I’ve notice that even when they would seem to go better with whatever costume they’re wearing, women ice skaters never wear black skates. Why is this? And while we’re at it, why don’t male ballet dancers dance on point?
Thanks!
Here’s one answer
It’s a traditonal gender ID thing: white skates are for girls, black skates are for boys. While women can get away with wearing those beige things that blend in with their tights, white is THE color for women’s skates. Started with Sonja Henie, from what I’ve heard. Similarly, hockey skates are never white, and men’s figure skates are seldom anything but black.
Black would break up the line of the leg more, making moves look less elegant and possibly drawing attention to small mistakes. Men can wear black because they are usually wearing dark pants.
In strictly show pieces, it’s pretty common to put little spandex covers over skate boots to match the costume. Occasionally a woman will have beige boots.