Which type of costume do you think suits Mao best?

Just wondering which type of costumes everyone prefers for Mao...if you have more opinions than the poll options, plz post freely.

Also, if there's any particular color you really like on Mao, I'd like to know them too!

I'm one for Anything with wrist covers or gloves...preferably with no sleeves. I know Mao has beautiful arms but I think she looks real cool with gloves or wrist covers. I'm minority for sure, but looking back on it, I think the "Bells" costume was quite nicer than I thought at first.

The first original design for the '"Bells" costume which she only wore in France, was definitely not a good design to appeal her skills. But in terms of fashion, I thought it was pure mode level, too! Thought it was one of the most unique designs in ladys costumes over the past few years, just like Yuna's 007 costume which was mode level too IMO.

As for the best color which I think fits Mao is...white. I know white doesn't stand out in competitions, but I think she was just divine in her simple white costume for the Chopin Ballade EX!

Your thoughts plz!

I voted for no sleeves, but I also like wrist covers, without gloves.

My favourite costume of hers is the Claire de Lune (both versions). I think she looks amazing in rich colours and I'd love to see her in midnight blue, dark red or aubergine colour.

Thanks for posting zarinaballerina!
I loved the Claire de Lune costumes too! If not wrist covers or gloves, I would've chosen long sleeves like the Claire de Lune light blueish purple costume. Don't know why but I think her arms look longer in long sleeves...

I, too, voted for long sleeves.

babayaga wrote:

I, too, voted for long sleeves.

Thanks for voting babayaga!
Not many members seem to be voting so I'm so happy you did so!

Speaking of long sleeves, the costume for Mao's tango EX (the one on the right top of this forum's title image) was nice with only one armed long sleeve too! Loved that one

Btw, like many of you in this forum, although Mao's Swan Lake costume was pretty well recieved, here in Japan many fans are complaining they didn't do a good job on the upper fake skin (or whatever you call it) part as well...hoping they'd fix that part by COC.

Pochi, Mao's "fake skin" was never done very well, it was always a bit to dark. IMO, they should use a lighter shade.

zarinaballerina wrote:

Pochi, Mao's "fake skin" was never done very well, it was always a bit to dark. IMO, they should use a lighter shade.

Yep you're right zarinaballerina...that's one of the reasons I prefer long sleeves rather than short ones or none. Can't understand why they can't find the perfect color for her after all these years! Mao uses 'fake skin' alot even on her arms for seeminly short or no sleeved costumes the past few years...She used to skate with bare arms and shoulders quite often when she was younger. I often wonder why she doesn't do that so much anymore...maybe cause she lost alot of fat (maybe too much of it) and so she feels more colder in the rinks than before?

It's really hard to say what type of costume with specific choices like that. Wish we could choose more than one thing. It really depends on the costume. Mao's long sleeved Liebestram dress and her Claire de Lune dress with the bird on it are probably my two favorite Mao dresses (excluding EX dresses). I like her in either long sleeves or sleeveless, but I'm not crazy about short sleeves for any dress. Also not crazy about the chokers, but again, it really just depends.

Guess it's easier for me to choose a color dress I like best. I like her in purples (especially the periwinkle color we've seen her use quite a bit - like in all her Liebestraum, and Clair de Lune dresses) and white best. I also like her in blue a lot too. I think maybe the color has a lot to do with which ones are my faves! Maybe we should start a poll on favorite color on Mao too?

It's too hard to choose, Kayo, because it depends on the program. I like watching her in dresses with no sleeves although I also like a number of her long-sleeved costumes.

Hi Pochi! I voted "No sleeves", because I think Mao's shoulders are a bit bigger than her hips, and a costume without sleeves helps to conceal that and show a most harmonious figure. I like her Swan Lake costume, because she looks great on it, nice harmony between waist and hips, I think. Ofcourse, I love Por una Cabeza, Bells, Liebestraum and Fantasie costumes, even with sleeves

My favourite colour for Mao costumes are lavander, white, black and red

Ken Himura wrote:

Hi Pochi! I voted "No sleeves", because I think Mao's shoulders are a bit bigger than her hips, and a costume without sleeves helps to conceal that and show a most harmonious figure. I like her Swan Lake costume, because she looks great on it, nice harmony between waist and hips, I think. Ofcourse, I love Por una Cabeza, Bells, Liebestraum and Fantasie costumes, even with sleeves

My favourite colour for Mao costumes are lavander, white, black and red

Hi, Ken...it's been a while, huh?
Looking back on some photos, you might be right about her shoulders being a bit bigger than her hips. Mao's really thin around her hips (envy~).

