In honor of the 2008 U.S. Figure Skating Championships taking place in St. Paul this week, I thought I'd blog about the glitz and glamour of skater style and how on-ice fashion has evolved over the years—from conservative ice princesses of the past to the fashion-following athletes of today.

As a former figure skater, I'm enthralled with the competition, the grace, and the athleticism of my favorite sport. And although I know its a skater's artistry and technique that achieve high scores from judges, a stunning on-ice ensemble is always a plus. Interpreting my music and designing a new costume was one of my favorite parts of competition preparation.

Thursday night, my sister and I ventured to the Xcel to watch the country's top ladies skate their short programs. We sat on edge as fourteen-year-old newcomer Marai Nagasu completed a clean triple-triple jump combination, several perfectly centered spins, and an effortless spiral sequence—all good enough to bump favored skater Kimmie Meissner out of the top spot. Although we critiqued the axels, spirals, footwork, and music, we couldn't avoid the girlie gossip about which outfits we adored and which we disliked.

Today's skaters have more freedom to express themselves through what they wear. Sequins, crystals, fringe, feathers, asymmetrical skirts, sleeves, no sleeves—options are endless, and regulations are less strict than they used to be. Some skaters have even steered away from the traditional short-skirt-over-flesh-leggings look, opting for a modern skirtless unitard (see Beatrisa Liang's unconventional bodysuit from Thursday night). Dresses of the past were simpler, heavier, less glitzy, and less revealing.

A look back at some of skating's iconic fashionistas:

Three-time Olympic gold medalist (and Hollywood movie star) Sonja Henie revolutionized skating fashion in the late-1930s and '40s. In place of long, compromising dresses and dull black boots, she wore shorter skirts, which allowed for more difficult spins and jumps, and white ankle boots.

Balletic American skater Peggy Fleming floated across the ice to a gold medal in 1968 wearing a fluorescent green number. Dresses were simple but more fitted and athletic than in the past.

It was never her dresses that got her noticed; it was that oh-so-cute cropped hairstyle. But in 1976, Dorothy Hamill stayed in tune with '70s fashion in a persimmon V-neck dress.

The late '80s and early '90s brought much more elaborate dresses with puffy sleeves, intricate embellishments, and lots and lots of sparkle. Kristi Yamaguchi (my skating idol and our September 2007 cover model) glided to an Olympic gold medal in 1992.

In a season focused more on rink-side drama than actual skating, Nancy Kerrigan wowed fans at the 1994 Olympics in a breathtaking, crystal-adorned Vera Wang.

Michelle Kwan followed suit eight years later at the 2002 Olympic games, wearing a shimmering sleeveless dress also designed by Wang.

Kimmie Meissner, the defending national champion and this year's favored skater to win, brings back simplicity in a cranberry-red dress with cutouts.

Don't miss the ladies' long program tonight at 7 p.m. on NBC or online at icenetwork. Even better: Buy tickets for seats at the Xcel!