Nick Verreos Rates the Figure Skating Costumes: U.S. Nationals 2011--The Men & my UniversalSports.com Figure Skating Blog!

Oh Boy!

Le Men: (Left to Right) Richard Dornbush, Gold Medalist Ryan Bradley, Ross Miner and Jeremy Abbott, 2011 U.S. Figure Skating Championships

Last week, the 2011 U.S Figure Skating Championships occurred in Greensboro, North Carolina and I talked about the Ladies, Pairs and Ice Dance Costumes HERE--but I didn't want to leave the Men behind...So now, here goes MY MEN...well, my "Nick V. Figure Skating Costumes Two Cents" on what the top competing men wore.

Let's begin with two-time U.S. National Champion Jeremy Abbott:

Jeremy Abbott: Short Program

For his Short Program, Jeremy Abbott skated to "Viejos Aires"--a Tango. I like seeing the non-vest-and-pin-striped-trouser Jeremy so it's "refreshing" when he does this "costumey" short program. There's a little "Victor/Victoria"--or is it "Victor/Victor" element to it with the half vest/half jacket look but, it works. I also love that he really embraces the entire ensemble--from head to toe--and even slicks his hair in an intense manner, to match the intensity of the sequined black and white costume as well as the powerful Tango program.

Jeremy Abbott: Long Program

For his Long Program, he skates to "Life Is Beautiful" and yes, it's a little yawn-inducing but I like the subtle sequins in the plaid vest and I have to concur that for that music, the costume works. I guess the Fashion Designer in me would love to see...well, a little more but I understand what he was going for.

Richard Dornbush: 2011 US National Silver Medalist

Richard skated to "Sherlock Holmes" and his costume reflected this: The ubiquitous vest (this is really THE staple go-to piece for Male Figure Skaters!). I liked the tie, and the contrasting patterns. He's young and anything more flashy would not be right. Thank Goodness, the sleeves were fitted and modern as opposed to some big ol' Leg-o'Mutton Blouson Sleeves he could have gone with. He had a PHENOMENAL night, so really everything else is just secondary!

Ross Miner: 2011 US National Bronze Medalist

Ross skated (beautifully I might add--one of my favorites!) to "Casablanca" and honestly this was a definite yawn of a costume. I don't want him to look like a Moroccan Souk Rug Salesman, but I also don't like him looking like part of the Catering team at someone's Bar Mitzvah! Although he did accent the crisp white shirt with some fabulous cuff links, I really want him to spice it up next time (costume wise)...just a little bit!

Keegan Messing: Long Program

OK, now here's someone who tried to "spice it up", but it didn't work. Poor Keegan. He skated to "The Hulk" but his costume was more Cirque Du Soleil...on a budget! It failed on all levels. It looks as if he went to "Hollywood Toys and Costume" on Hollywood Blvd. and bought a costume in a bag. And then decided to wear it...to the U.S. Nationals! The top did not go with the pants and that brown (?) belt with the silver diamante buckle further dumbfounded me.

But now...

Ryan Bradley: 2011 US Nationals Gold Medalist

Ryan won the Gold and became the "Comeback Kid" of the 2011 U.S. Nationals! I absolutely ADORE him! He is my new secret crush! (well, not so secret now). He could wear a Garbage Bag as a costume and I would be like "You Go Ryan!". For his Long Program, he skated to an "Amadeus/Mozart Medley" wearing a ruffled neckline blouse, fitted jacket/brocade vest and very fitted pants. It was "Amadeus: The Hot Calendar Guy" version! I, personally, would have taken this look even further and been even more playful giving him a real foppish quality to his costume, but like I said, he can do no wrong in my book!

Ryan Bradley: Short Program

Now, speaking of HOT: Ryan Bradley in his "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" ensemble, which he wore when he brought the house down skating to his Short Program. This was my FAVORITE costume for ALL the men skaters! Now THIS is how you do ARMY. If this is what the Recruits/ROTC would have dressed like in high school...huney, then I might have skipped UCLA and my Fashion Design studies and signed up!

