston, at TD Garden, on March 28, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun – International Skating Union/International Skating Union via Getty Images)
But no one quite made as many fashion faux pas as Germans Jennifer Janse van Rensburg and Benjamin Steffan.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 28: Jennifer Janse Van Rensburg and Benjamin Steffan of Germany perform during ISU World Figure Skating Championships – Boston, at TD Garden, on March 28, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun – International Skating Union/International Skating Union via Getty Images)
Blinding hot pink clashing with bright red? Check. Unflattering waste management worker pantsuit? Check. Tight pants? Double check, yikes. What era is this? Who knows! They skated a charming program to “Boogie Shoes” (1975) and “Land of 1000 Dances” (1966), but his tie under his shirt gave me hives.
Of course, skating is so much more than costumes and these skaters are the best ice dancers in the world. Did I enjoy the competition and everything these amazing skaters created? Oh yes, every second. All I managed to put together at the competition was a sweater and a pair of jeans, so I know my place in fashion history.
What can we look forward to at Milan-Cortina 2026?
The ISU just announced that next season’s rhythm dance theme is the 1990s. Oh boy, Rhythm Is a Dancer.
Take a listen to our full recap of the 2025 World Figure Skating Championships with behind the scenes stories and adventures!