Alyssa hasn't been around the forum for a while I think, but she seemed to like Mao in no sleeves too (she's just about the only person I know who hated the long sleeved Liebestraum costume! ). Could this coincidence be because you both live in South American countries??? I'm sure you guys wear short or no sleeves much often throughout the year than most of us do...maybe you feel more familiar with such type of clothing.

Here in Japan, however it gets hot in the summer, only guys and women who have extremely thin upper arms wear no sleeved clothes. Those of us who aren't like that tend to wear something with at least short sleeves cause we're embarrased. I know it sounds stupid, but nowadays the average shape of young girls are getting thinner and thinner, so women over their 30s are having a tough time... And Japanese men really treat fat women rudely! They only like young thin girls, no matter how they look like themselves...

And sorry everyone for this poll being too difficult to answer.
But at least we now know that most of us like Mao in purple or lavender!

PochinkoPotanko wrote:

Here in Japan, however it gets hot in the summer, only guys and women who have extremely thin upper arms wear no sleeved clothes. Those of us who aren't like that tend to wear something with at least short sleeves cause we're embarrased. I know it sounds stupid, but nowadays the average shape of young girls are getting thinner and thinner, so women over their 30s are having a tough time... And Japanese men really treat fat women rudely! They only like young thin girls, no matter how they look like themselves...

And sorry everyone for this poll being too difficult to answer.
But at least we now know that most of us like Mao in purple or lavender!

I agree, it's ridiculous, so many young girls in their early teens are on diet, and I'm not talking about healthy lifestyle but on a 1000 calories a day diet. I never understood the appeal of skeleton like bodies (that's what size 0 is to me), I'd think that men would prefer curves on a woman.
I had no idea that Japanese men treat heavier women badly. in all documentaries that I've seen about Japan and it's people, they were always portrayed as being very respectful.

I must say I'm a bit tired of seing Mao in lavender, but I have nothing against purple. However I'd love to see her in aubergine colour.

PochinkoPotanko wrote:

Ken Himura wrote:

Hi Pochi! I voted "No sleeves", because I think Mao's shoulders are a bit bigger than her hips, and a costume without sleeves helps to conceal that and show a most harmonious figure. I like her Swan Lake costume, because she looks great on it, nice harmony between waist and hips, I think. Ofcourse, I love Por una Cabeza, Bells, Liebestraum and Fantasie costumes, even with sleeves

My favourite colour for Mao costumes are lavander, white, black and red

Hi, Ken...it's been a while, huh?
Looking back on some photos, you might be right about her shoulders being a bit bigger than her hips. Mao's really thin around her hips (envy~).

Alyssa hasn't been around the forum for a while I think, but she seemed to like Mao in no sleeves too (she's just about the only person I know who hated the long sleeved Liebestraum costume! ). Could this coincidence be because you both live in South American countries??? I'm sure you guys wear short or no sleeves much often throughout the year than most of us do...maybe you feel more familiar with such type of clothing.

Here in Japan, however it gets hot in the summer, only guys and women who have extremely thin upper arms wear no sleeved clothes. Those of us who aren't like that tend to wear something with at least short sleeves cause we're embarrased. I know it sounds stupid, but nowadays the average shape of young girls are getting thinner and thinner, so women over their 30s are having a tough time... And Japanese men really treat fat women rudely! They only like young thin girls, no matter how they look like themselves...

And sorry everyone for this poll being too difficult to answer.
But at least we now know that most of us like Mao in purple or lavender!

