What to Wear When Ice Skating: 10 Best Rink Outfits for 2024
Are you getting ready to ice skate at your local rink?
Well, if this is a concern, you want to look and feel good on the ice.
While, of course, being functional.
Most people are unsure of what to wear when ice skating.
If you’re underdressed, you’re cold and fussy, leading to a bad experience on the rink.
Too much clothing and you’re limited in what you can do.
If you’re not sure what to wear when ice skating, remember it should be the right mix of warm and functional.
If you’re indoors, you can wear fewer layers, but keep that in mind first before adding your own flair.
In this post, we’ve come up with the 10 best rink outfits so you can show off both your skating skills and your fashion sense.
We’ll cover the essentials and give some outfit ideas that can inspire you to look amazing on the ice.
Our Top Picks
Womens
- The North Face Flare Puffer Jacket
- Women's Turtleneck 100% Merino Wool Sweater
- Hue Essential Women’s Denim Leggings
Mens
- INVACHI Regular Fit Wool Pea Coat
- Amazon Essentials Crewneck Sweater
- Levi’s Signature Relaxed Fit Jeans
Don’t worry; we aren’t talking about competition-level or Olympic costumes here.
While it may turn heads at the rink, the style may not be appropriate.
You may just be going to skate with some friends or check out a new rink with your family.
Perhaps you’re starting ice skating classes, and you’re anxious about dressing for the occasion.
For practice or pleasure, whatever you decide to wear, it all boils down to 3 main factors: comfort and mobility, warmth, and safety.
A. Comfort and Mobility
Ice skating can be challenging, especially for newbies.
You want nothing that’s limiting your movement, so wearing clothing that’s comfortable is key.
At the same time, the clothing should be stretchy and breathable, so you can glide along the ice without worrying about wardrobe malfunctions.
Some common comfortable materials include long-sleeved shirts, leggings, and thin, long, comfortable socks.
B. Warmth and Layering
As the name implies, ice rinks are... well... cold. Indoor ice rinks have more control over the temperature.
These are often warmer than outdoor ice rinks that are at the mercy of the elements. Sometimes outside can be 50 degrees but feel like 40.
Nothing can spoil a fun day on the ice like feeling uncomfortably cold, so confirm whether you’ll be inside or outside.
If you’re outside, check the weather for the time you’ll be at the rink.
If you’re indoors, you can get away with fewer layers, though you should still wear light gloves, long-sleeved shirts, and sweaters, along with jeans or leggings.
Outdoor ice skating requires thicker materials or sometimes layering for added protection.
You might require a base layer to keep your skin dry and a thicker sweater or sweatshirt.
Then to protect yourself from the wind, a scarf, hat, or even earmuffs are appropriate.
Gloves can also come in handy but are optional if you think you can handle it.
Your layers should not be so thick that you can barely move.
Besides, your internal temperature will rise as you burn calories ice skating.
factors: comfort and mobility, warmth, and safety.
C. Safety
Falling is a part of ice skating, especially if you’re inexperienced.
Most wipeouts won’t lead to serious injuries.
But you’re more likely to experience scratches, bumps, and bruises without some added protection.
For the experienced skater, this means long sleeves or leggings.
Younger or inexperienced skaters can benefit from elbow pads, knee pads, or even a helmet.
We know it’s not too fashion-forward, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!
Now let’s jump into what to wear when ice skating.
These outfits aim to cover these factors while tapping into your style.
1. A Classic and Timeless Look
Let’s start with the classic and timeless ice skating look; a simple pair of leggings and a cozy sweater.
The leggings could be a solid, neutral color, allowing you to play around with the type and color of the sweater.
For guys, dark-colored jeans are an excellent option.
Some sweater options include a chunky knit, merino wool blend, turtleneck, or half-zip sweater.
Add a furry hat and scarf or a beanie to stay warm, giving you the perfect mix of comfort and style.
Try these:
- Women's Turtleneck 100% Merino Wool Sweater
- BALEAF Fleece-Lined Winter Leggings
- Furtalk Winter Chunky Beanie
For Men:
2: Sporty and Functional
Ice skating is a sport, so why not dress for it?
Sports brands have clothing for most disciplines, and skating is no exception.
Some common examples include long-sleeved hooded sweaters, fleece pants, leggings, or a full tracksuit from Nike, Puma, or Adidas.
Under the tracksuit, you can wear a thermal T-shirt, sports shirt, and gloves to keep your hands warm.
Add a sleeveless puffer jacket for warmth and style if you will be outside.
Here are some options:
- Adidas Full Zip Moisture Wicking Jacket
- Icebreaker Merino Thermal Base Layer Crew T-Shirt
- Adidas Winter Performance Go Gloves
For Men:
3. Get Elegant and Graceful
Sometimes you want to exude elegance and grace, and ice skating is a great opportunity to do it.
You can take a page out of your favorite competitor, pairing a figure-skimming dress with matching leggings.
The dress should be light while still providing enough warmth and coverage. Some skaters like A-line dresses, while others go for wrap dresses.
Adding elegance may mean glitter, sequins, or a timeless pattern on the front of the dress with matching opaque leggings.
Guys, don’t think you can’t be elegant too!
Your preferred long-sleeved dress shirt, cardigan, or turtleneck paired with fleece pants or a comfy, stretch material are classy looks.
