Skating Dresses - Adult

[amy1984]

Hi,

I'm in need of a good fitting skating dress.  I'm looking for some rec's of what other women have done - I find that a lot of the dresses are 'kid shaped' even if they fit okay and are not very flattering.  Has anyone dealt with a website/company that has done a really good job?  Have you found a ready wear brand that was more adult friendly?  I've been thinking about getting a custom through Joannie's and I think I've seen a few posts where people have gotten dresses from her, but I'm looking to put together a thread of all of our experiences with various people/companies.  If this exists, mods, please merge if appropriate!

[slcbelle]

What a great idea!  I'm struggling with the measurements of all brands.  It seems I'm super long in girth for my measurements.  I'd love to know what other women here have to say.

[Neverdull44]

Mondor in stretch velvet with a straight skirt fits me the best.

[CaraSkates]

I make skating dresses for a living so make all my own competition/practice apparel. I can't really offer brand suggestions but I can offer some tips on what I've found to flatter myself and other adults!

Things that I feel flatter an adults body:
Velvet is more forgiving then lycra. Whichever one you pick, make sure it has at least a front lining, better to have entire bodice lined. This helps smooth any lumps and bumps, especially in the midsection.
Skirts should be slightly longer in the back. This is true for any skater but especially for adults. If the skirt is the same length before you put it on your body, when you wear it, the back will look too short.
Avoid full circle skirts. Too much fullness for anyone with hips, plus they aren't in style right now. Semi circle can be very flattering if it falls at the right point on your body.
Boycut briefs are not flattering.
If you need a bra, make sure you can wear one under the dress without seeing it or have your dressmaker build one into the dress. I frequently line any mesh areas of my dresses with a matching nude lycra.

Hope that helps someone!

[amy1984]

I make skating dresses for a living so make all my own competition/practice apparel. I can't really offer brand suggestions but I can offer some tips on what I've found to flatter myself and other adults!

Things that I feel flatter an adults body:
Velvet is more forgiving then lycra. Whichever one you pick, make sure it has at least a front lining, better to have entire bodice lined. This helps smooth any lumps and bumps, especially in the midsection.
Skirts should be slightly longer in the back. This is true for any skater but especially for adults. If the skirt is the same length before you put it on your body, when you wear it, the back will look too short.
Avoid full circle skirts. Too much fullness for anyone with hips, plus they aren't in style right now. Semi circle can be very flattering if it falls at the right point on your body.
Boycut briefs are not flattering.
If you need a bra, make sure you can wear one under the dress without seeing it or have your dressmaker build one into the dress. I frequently line any mesh areas of my dresses with a matching nude lycra.

Hope that helps someone!

Thanks!  Lots of useful info!

[MsVAsk8ter]

I really like Sharene Skatewear for dresses.  They fit really well, and are affordable if you stone them yourself.  I have a few custom made dresses and Sharene's fit me just as well.  I have one Del Arbour dress--it's super short and not that comfy, I think it's more geared towards kids bodies.  My sister also skates and really likes Carrie Jones, they have a fit check system where you try on a test dress for size before purchasing your dress.  My skating friends also have Brad Griffies dresses that seem to fit well.   Also check with the skaters at your rink if they know any local dressmakers.  We have a lady that does a lot of the dresses for the kids at the rink, they are gorgeous and MUCH cheaper than a custom dress from some of the other big names (listed below under Custom dressmakers).  Happy shopping!  I've listed the websites below.

Off the Rack Dresses
www.shareneskatewear.com
www.delarbour.com
http://www.figureskatingdress.com/
http://www.bradgriffies.com
http://www.usicewear.com/

Some other skating dress sites:[/b]
http://figureskates.discountskatewear.com/s-4-dresses.aspx

Custom dressmakers:
http://www.russianiceskate.com/
http://www.patpearsall.com/

[amy1984]

I really like Sharene Skatewear for dresses.  They fit really well, and are affordable if you stone them yourself.  I have a few custom made dresses and Sharene's fit me just as well.  I have one Del Arbour dress--it's super short and not that comfy, I think it's more geared towards kids bodies.  My sister also skates and really likes Carrie Jones, they have a fit check system where you try on a test dress for size before purchasing your dress.  My skating friends also have Brad Griffies dresses that seem to fit well.   Also check with the skaters at your rink if they know any local dressmakers.  We have a lady that does a lot of the dresses for the kids at the rink, they are gorgeous and MUCH cheaper than a custom dress from some of the other big names (listed below under Custom dressmakers).  Happy shopping!  I've listed the websites below.