Yes, it's been a while Pochi I've been so busy at work, i'm still busy at work but season started and I can't resist to know how Mao is doing You watched Mao on live, how lucky you are

Well, in Peru young girls (teenagers) use to be thin, because they want to look like models, but men prefer women with curves, for example, they prefer to JLO over Nicole Kidman. You are right, we usually wear clothes without sleeves in summer, no matter if the girl is thin or not, or how old she is. The exception are men who doesn't have muscles in her arms, because they feel embarrassed, actually, it's funny, girls don't care but men yes

I love purple/lavander

Ken Himura wrote:

Well, in Peru young girls (teenagers) use to be thin, because they want to look like models, but men prefer women with curves, for example, they prefer to JLO over Nicole Kidman. You are right, we usually wear clothes without sleeves in summer, no matter if the girl is thin or not, or how old she is. The exception are men who doesn't have muscles in her arms, because they feel embarrassed, actually, it's funny, girls don't care but men yes

That's funny cause skinny guys don't seem to mind about not having muscles in Jpn! Here it's like being skinny is good no matter what rather than even being slightly plump. I'm sure most Jpn men prefer Nicole rather than JenniferLO...Keira Knightley is just about the only actress I could imagine whom Jpn men might think as too skinny. Btw, this has nothing to do with anything, but I was Nicole's attendant and translater when she visited Jpn for the first time. We spent a whole week together. She was very nice and wasn't all that thin at the time. Just very very tall with long legs!

But I guess it's the same everywhere nowadays...everybody wants to look like super-models!

Although Mao seems to go on a diet during the season, I hope she never becomes that skinny. She looked fine at JO this season, and I'm hoping she'd keep it that way. Ashley Wagner commented on Facebook that she's crazy about munchkin doughnuts right now although she's aware they've got lots of fat. I think that's perfectly fine since skaters use alot of energy during practice. I never thought Mao needed a diet ever, all the same.

slightly off topic, but who are mao's costume designers? and to which costumes? there are some i prefer over others (oh that lovely dark blue clair de lune dress mao only wore once vs most of mao's agony tango dresses). i know josian lamonde (a designer who also works with yu-na) designed mao's long-sleeve liebestraume dress, but who else has worked with her?

I didn't vote, because I don't believe, for exemple, that all sleeveless costumes are good and all the ones with sleeves are bad. But I'm hoping for the person who made the liebestraum dress (with long sleeves) to become Mao's permanent costume designer. I'm also hoping for Mai to officially become Mao's fashion head advisor or something. I think it could be a good compromise to make costumes that are considered fashionable by the general public, and that Mao feels comfortable wearing also.

swan wrote:

slightly off topic, but who are mao's costume designers? and to which costumes? there are some i prefer over others (oh that lovely dark blue clair de lune dress mao only wore once vs most of mao's agony tango dresses). i know josian lamonde (a designer who also works with yu-na) designed mao's long-sleeve liebestraume dress, but who else has worked with her?

Oh, I wish Mao would go to Josian for all her costumes. The one "designer" who works with Mao for the most is TAT. I wish this would change.

dangerous_angel_face wrote:

I'm also hoping for Mai to officially become Mao's fashion head advisor or something. I think it could be a good compromise to make costumes that are considered fashionable by the general public, and that Mao feels comfortable wearing also.

This would be amazing!!! She always had beautiful costumes, and also dresses herself very nicely.

zarinaballerina wrote:

swan wrote:

slightly off topic, but who are mao's costume designers? and to which costumes? there are some i prefer over others (oh that lovely dark blue clair de lune dress mao only wore once vs most of mao's agony tango dresses). i know josian lamonde (a designer who also works with yu-na) designed mao's long-sleeve liebestraume dress, but who else has worked with her?

Oh, I wish Mao would go to Josian for all her costumes. The one "designer" who works with Mao for the most is TAT. I wish this would change.

dangerous_angel_face wrote:

I'm also hoping for Mai to officially become Mao's fashion head advisor or something. I think it could be a good compromise to make costumes that are considered fashionable by the general public, and that Mao feels comfortable wearing also.

This would be amazing!!! She always had beautiful costumes, and also dresses herself very nicely.

Didn't know her name till now, but I too would like it if Mao has her costumes designed more by Josian. I heard that the Swan Lake costume was done by someone Russian; most likely Tat's suggestion. I thought it was okay, but it could have been better if it were a bit more gorgeous (just a bit guys, not usual Tat level gorgeous!). OTOH, I've always liked most of Yuna's costumes. When it comes to costume taste, I think Yuna and Sasha were the best in ladies singles.