When it’s time for both of you to head outside, a larger scarf or fur shrug with warm gloves keeps you looking elegant.
Need some ideas?
Try these:
For men:
4. Trendy and Edgy
Some younger skaters want to keep the latest trends in mind and are more concerned about edgy style than warmth.
That’s ok.
You can still mix your unique style with your skating look.
High-waisted jeans, cargo pants, and furry ankle covers may be the order of the day.
Streetwear is all the rave. Include a statement piece from your favorite brand.
Trendy is all about individual style, so dress things up with earrings, scarves, or your favorite brand’s hat or beanie.
For Men:
5. Cozy and Cute
Some skaters want to focus on being warm and cozy, and that’s ok.
However, it doesn’t mean you can’t look cute in the process.
The solution?
Jeans, a thick sweater, thick mittens, and a short jacket.
A hat or beanie keeps the chill away.
The objective with this style is layering, so make sure your middle layer keeps you warm and dry.
This may be a turtleneck sweater.
You can accessorize with bold colors for a little contrast, like a bright-colored scarf, mittens, or hat.
Cozy and cute is the go-to for families, especially those with young children.
For Men:
6. Retro Vibes
What did ice skaters wear in the 70s and 80s?
Retro vibes do not mean Flower-Power dresses and bell bottoms.
For girls, pleated skirts and long-sleeved sweaters were in.
The dresses you see in competitions were also the norm.
Guys wore jeans and cardigans with the occasional double-breasted sweater
Some wore shirts and jeans with a long-sleeved sweater over the shirt, letting the collar show.
You can sprinkle in some retro in your rink outfits, including yellows and teals, colorful turtlenecks, and a retro-style leather ice skate.
If the theme or vibe is 100% retro, mix in a headband, bandana, or some flared pants for that nostalgic touch.
For Men:
8. The Skating Minimalist
The opposite of glam, some people love to keep it simple with a minimalist look.
You can still exude sophistication with an all-black sweatsuit.
Dark-colored jeans and a turtleneck sweater can also portray a simple, minimalist look.
If you have your own skates or want to buy one, add white boots for an interesting contrast.
- The North Face Flare Down insulated Puffer
- Minclouse Women’s Casual Mock Turtleneck Sweater
- EDSTAR Knitted Winter Pullover
For Men:
9. Glamorous and Sparkly
Thinking about a little glam?
You can integrate a sparkly outfit on the rink.
A sequined top or dress will catch the light, or a sheer shirt will have everyone’s head turning.
Add black leggings and your own leather skates to stand out.
If it’s still chilly, stay warm with a flashy jacket while still showing off your glitz and glam.
For Men:
9. A Practical yet Versatile Option
Sometimes, knowing what to wear when ice skating has nothing to do with style.
It’s all about being practical yet versatile.
The base should be all about warmth, like thermal leggings or pants.
Add fleece-lined sweaters, hoodies, or down jackets so you can stay warm and swap out layers based on the weather conditions.
- The North Face Flare Puffer Jacket
- Furtalk Women’s Winter Scarf
- G Gradual High Waisted Fleece Joggers
For Men:
10. A fun, colorful time on the ice
Want to stand out on the rink? You’ll turn heads and make sure that no one runs into you on the ice.
You can try a bright-colored sweatsuit or leggings in reds, greens, blues, or yellows.
A bright-colored dress with neutral leggings also falls within this category.
Guys can stand out with a bright, fun shirt, sweater, or puffer jacket.
This one is all about bucking the trend of neutrals like black, white, and grey.
- Columbia City Trek Beanie (in Blush Pink)
- Grace Karin Popcorn Cardigan (In Rose Red)
- MIROL Long-Sleeved Plaid Dress
For Men:
factors: comfort and mobility, warmth, and safety.
What should you NOT wear when ice skating?
You’ll notice that most styles and forms of clothing are generally accepted.
However, some pieces may be counterproductive to ice skating.
Ice skating generates heat and energy, so you don’t need long, thick jackets.
These can slow you down and even increase the chances of falls.
Additionally, avoid really tight pants, such as skinny jeans, as these may limit your movement.
Furthermore, make sure you go with at least one layer.
You can take it off if it gets too hot, and vice versa.
What should you wear when skating on synthetic ice?
Have you ever skated on synthetic ice?
It’s a unique polyethylene material designed to use your ice skates.
One of the biggest advantages of synthetic?
It does not rely on cold weather and is sometimes used throughout the year.
Unless it’s outdoors during the winter, synthetic ice can function at room temperature in your garage or spare room.
There are also commercial synthetic ice rinks in places like museums and malls.
If you know you’ll skate on a synthetic ice rink, you have much more flexibility in your outfit.
That means shorts, t-shirts, jeans, and lighter forms of clothing since synthetic ice also promises softer falls.
Once you confirm the rink won’t be too cold, have fun with it!
Skating with style
Did one of these looks catch your eye?
Ice skating has several benefits.
It’s a great form of exercise; you can learn a new skill and connect with others.
But it seems like we’ve uncovered another benefit; sharing your fashion sense!
Before you get dressed or hit the store, remember to focus on function, warmth, and safety.
You can also incorporate some of your favorite timeless pieces with one of the outfit styles we mentioned.
If you’re interested in ice skating, consider a synthetic ice rink starter kit to practice at home or improve your skills and test out your rink outfits!
When you look good, you feel good, which can translate into more confidence on the ice.
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