Basically, because it makes your legs look longer. Duh. "Some people think it gives them a longer leg line," skating costume designer Brad Griffies told the program. But, even he thinks there might be another reason. "I honestly think it's because people are lazy, and they don't want to polish their skates."
Pyeongchang, South Korea, will be cold. That's why the Winter Olympics are there, silly. And with all those freezing temps, Nike has stepped out with its Team USA outfits. According to NBC, they are "waterproof, insulated and come with knitted hand-warmers that attach to the sleeves. They even come with a removable bomber jacket."
Simply put: They think it makes them faster. A New York Times article says the athletes generally agree that "blue skates faster." We don't get it, either. There's no science to back it up. However, it could work as a mental boost.
We can't move a foot without our clothes looking like we just tussled with a grizzly. So, how can figure skaters do all those jumps and turns and axles and their outfits not move at all? What gives? Or doesn't? Skating costume designer Brad Griffies says some skaters have sewn their leotard to their tights.
And there's always adhesive spray. Michelle Kwan told Allure she once sewed her bun in place.
"If girls have really thick hair, they'll sew it down," Griffies says. "They put it in a bun, then take a really thick yarn and a big needle, and thread it through a couple times, just to keep it down and together. Then they'll hair spray it, of course."
So, we're just as curious as the next person. But sometimes you've got questions and no one to really ask.
NBC's "Today" show had those questions about the Olympics, since the Winter ones are coming up next month. (You did remember that, right?)
Well, thanks to "Today," we're feeling much damn smart right about now. We thought we'd pass that knowledge along.