Puffy shirts and skin-tight pants might earn you presentation points at the Olympics, but they’re risky at the office. Few of the outfits seen in Thursday’s men’s competition could ever be worn without skates, not to mention a substantial overcoat. We judged the skaters’ ensembles based on their wearability in the real world:
Alexei Yagudin, Russia (gold medalist)
The tight black shirt with the metallic wrap worked great with the gold-medalist’s “Man in the Iron Mask” theme, but the only place to wear it would be a “Star Trek” audition.
Evgeny Plushenko, Russia (silver)
His black jacket with rhinestone wings looked like a Siegfried and Roy hand-me-down. Can’t be worn in public, unless you’re dressing up for Halloween as a cross between Liberace and Ringmaster Ned.
Timothy Goebel, U.S. (bronze)
Leave it to a Midwesterner to keep it real. The bronze medalist’s traditional shirt-and-vest combination was a return to the simpler days of Dick Button. Could be worn almost anywhere, though the sequined tie would require some explanation.
Ivan Dinev, Bulgaria
You could wear his leather vest and knee-high boot covers to work, assuming you earn your living by playing in a Village People tribute band.
Alexander Abt, Russia
His sheer, light blue blouse looked like gossamer wings when he skated, but unless you’re playing Peter Pan in community theater, it’s never getting out of the armoire.
