Men’s best “theatrical” figure skating costumes of 2025–26
Fans vote for the top three most “theatrical” men’s costumes of the 2025-26 figure skating season.
Top 3 Most Theatrical Men’s Figure Skating Costumes of the 2025–26 Season (Fan Vote)
In men’s figure skating, fans voted to crown the best theatrical costumes of the 2025–26 season—and a costume is never just decoration. It reflects the character, shapes how the music is interpreted, and must still function as high-performance athletic wear for elements like the jumps, spins and step sequences.
During the 2025–26 season, men’s costumes reached a new level of theatrical storytelling, with skaters embracing bolder concepts, richer textures, and more expressive designs. Fans began to highlight performances that felt fully realized—not just technically strong, but complete in character and presentation.
These standout looks proved that the most theatrical moments on the ice begin long before the first jump—and linger long after the final pose.
Based on fan voting, these were the most theatrical figure skating men’s costumes of the 2025–26 season.
- Mikhail Shaidorov
- Ilia Malinin
- Adam Siao Him Fa
In this context, “theatrical” refers to costumes that elevate performance through bold design, strong character, and compelling storytelling on the ice.
Mikhail Shaidorov: Panda Playfulness and Theatrical Bravery
Kazakhstan’s Shaidorov delivered one of the season’s most unforgettable exhibition moments. He fully embraced the now-iconic panda character and transformed the ice into a stage. The 2026 Olympic champion blended humor, risk, and personality into a performance that fans overwhelmingly crowned the most “theatrical.”
Rather than relying on traditional costume design, Shaidorov took a different route—one rooted in personal storytelling. The concept was entirely his own, inspired by his love of pandas and their clumsy, endearing nature. In particular, he leaned into the spirit of Kung Fu Panda, drawing parallels between the unlikely hero narrative and his own journey.
The costume itself stood apart from typical elite skating attire. Shaidorov wore a full-body panda suit which he claimed was both bulky and inherently unstable. This added an extra layer of difficulty, as the suit reportedly shifted during movement, making jumps and transitions far more unpredictable. Nevertheless, he committed fully, using the limitations of the costume to enhance the character rather than restrict it.
Meanwhile, the performance turned the concept into more than a gimmick, with every movement—from exaggerated gestures to martial-arts-inspired choreography—reinforcing the theatrical effect.
Ilia Malinin: Warrior Awakening and Mythic Power
USA’s Malinin stepped into a new artistic era with his short program to “The Lost Crown,” trading in simplicity for a fully realized, cinematic character. His costume immediately set the tone: a battle-worn warrior emerging from darkness, equal parts myth and modern hero. It perfectly aligned with the program’s narrative of self-discovery and inner strength.
Specifically, the design drew direct inspiration from Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, blending video game aesthetics with skating functionality. The program itself reinforces this concept, as Malinin described it as a journey of “coming alive” and discovering a warrior spirit within.
The costume was created by renowned designer Satomi Ito, who constructed a layered look that mimics armor without sacrificing movement. The gold-toned top features distressed, metallic finishes and asymmetrical paneling. This gave the illusion of sculpted plating across the torso. Additionally, the earthy palette grounded the design in a desert-like, ancient world, reinforcing the program’s Middle Eastern influences. The strapping details across the arms and legs evoked both protection and restraint, while the subtle blue accents provide contrast.
Ultimately, Malinin’s “Lost Crown” costume represented a turning point: a move toward deeper storytelling and theatrical commitment. By combining video game inspiration and technical precision, he delivered a look that felt both modern and mythological.
Adam Siao Him Fa: Renaissance Vision and Human Expression
Like last season, France’s Siao Him Fa once again leaned fully into theatrical storytelling. His short program felt as much like performance art as it did sport. Skating to “La terre vue du ciel” by Armand Amar, his costume became an extension of a deeper philosophical idea—one rooted in humanity, balance, and artistic exploration.
The costume was designed by the couture house Astraee Couture, a collaborator known for bold, conceptual work within figure skating. The inspiration came directly from Vitruvian Man and the broader vision of Leonardo da Vinci. It reflected the harmony between the human body and the universe. This matched the program’s theme, which explores perspective, existence, and humanity’s place in the natural world.
The attire is striking in its illusion, resembling a second skin with airbrushed anatomical shading that mimics musculature, like a living sculpture. Earthy tones blend into cooler purples across the sleeves, suggesting form and energy, inspired by Renaissance studies where art and science meet. The costume evolved over the season into a more subdued look with black trousers.
Ultimately, Siao Him Fa’s costume was one of the season’s most conceptual and debated designs—yet clearly one of its most theatrical, blending Renaissance inspiration with modern performance.
More Than Fabric: Where Theatre Meets the Ice
In the end, a costume is never just an accent—it is a central part of storytelling. It shapes character, music, and movement into a fully realized theatrical world on the ice. In the 2025–26 season, men’s figure skating pushed deep into expression with designs that don’t just complement programs, but actively heighten drama, emotion, and presence from the very first moment.
These costumes draw on bold theatrical traditions while still meeting the sport’s demanding technical requirements. If this year is any indication, the future of men’s skating will belong to those who can fully embody their characters—not just through movement, but through everything they wear on the ice.
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