Off the Rack Dresses
www.shareneskatewear.com
www.delarbour.com
http://www.figureskatingdress.com/
http://www.bradgriffies.com
http://www.usicewear.com/

Some other skating dress sites:[/b]
http://figureskates.discountskatewear.com/s-4-dresses.aspx

Custom dressmakers:
http://www.russianiceskate.com/
http://www.patpearsall.com/

Wow!  Thanks for all the info! 

[blue111moon]

Several of the adults in my area like Freida B. but I find the styles too boxy for my body.

http://www.freidab.com

[slcbelle]

Several of the adults in my area like Freida B. but I find the styles too boxy for my body.

http://www.freidab.com

I've never seen this site before and I like the styles for practice dresses.  But, what's up with the sizing? It's described as  "equivalent to non-skating apparel" (4, 6-8. 10-12, 14-16, and 18-20).  No girth, waist, hip, or bust?  How does that work?

[amy1984]

I've never seen this site before and I like the styles for practice dresses.  But, what's up with the sizing? It's described as  "equivalent to non-skating apparel" (4, 6-8. 10-12, 14-16, and 18-20).  No girth, waist, hip, or bust?  How does that work?

Huh.  I'm a little confused as well as we all know that sizes fluctuate depending on where you shop...

[slcbelle]

Huh.  I'm a little confused as well as we all know that sizes fluctuate depending on where you shop...

Exactly. 

[blue111moon]

Everyone I know who has bought Freida B. outfits says they run by normal street clothing size and have been happy because more people know their clothing size than their measurements.  But I expect that if you call the shop, they can tell you where your measurements would put you size-wise.  They do custom work as well. 

But like I said, I don't particularly care for the basic cut of the styles (I think it's the placement of the skirt line) so I've never bothered figuring out where I'd be on their chart.

[amy1984]

Everyone I know who has bought Freida B. outfits says they run by normal street clothing size and have been happy because more people know their clothing size than their measurements.  But I expect that if you call the shop, they can tell you where your measurements would put you size-wise.  They do custom work as well. 

But like I said, I don't particularly care for the basic cut of the styles (I think it's the placement of the skirt line) so I've never bothered figuring out where I'd be on their chart.

Some of the dresses look really pretty so it's another place to consider.  Thanks for the info!

[Mainiac159]

My one and only skating dress is a dance dress from Freida B.   It's the "Michelle" bodice and sleeve, burgundy in color, velvet on the top, sheer on the bottom with a regular dance skirt, shorter in front and longer in back.   I bought it about 8 years ago, and I still get compliments on it.   

I drove four hours to "Frieda's" shop and tried on many styles.   She may have measured me, I can't really remember.    But she took one look at me and  knew I was a M top, L bottom and T girth.   The dress fits like a glove.   

She will make a dress out of any top and any skirt of your choice.   She'll also add any dance skirt to any freestyle bodice.   

I plan to buy another dress from her for Adult Nationals.   : )

[slcbelle]

My one and only skating dress is a dance dress from Freida B.   It's the "Michelle" bodice and sleeve, burgundy in color, velvet on the top, sheer on the bottom with a regular dance skirt, shorter in front and longer in back.   I bought it about 8 years ago, and I still get compliments on it.   

I drove four hours to "Frieda's" shop and tried on many styles.   She may have measured me, I can't really remember.    But she took one look at me and  knew I was a M top, L bottom and T girth.   The dress fits like a glove.   

They are pretty!  I'd be a combo size as well.  :-)  Good to know she'll make them as such.

[Lola]

I found this thread while looking for info on skate dresses. I'm looking at the Carrie Jones site and want to know what the difference is between a freestyle skirt and an adult freestyle skirt. Anyone? 

I'll just call over there if we come up empty here.