As we approach this year’s Olympics, we are reminded of what the games are really about; sportsmanship, pushing the boundaries of athletic ability, and BIG fits. It's no secret that athletes make for great brand representatives and models, but they usually remain in the realm of more popular sports like basketball or football. During the Olympics, we turn our heads to the athletes of more obscure sports like jiu-jitsu or archery. Could there be a fit god or goddess among the US equestrians? Time will tell.
The opening ceremonies are basically a competition in their own right, with many countries choosing their best designers to represent them in the parade. Christian Louboutin has designed for Cuba, Giorgio Armani has designed for Italy, and Stella McCartney has designed for Great Britain. The United States has a long history of incredible looks made by a number of different designers over the years. The most iconic of these being Halston, Levi Strauss & Co, and Ralph Lauren, all designers who have represented American style at one point.
Halston, whose rise and fall was recently illustrated in a series by Ryan Murphy on Netflix, was once an American sweetheart. He started designing for America’s elite, but his vision was to become a household name and he made clothes for all budgets, making his high fashion designs accessible. He was no stranger to representing America in fashion, having made his mark on the world at the famous Battle of Versailles fashion show in France in 1973.
Because of his mass appeal, it was a no-brainer for Halston to create the uniforms for the 1976 games, especially when, according to an article from Fashionista, he offered to do it for free when the United States Olympic Committee was in financial trouble. The summer version of Halston’s design featured dark navy pants and a white zip-up jacket with a neck scarf, and the winter version was a navy hooded jacket with matching loose pants. The outfits were sold in the department store Montgomery Ward so fans could purchase them and match the athletes. Halston also notably designed uniforms for the Girl Scouts of America and Braniff Airways.
The 1980s were a very weird time to be an American. Ronald Regan, an actor, had just become president while national pride was reaching new highs during the Cold War (Yes, this was thee Miracle on Ice Olympics). For the 1980 winter Olympics, American athletes were treated to incredible uniforms made by Levi Strauss & Co. Trucker jackets made with sherpa-lined suede and matching mittens were complimented by huge white cowboy hats and, of course, classic Levis blue jeans. The cowboy look has long remained synonymous with American ideals of independence.
Levi Strauss & Co originally planned to make the uniforms for both the summer and winter Olympics in 1980, however, the US would eventually boycott the ensuing summer Olympics because they were held in Moscow.
Fashionista also noted that at the time, American blue jeans were a hotly desired, yet hard to acquire, style piece for many young Russians. It was expected that upon the United States’s arrival, free pairs would be handed out to local spectators which ultimately never arrived due to the boycott. Levi’s would go on to design the US uniforms again for the 1984 Olympics, replicating a similar style for the winter games and a more traditional athleticwear uniform for the Los Angeles Summer Olympics.
Between 1984 and 2008 there were a handful of designers who tried to make Americana-inspired outfits to show off their patriotism, but none of them quite stuck. So, the USOC had to tap into the ultimate American designer, Ralph Lauren. Even before he was tasked with creating the official uniforms his designs were practically chanting, “USA! USA! USA!”.
Ralph’s first year was characterized by hyper-preppy outfits that featured navy blazers over white pants and polos with white newsboy hats and neck scarves. This color scheme was the formula for most of the RL Olympics fits, which have had a number of different variations over the years. Since his first go at fashioning the Olympics, Ralph has blessed athletes with many iconic pieces. One that looks like it could have walked down the runway at a Ralph FW show is the 2014 winter Olympics cardigan, an intarsia knit featuring the Olympic rings and stars and stripes. This particular kit also came with a pair of brown hiking boots with red laces, a style that seems more relevant in everyday fashion today than it was then. Another holy grail Ralph Olympics piece is a pair of suede fringe gloves from the 2018 winter games that feature a beaded American flag and Olympic rings. What makes these a stand-out piece is their nod to indigenous American styles.
The 2020 Olympics has shown signs of being one of the most fashionable games yet. This year will be the first year two of the most stylish sports, surfing and skateboarding, will be events in the games. For the opening ceremonies, Ralph has brought back his classics: a navy blazer, and crispy dark wash denim to match. Under the blazer is a navy striped t-shirt featuring a red polo pony and a stars and stripes neck scarf to match. Ralph’s Americana-inspired motifs have remained consistent throughout his reign as Olympics outfitter, but this year he’s stepped up his game in the technical design of the garms.
For the opening ceremonies, the United States flag bearers will be wearing a completely custom design. Due to the heat expected at this year’s games, the team at RL designed a cooling system to be worn inside the white flag bearer’s jacket. According to an article from WWD, the wearable addition uses the same self-regulating technology that computers use and will help keep these athletes cool as they represent the US. This technology is just one part of a larger conversation Ralph Lauren wants to have about sustainability.
The 2020 Ralph Lauren uniforms will use materials like ECOFASTTM Pure which uses less water, chemicals, and energy to dye garments as well as a completely plant-based leather called MIRUMTM, and REPREVE® recycled polyester made from recycled plastic bottles. Nike, who will be outfitting the skateboarding, soccer, and basketball teams this year, has also invested in sustainable fabrics for their summer pieces.
Not only are there Ralph Lauren and Nike items to be copped this year, but Kim Kardashian’s Skims will also join Ralph and Nike as team USA’s official loungewear designer for female athletes at the games. The collection, which included a full range of pajamas and undergarments, presumably to be worn while hanging out on the cardboard, anti-sex beds.
Want to dress like a true olympian? Check out the vintage Olympic gear drop on Seasons here.