Boogie Woogie Ryan

Ryan gets my "At-a-Boy Nick Verreos Figure Skating Costume Fashion Gold Medal" of the 2011 U.S. Nationals for this fabulous sexy yet still somewhat traditional, but still "campy" (in it's own very TIGHT stretch woven fabric sort of way). I'm sure lots of girls in the audience wanted to put on a 40's snood, a fitted jacket and A-line skirt and do the Boogie Woogie with him after they saw this! Thank you Ryan for "bringing it"--in your wonderful skating, as well as in your costumes!


For My Complete "Fashion Review" of the US Figure Skating Nationals: Go to Universal Sports and UniversalSports.com "Go Figure" Blog and Photo Slide Show of my "Figure Skating Fashion Two Cents", Click HERE and HERE!

Nick Verreos Rates the Figure Skating Costumes: U.S. Nationals 2011

Color On The Ice!

Twizzle Fire: Ice Dancers Meryl David and Charlie White

The 2011 U.S. Figure Skating Championships--"The US Nationals"-- in Greensboro North Carolina began last Saturday and ended today. This is the "Miss USA" (of course, I had to give a "Beauty Pageant" analogy!) of Figure Skating. The top winners (usually the top 2 or 3) go on to represent the USA at The World Figure Skating Championships--"The Worlds"-- in Tokyo Japan this March. So, of course, you all know what that means: Time to Rate the Costumes...

Here are my "Nick Verreos Highlights" from the pairs, dance and ladies competition:

Ice Pairs Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED Evora and Ladwig's costumes. The bright violet colors were eye-catching and stunning. the Swarovski crystals were nothing short of spectacular. I loved how there were heavier stones on the asymmetrical neckline of her costumes and it was genius to use same-color-as-the-top stones for him. I also liked his old-school "retro" costume and the use of the Blouson top with the black pants. Whoever they are consulting in the creations of these costumes, keep doing it! They get an A+ in my book!

Ice Pairs Caitlin Yankowskas and John Coughlin

Yankowskas and Coughlin earned their first ever Pairs Title mesmerizing the sold-out crowd with a powerful "Ave Maria" program. I thought their costumes were perfect: Angelic, sublime and just right to correspond with the music. They looked as if they were skating on clouds with "Figure Skating" angels guiding them through. I especially liked Caitlin's mock-neck ivory beaded costume with illusion shoulders and sleeves. Along with her severe yet elegant blond hair, she almost reminded me of a Russian Ladies Figure Skating Doll!

Ice Dancers Meryl Davis and Charlie White

Davis and White won their third straight ice dance title easily. Their program--a Tango Medley--was strong, filled with emotion and scissor sharp! In terms of costumes, Meryl Davis switched hers from the costume she wore previously to this program.

Before, it was an asymmetrical deep wine colored beaded dress and now, she went for BOLD, FIRE Red and intense! I think it was a good choice to switch. Their costumes needed a bit of a costume "pop" for such a fiery Tango program and this new costume certainly delivered. I do think, however, that it looked a bit "overdone" in terms of the diamante trim and the embroidered lace beading. It look a bit "cheap prom dress"--just a teeny bit. Overall though, I was happy for the change.

Rachael Flatt

Rachael Flatt also changed her costume and WOW! What a smart little cookie she is: That color is just EXACTLY what she needed to give life, emotion and WAKE everyone up to her beautiful skating and performance. I am IN LOVE with this neon canary yellow. In Love. Personally, I don't think she need the long sleeves and maybe should have opted for a variation of short sleeve style or just sleeveless. But on the whole: Ten Points Miss Rachael!

Ashley Wagner

Ashley Wagner decided to go very elegant and "Red Carpet Safe" with this black all-over sequined costume. What I though was unusual about it was the fact that there was no mesh-illusion on it (a staple of most figure skating costumes). The strong black color made a great contrast against her porcelain skin, making her look like a John Singer Sargent Painting...on the ice!

Alissa Czisny

I was a big fan of Alissa's asymmetrical ruffled dress late last year when she debuted it on the Grand Prix Finals, where she took the top prize. And I still like it now. The watercolor Degrade shadings, the cascade ruffle detail; it's modern, directional and stands out in a sea of traditional looking sequin-and-illusion costumes. The costume worked at the Grand Prix Finals and it worked now because she--again--took the top prize.

Go on Alissa!