The Shades of Synchronized Skating: Nadia Diary Entry #2

by Nadia Lawrence

Skaters of color have always struggled to find clothing to match their specific skin tone, and finding skating apparel that matches has been no exception. However, Aurora Tights offers skating apparel that matches all skin tones to ensure that all skaters feel confident while on the ice. I first heard of the brand Aurora Tights just after last year’s National Championships. The moment I realized that a company was making tights designed to match all skin tones, I knew that I had to get a pair. I did not know how they would look, or if they would be an exact match, but I knew I had to try them out.

After years of wearing tights that did not match my skin tone at all, there were finally tights that were offered that would match other complexions. I am lucky enough to be on a team where a lot of time and consideration goes into making sure that the mesh on our dresses matches my skin tone. However, having tights that match my skin tone was definitely a first for me. Once my tights arrived, and I put them on, I immediately felt a sense of confidence while wearing them that I had never felt before. I had always been confident in my skating, but I always felt a sense of embarrassment while skating in tights that I knew did not match my skin tone, or the mesh of my dress. So finally having tights that matched my skin tone perfectly has given me the confidence that I had previously been lacking especially while competing.

A few weeks ago my team partook in the first virtual competition of the season by submitting our video. This was my first opportunity to wear my Aurora Tights with my dress. I had never felt so confident skating than I did at that moment. I finally got to have the same experience that each of my teammates did, which was having a dress and tights that matched my skin tone. Going out on the ice knowing that I did not stand out amongst my teammates because my tights did not match my skin tone was both amazing and empowering for me. For some skaters like myself, it is the first time that we have truly felt totally confident in our own skin while competing. Skaters will no longer feel embarrassed or stick out in a crowd because their tights or mesh does not match their skin tone. Aurora Tights truly gives me hope for the next generation of skaters because it allows all skaters to feel comfortable and confident in their own skin while competing.