And Mai becoming Mao's fashion advisor could be a good idea, yes. But I think Mai has been dressing very well over the past few years because she probabaly has her own stylist. Mai's skating costumes were beautiful most of the times when she was competing, but she was dressing quite normally then off the ice; in other words she looked good in anything, but she was wearing outfits which weren't different from any other girl at her age in Jpn. But recently she's become much better at dressing, plus she seems to know which hairstyle would fit her clothing the most. That's why I can't help imagining she has a pro stylist for herself.

Anyways, I suppose we won't be seeing Mao in any Russian made costumes next season because of Sochi. Hoping she can find a good designer who wouldn't use too much 'fake skin' parts, or if they do can finally find the perfect 'fake skin' color to fit her!

I hope that Mao will choose to Vera Wang as the designer for her costumes, she was a figure skater, so she knows what Mao needs, something glamorous but confortable at the same time. I adore her designs, I can imagine how a Swan Lake costume design would be .....a dream come truth

By the way, Pochi, Nicole is one of my favorites actresses, she's a perfect beauty. Mao is a beauty too, and of course, she doesn't need any diet

Ken, choosing Vera would be fantastic, but I doubt it's ever going to happen.

zarinaballerina wrote:

Ken, choosing Vera would be fantastic, but I doubt it's ever going to happen.

Why not? I never thought that Mao stoped to wear cover boots, for example, but it happened, I think now Mao is looking for the best options, like no try 3A until it isn't ready Actually, Vera is a predictible choice for someone who wants to look oustanding on ice, maybe Mai can suggest this option to Mao, let's see :rotflao:

Ken Himura wrote:

zarinaballerina wrote:

Ken, choosing Vera would be fantastic, but I doubt it's ever going to happen.

Why not? I never thought that Mao stoped to wear cover boots, for example, but it happened, I think now Mao is looking for the best options, like no try 3A until it isn't ready Actually, Vera is a predictible choice for someone who wants to look oustanding on ice, maybe Mai can suggest this option to Mao, let's see :rotflao:

If Lori suggest it then maybe, but as long as TAT is her choreographer for competitive programs, she'll also be co-designing the costumes.
Well, in the above scenario at least one of her costumes would be fabulous. I also wouldn't mind if she goes to Josian. I'd love it if Mao would go to TAT for choreo (if she wants it so much) but would say NO to TAT's designes and go to someone else. Though to be fair, I like the Swan Lake costume, so there's still hope for TAT, I guess...

i wonder who was in charge of many of mao's dresses (2006-2007 short program and long program, black and white fantasie impromptu, i vow to thee my country exhibition are a few ones) because i'm positive tatiana isn't involved in all those. as for which style mao looks best in, i'm not really all that sure (i can't remember which one i picked, either ). for me, it's more of what the individual design of the dress instead. for example, just because one dress with long sleeves and a choker doesn't mean it looks like a different dress with long sleeves and a choker. the red and black por una cabeza and payadora exhibition dress is one of my favorites but it looks nothing like mao's short program dress from the olympics (which i hated).

swan wrote:

i wonder who was in charge of many of mao's dresses (2006-2007 short program and long program, black and white fantasie impromptu, i vow to thee my country exhibition are a few ones) because i'm positive tatiana isn't involved in all those. as for which style mao looks best in, i'm not really all that sure (i can't remember which one i picked, either ). for me, it's more of what the individual design of the dress instead. for example, just because one dress with long sleeves and a choker doesn't mean it looks like a different dress with long sleeves and a choker. the red and black por una cabeza and payadora exhibition dress is one of my favorites but it looks nothing like mao's short program dress from the olympics (which i hated).

Same here swan...I think Mao's SP costume for Olys was the worst one ever! Such a pity cause her performance in it was dazzling.

After seeing SA ladies, I thought Haruka's costumes were very nice (the best in her career so far!). Anybody know who designed them? I'd like the same designer to make something for Mao.

PochinkoPotanko wrote:

After seeing SA ladies, I thought Haruka's costumes were very nice (the best in her career so far!). Anybody know who designed them? I'd like the same designer to make something for Mao.

Pochinko, I was thinking the same when watching Haruka. Her costumes are alwys beautiful, especially this years short program costume , I'm all for Mao going to her costume designer.