I am enchanted by ice skating. I wait patiently for each Winter Olympics when truly, I am only interested in watching this single event. 

Specifically, I enjoy watching the Solo Women’s Single Skate. I am not sure whether it’s the costumes or how the athletes manage to project a sense of simplicity into the act, but I find it truly captivating. 

I seriously can’t begin to comprehend the sport. I can skate-ish, but I don’t understand how it works; it is so incredible to me. 

Accompanying the graceful movements, we see the costumes amount to unparalleled glitz and glamor. The glistening arrangements of cloth and gems covering the skaters entice me; they definitely draw me to the sport.

These outfits are truly ornate works of art. In no other sport do I find the clothing so breathtaking, but I can’t help but pose a question: aren’t they freezing?

Specifically this Olympic season, one costume stands out particularly: Karen Chen’s costume in the Solo Women’s Skate. While yes, Chen’s attire was breathtaking, it’s not so much the look that makes it so memorable. 

Skating to “Butterfly Lovers’ Concerto,” the song was accompanied by a striking, handmade, and purple deep-V illusion neckline. The designer? None other than her mother herself. 

When speaking about her costume, Chen had nothing but a flood of adoration for her mother. “She does all the hard work,” Chen said. “And she puts, like, blood, sweat, and tears into it.”

The color is powerful. Covered in ombre, seeping color as you move down the dress is a perfect way to avoid the 2017-ish look an ombre could hold. Purple, the color of royalty, holds a certain capability. She looks regal.

Crystals surrounded the allusions deep-V neckline. The light-catching gems make the costume look not only designer but expensive. It must have required meticulous attention to detail. This outfit is everything. Hsiu-Hui Tseng, you have hit t

he mark.

 A controversy surrounding that of the Russian Olympic Committees skating athletes has surfaced, so as a result, clips have congested my social media feeds. When I tell you I can’t stop watching these three Russian teenage girls skate, I am being completely authentic.

Alexandra Trusova’s outfit—at first glance—appeared rather bland in contrast to many of the other gilded pieces I expected to experience. However, in watching her performance, I was not upset.

Trusova has fiery red hair. When skating, her face remains rather rigid; however, this does absolutely nothing to hinder her unparalleled talent. 

Paired with her red hair and lipstick, her black dress just worked. With a simple neckline and a mesh side bodice, it looked sophisticated. In turn, the slits in the lower part of the costume acted as part of the choreography. Her outfit worked like a glove, moving with her and catering perfectly to her routine. Trusova ended up taking the silver medal.

To touch on some of my favorite looks featured at this year’s Olympics, Wakaba Higuchi’s Short Program costume was absolutely stunning. At first glance, I only recognized the ice tones featured, however, pastels covered the chiffon base. There is an illusion of this being one shoulder, and the entire side is sheer, looking to be made out of snowflakes and ice. I love this dress–truly unreal.

Young You wore an equally stunning ensemble. I can’t place why, but I will always favor the cold color scheme. This gray array with blue-toned crystals running up the torso and arms was incredible—I seriously can’t even. I particularly like the open back and sheer aspects of this costume.

ROC’s Anna Shcherbakova’s Short Program costume—oh my God. 

Olympic gold medalist Anna Shcherbakova wore a long sleeve black and gray piece that I adore. It has pieces of sheer material and sparkles coming off of the upper part of her wrist as well as around the neckline. I definitely think I would always go for the long sleeve. So incredibly stunning. This costume matched her performance–worthy a gold medal.

Believe me, I could go on and on. 

I seriously could admire these marvelous emsembles for ages. In studying these, I have, in a way, been able to live my childhood—and into young adult life—dream of dancing or skating in these costumes. In a way, this exquisite array has allowed me to fulfill some of that fantasy.