Leggings Your Exercise-Addicted Friends Will Love

Leggings Your Exercise-Addicted Friends Will Love

We're not sure who said leggings aren't pants, but whoever they are, we don't trust them. 

We live for tights—whether sweating it out in the gym, lounging on the couch, or hitting up brunch with our besties—and we're pretty sure your fit friends do, too. Plus, these pairs will totally pop on any Instagram feed. Scroll through now to find one (or two or three) to gift to that exercise addict in your life. You're welcome.

ICE STYLE.....ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2016: Figure Skating Costumes Recap PAIRS and ICE DANCE!

ICE STYLE.....ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2016: Figure Skating Costumes Recap PAIRS and ICE DANCE!

Pairs and Ice Dance Costume Fab: Costume Highlights from the 2016 ISU World Figure Skating Championships, Boston Massachusetts

In my last post HERE, I discussed my Figure Skating Costumes Highlights (and some not-so-cute!) of the LADIES and MEN from last week's 2016 ISU World Figure Skating Championships, which were held at the TD Garden in Boston Massachusetts...

Well, now it is time for my Costume Recap of the PAIRS and ICE DANCE!!!

Let's begin with the...

Pairs-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford of Canada: For their Short Program to Your Song by Elton John, performed by Ewan McGregor, I liked these costumes. Meagan shined with her silver sequined and red costume! It was breathtaking in terms of it's fab crystal work. Eric went for a red dress shirt with matching t-shirt underneath and black pants. I wish his look had more crystals than those buttons but oh well, I was OK with it! 

Free Skate to Hometown Glory by Adele: LOVE, Love, Love these costumes on Duhamel and Radford. The bold royal blue color, her halter jeweled sequin neckline, the gathered drape in her halter neckline...it's all sleek, chic and super! Oh, and how much do we LOVE Meagan's cheek-to-cheek smile in that photo above! Hashtag At-a-Girl #AtAGirl #GoCanada

Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov of Russia Short Program to Nagada Sang Dhol (Bollywood Selection) by Siddharth-Garima: I am a big fan of the costumes worn by Russia's Pairs Diva and Divo Volosozhar and Trankov for their "Bollywood"-inspired Short Program. Both their looks and designs are pretty much flawless. 

Free Skate to Bram Stoker's Dracula (soundtrack): For their Free Skate to "Dracula", they wore these semi-Period-like costumes in red and black. I like his faux leather pants and red velvet vest with gold trim. Her dress was elegant and a bit subdued. I appreciated the gold trim simulating a corset but maybe there should have been a sweetheart neckline somewhere in there.

Aliona Savchenko and Bruno Massot of Germany Free Skate to Sometimes by Wax Tailor: I have a theory. I think Aliona and Bruno are well...an item. It sure looks like it when they skate. Well, now that we have that out of the way, let's discuss their costumes. We know Aliona never met a Jumpsuit she did not like. Her "Pink Panther" look is iconic. This red'ish ombre look featured a heart-shaped back and sequins. His look of a mock-neck ombre top and black pants perfectly complimented hers. Overall, a very striking couple.

Nicole Della Monica and Matteo Guarise of Italy Short Program to Magnificat by Mina: Elegant and beautiful; two words to describe these costumes worn by the Italian Pairs couple of Della Monica and Guarise. I loved her gold applique, nude illusion and white costume but I also liked his semi-matching very sexy top. 

Free Skate to Cosmic Journey ("Romeo and Juliet" by Abel Korzeniowski): These costumes were basically a different color-way of what they wore for their Short program with a slight design variation. I still liked them!

Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres of France: The photos above feature their costumes for their Short Program of I Put A Spell On You by Joss Stone (top photo) and Free Skate to Romeo and Juliet (soundtrack) by Craig Armstrong, Romeo and Juliet (soundtrack) by Abel Korzeniowski, and Oh Verona (Romeo and Juliet soundtrack) by Craig Armstrong. There were elements of both which I liked. I did love the wrapped belts of the Free Skate costumes but I have to admit that I LOVE Vanessa's 80's shoulder padded black and silver sequined jumpsuit costume for her Short Program.

Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov of Russia: Russia's Stolbova and Klimov wore these costumes above for their Short program to I Put a Spell on You performed by Annie Lennox and Free Skate to Man and Shadow (The Unknown Known soundtrack) by Danny Elfman. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be the latter--from the Free Skate. And especially hers; the gray/blue gathered chiffon and strap cross-tied detail was chic and very Modern Dance fab!

Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov of Russia Free Skate to Nocturne, Prelude, and Revolutionary Etude by Frederic Chopin: I had to finish my Pairs Costumes Recap with these very nice costumes by the Russian Pairs of Tarasova and Morozov. I thought her costume was exquisite and very well done and I loved his tuxedo look and especially the music symbol detail brooch. 



Ice Dance-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje of Canada Short Dance to Waltz: The Blue Danube by Johann Strauss; Polka: Annenpolka by Johann Strauss; Waltz: The Blue Danube by Johann Strauss: I think these are probably one of my Top Favorite Ice Dance costumes of this 2015-2016 Season. I think Kaitlyn's blush and pearl sequined look is Couture Fab and Andrew looks like a Disney prince...and in a good way! Both of their costumes are elegant, haute and so gorgeous.

Free Dance to On the Nature of Daylight by Max Richter, This Bitter Earth by Dinah Washington, Run by Ludovico Einaudi: These costumes are not as great as their Short Program looks (in my eyes) but I do appreciate the ombre lilac shading and draped stylings. I have to say that in these costumes, my top pick was his and the draped top he wears. 

Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron of France Free Skate to Rain In Your Black Eyes by Ezio Bosso Build a Home by Cinematic Orchestra: I LOVE these costumes and this Ice Dance couple. The navy blue, red and black costumes are elegant, super-chic and Paris Fashion Week Runway Fab in terms of their design. Oh and did I mention how AMAZING they are in terms of their Ice Dance skate and presentation. J'Adore! 

Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue of the US Free Dance to Adagio for Strings by Daft Punk: USA's Hubbell and Donohue wore these costumes for their Free Skate to "Adagio for Strings" by Daft Punk. This was a change of costume in terms of what they had worn before. I have to admit that I loved the previous costumes more, but she still looked gorgeous and overall I love the presentation of this team.

Costume Better--Hubbell and Donohue of Canada

Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani of the USA: The Shibutani brother and sister Ice Dance team wore these costumes above for their Short Dance to Waltz: Coppelia, March: Coppelia, Waltz: Coppelia--all by Leo Delibes (top photo) and Free Dance to Fix You by Coldplay (lower photo). If I had to pick a favorite, I would say the latter. Only for its simplistic modern costume approach and design; there wasn't much there in term of creativity but it was right for the program.

Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the USA: Chock and Bates skated their Short Dance to Foxtrot: More by Andrea Bocelli; Waltz: Unchained Melody by Il Divo and Free Skate to Concerto No. 2 Adagio and Concerto No. 2 Allegro by Sergei Rachmaninov. I loved the second Free Dance costumes better than the Short Dance looks. I liked her "one shoulder" design and I especially loved his gathered/draped top; it was GORGEOUS!

Alexandra Stepanova and Ivan Bukin of Russia Free Dance to Rachmaninov's Revenge by Freddie Mercury, Montserrat Caballe: I loved these costumes worn by Russia's Stepanova and Bukin. They were modern, sleek and so sexy.

Anna Cappellini and Luca Lanotte of Italy: Cappellini
and Lanotte of Italy skated in these costumes for their Short Dance to Waltz: The Merry Widow by Franz Lehar Polka: The Merry Widow by Franz Lehar and Free Dance
to La Dolce Vita: Amarcord, Le Notti di Cabiria and Oto e
Mezzo by Nino Rota. Both looks were
quite exquisite. But I especially liked their Free Dance costumes and
particularly her black sequined dress.

Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier of Canada: Canadian Ice Dance couple Gilles and Poirier are one of my favorite Ice Dance teams in terms of costumes. They did not disappoint this season and at the 2016 Worlds. This above is what they wore for their Short Dance (top photo) to Waltz: Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds by John Lennon, Paul McCartney; March: Norwegian Wood by John Lennon, Paul McCartney; Waltz: Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da by John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Free Dance to She Said by Jorane Neverland by Takenobu. I loved both of these looks. Their Short Dance was very Beatles "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" costume fab and the Free Dance costumes were verging on late 80's/early 90's Versace HOT HOT HOT!

Thanks for reading my ICE STYLE Figure Skating 2016 Worlds RECAP! Hope you enjoyed it! XOXO

Figure Skating Costume Minute--Trophee Eric Bompard 2012--Pairs Costume Recap!

Figure Skating Costume Minute--Trophee Eric Bompard 2012--Pairs Costume Recap!

Les Pairs...

Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres of France: James and Cipres skated their Free Program to "Pearl Harbor" by Hans Zimmer. Even though these costumes had little to do with the music or theme (maybe the ocean-blue color of the costumes were hints of the Pacific Ocean?), they were actually quite lovely, lyric, fluid and beautifully executed. Her blue ombre-dyed "skirt" over illusion and solid torso, which then was detailed with many, many sequins looked exquisitely luxe. I also loved how Morgan's costume perfectly mirrored hers. And let me just say this: any guy who wears an asymmetrical side draped chiffon and v-neck top attached with very tight pants and a waistband encrusted with what looked like THOUSANDS of very expensive Swarovski crystals--and still look somewhat BUTCH...well, kids, he has my "Nick Vote" of Figure Skating FABULOUSNESS!

Peng Cheng and Zhang Hao of China: The only Chinese Paris team to compete at Trophee Eric Bompard 2012, Cheng and Hao skated their Free Program to "Poeta" by Vincente Amigo wearing these red and black costumes above. The music is Spanish Flamenco and well, so are their costumes. I think that whoever designed these could have been a little more creative. And there it is again: THE Costume Detail Figure Skating Trend of 2012--the criss-cross straps.

Daria Popova and Bruno Massot of France: This Pairs couple from France skated their Short Program to "La Belle Histoire" Sountrack, from an early 90's French film. Their costumes were contemporary and worked well together. Daria's wearing a one-shoulder beaded applique costume and Bruno has a raised v-neck featuring embroidered sequin detail. He looked HUNKY in that outfit. Like Morgan Cipres above, he was able to look hunky, while wearing sequined applique...

For their Free program to "Chocca" and "Far Away" by Apocalyptica (a 90's Finnish metal band from Helsinki--I know, Go Figure!) Popova and Masot wore these looks above. They seem a little disjointed with each other. Bruno wears a tight black crew neck t-shirt with side chest beading and Daria wears a violet-colored costume with a side cut out and silver sequins surrounding it. Just because there's beading in both does not make them harmonious together. Come on France and the French Figure Skating Federation, make the petite main of Haute Couture proud and give these kids better Free Program costumes...or at least ones that work as a pair. On a good note: once again Bruno looks HUNKY McHunky in his very tight short sleeve tee.

Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov of Russia: Russian Pairs team Stolbova and Klimov did their Free Skate to "The Addams Family" by Marc Shaiman in the red, black and white costumes above. I can see the correlation between Fedor's striped jacket and Gomez' striped jacket and Pugsley's striped crewneck tee. I do love the colorful costumes and their "theatricality" even if they look almost better suited for an Ice Dance routine. With that being said, they still look more appropriate if they were skating to...

 "Meet Me in St. Louis"

Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov of Russia: Kavaguti and Smirnov skate their Short Program to "The Blue Danube" by Johann Strauss and their Free Skate to "February" by Leonid Levashevich. In my "Cup of China 2012" blog posting, I discussed these costumes HERE. I liked them!

I thought they looked delicate and well-made and I especially enjoyed the subtle yet impressive details in hers, such as the sequined trim at her high-hips in the Short Program costume and the back sequin embroidery of her Free Skate costume (seen in the above photos). I also think Alexander looked much more "cleaned up" without the goatee. It also looks like he got a slight haircut (good idea!). Oh and yes, Congrats to them for getting the Gold for the Pairs at Trophee Eric Bompard 2012!



***Up Next: The final Trophee Eric Bompard 2012 Costume Posting...Ice Dance!

Figure Skating Costume Minute--Rostelecom Cup/Cup of Russia 2012--Pairs

Figure Skating Costume Minute--Rostelecom Cup/Cup of Russia 2012--Pairs

The Pairs--Some Fab, Some Blah...Some 80s...Some 90s...and Much More:

Top Pairs: (left to right) Silver Medalists from Russia Vera Bazarova and Yuri Larionov, Gold Medalists from
Russia Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov, and Bronze Medalists from USA
Caydee Denney and John Coughlin, ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Rostelecom Cup/Cup of Russia 2012, Megasport Sports
Center Moscow, Russia

Continuing with my Costume Recaps of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Rostelecom Cup/Cup of Russia 2012, I've discussed the MEN and then the LADIES and now, it's time for the PAIRS. Some of these costumes I have already talked about in my Skate America, Skate Canada and Cup of China blog postings but I'll still give you a quick recap of what I said of these 2012-2013 Season costumes...

Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov of Russia: Once again, these two won the Gold Medal for Pairs (they won the Gold at Skate America 2012) and in my Skate America 2012 posting, I discussed both their Short and Free Skate costumes. For their Short Program, they skated to "Love Theme from The Godfather" (top) and for their Free Skate, they skated to "Violin Muse, Partita for Violin No. 2 and Chaconne" (below
photo). Their Free Skate costumes were far more interesting. Although I
did like her Short Program deep violet halter costume with neck chains.

