Editing Figure skating (section)

==Music and clothing==
===Music===
For competitive programs, figure skaters were once restricted to instrumental music; vocals were allowed only if they contained no lyrics or words.<ref name=vocalsnote/> Beginning in the 1997–98 season, the [[International Skating Union|ISU]] decided to allow lyrics or words in [[ice dance]] music. Although the rules were not relaxed for singles and pairs, judges did not always penalize violations. At the [[2011 World Figure Skating Championships|2011 World Championships]], [[Florent Amodio]]'s long program music included words but an insufficient number of judges voted for a deduction.<ref name=w11mlp/> In June 2012, the ISU voted to allow skaters from all disciplines to choose music with words in their competitive programs beginning in the [[2014–15 figure skating season|2014–15 season]].<ref name=NYT140218/><ref name=IN140716/>

Skaters may use professional music editors so that their music meets requirements.<ref name=NDN140217/> Ice dancers are required to skate to music that has a definite beat or rhythm. Singles and pair skaters more often skate to the melody and phrasing of their music. For [[free skating|long program]]s, figure skaters generally search for music with different moods and tempos.<ref name=IN120423/> Music selections for exhibitions are less constrained than for competitive programs.

===Clothing===
[[File:2012 WFSC 04d 575 Tessa Virtue Scott Moir.JPG|thumb|upright|An example of ice dance costumes ([[Tessa Virtue]] and [[Scott Moir]] at 2012 World Championships)]]

Skaters are generally free to select their own attire, with a few restrictions. In competition, women may wear a dress, typically with matching attached briefs. This rule of costuming was created in response to [[Katarina Witt|Katarina Witt's]] costume and performance at the 1988 Winter Olympics.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What not to wear: The rules of fashion on the ice |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/01/21/figure-skating-fashion-rules |access-date=2021-05-02 |website=MPR News |date=January 21, 2016 |archive-date=February 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210055916/https://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/01/21/figure-skating-fashion-rules |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2004, the rule was extended to allow women to wear trousers.<ref name=ST041205/> They may wear opaque flesh-colored leggings or tights under dresses and skirts, which may extend to cover their skates. Men must wear trousers{{snd}}they are not allowed to wear tights, although officials do not always impose a deduction for violations.<ref name=GS121031/> Matching costumes are not required in pair skating and ice dance.<ref name=AS120818/>

Competition costumes vary widely, from simple designs to heavily beaded or trimmed costumes. Skaters risk a deduction if a piece of their costume falls onto the ice surface. An official may stop a program if he or she deems there to be a hazard. Skaters and family members may design their own costumes, sometimes with assistance from their coach or choreographer, or turn to professional designers.<ref name=AS120818/><ref name=IN120820cos/><ref name=AS120914/><ref name=AS121004/> Costumes may cost thousands of dollars if designed by a top-level costume maker.

According to current ISU regulations, costumes in competition must be fair, non-revealing, and appropriate for both short and long programs. Costumes should not be showy or exotic in nature. Clothing, however, can reflect the genre of music chosen.<ref name=isuSFTR/> Although the use of flesh-colored fabric means the costumes are often less revealing than they may appear, there have been repeated attempts to ban clothing that gives the impression of "excessive nudity" or that is otherwise inappropriate for athletic competition.<ref name=usfsa99rb/> In general, accessories or props are not permitted in competition.<ref name=isuSFTR/> The ISU allowed an exception for the [[original dance]] in the 2007–08 season but not since.