Illusion-less? Tatiana Volosozhar at Rostelecom Cup 2012

I also thought that her high-low dress was especially interesting because if I am not mistaken her back features little or no illusion and instead is held by a very strong elastic nude strap. I will discuss the Illusion vs. No Illusion Dilemma in Figure Skating Costumes on another posting soon!

I liked their Free Skate costumes. I felt they were much more ethereal,
exploratory--costume-wise--than their Short Program. His was especially ultra feminine. PS: it bears repeating that Maxim is a MAJOR Hottie McHottie. Seriously. Can someone tell me how you say that in Russian??

Caydee Denney and John Coughlin of USA: I also commented on Denney and Coughlin's costumes in my Skate America 2012 post HERE. Essentially, I liked both of their Short and Free Skate costumes, even though they were a bit "old school" in terms of styling, silhouettes. Nothing really modern or directional about them, but still OK. For their Short Program though, they made a slight change. Previously his costume was solid black and a SOLID bore, but....they decided to spice it up a bit and add some sequin applique across his chest. I LOVE how some of her sequins "spilled" onto his blouse-y top.Great update!

For their Free Skate, they skated to "Phantom of the Opera". Very old-school figure skating pairs costumes for sure. Safe, cute...and very "American". PS Part 2: John is another Hottie McHottie. Sorry, but...just had to add that.



Speaking of Safe...

Tiffany Vise and Don Baldwin of USA: Vise and Baldwin skated their Short Program to "Open Arms" ( the famous Journey song) by Piano Classic Players. I really love these two skaters and think they are a beatiful pair to watch. However, I am beyond bored by these costumes. This is past the point of SAFE. Her halter-neck tie-dye costume is so uninspiring. the fabric looks like it came from the End-of-the-Year fabric sale at JoAnn's. The only saving grace are the little bits of crystals but even those look like a ten year old glued them on. And handsome Don. A tuxedo. How original. Not.

Now, I know that the Journey song they skated to is a staple of weddings, especially 1980s weddings...and proms...and Jr. proms...but does that mean they need to look as if it's Last Call at someone's wedding in 1981? I guess, that's probably what they were going for, but my suggestion is to take it even further...more campy, more 80s...just Go For It!



Now, moving on to the next decade: the 90s

Nicole Della Monica (R) and Matteo Guarise of Italy: Mamma Mia Rock-and-Roll! They skated to the early 90's power ballad "Nothing Else Matters" by Metallica.

Maybe I need to retract my above comment about going "campy", because these two did and it did not work AT ALL!  Here shiny black spandex tights mixed with a checked 90's leotard is just not working. Add in his vest and T-Shirt combo and it is a bad night at the Italian Disco all the way around.

Vera Bazarova and Yuri Larionov of Russia: For their Free Skate to Music from the Spartacus soundtrack by Aram Khatchaturian. I thought these costumes were FABULOUS! They were both on-point with the movie reference yet still had "fashion" elements--such as the arm straps, gold and maroon colors and detailing. They somehow combined both the "old" Spartacus:

 Kirk Douglas in "Spartacus" (criss-cross leather harness)

As well as the New:

Australian actor Liam McIntyre of "Spartacus: Vengeance"...although, a little part of me wishes that they (OK, maybe Yuri) did more of the "new"

Paige Lawrence and Rudi Swiegers of Canada: For their Short Program to "Robin and Marian" , the music to the 1976 romantic adventure period film based on the legend of Robin Hood (of course) starring...

Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn (above)--Lawrence and Swiegers' costumes were a let-down for sure. I wish there was a little more "Period Costume" to them. She looked very "Jr. Skater 2002" and he, was (at least) slightly closer to the music and theme. I LOVED the colors of Paige's costume but the design needs to look a little more "Period Couture". There two costumes were very disjointed and seemed to not be harmonious.



I'll end on Pairs Costume Fab:

Anastasia Martiusheva and Alexei Rogonov of Russia: For their Short Program to "Cornish Rhapsody" by Hubert Bath, they wore these colorful and very "Broadway Dinner Theater Meets Carnival Cruise Figure Skating Show"-like costumes. And I loved it! Anastasia's red and silver sequined costume was very "I'm a Baton Twirler in a James Bond Film" and Alexei looked liked the STAR in the Russian version of "A Chorus Line". Very campy...but I love it! Those two things made me give them a "Nick V. Pairs Costume Star"!



*** Up Next--the final Rostelecom Cup/Cup of Russia 2012 Costume Recap--The Ice Dancers!