Team USA's Olympic Parade Suit

Prairie Dog · Aug 9, 2008

What are your thoughts on Team USA's Opening Ceremony Parade Uniform?

Before they hit the gym, the track and the pool, Team USA made a pit-stop at prep school. Designed by Ralph Lauren, the uniforms for the 650 athletes marching in last night's Olympics opening ceremony in Beijing evoked the heritage and legacy of the 1920's and 1930's. It featured a white cotton broadcloth shirt and ivory cuffed pants, complemented by a navy blue blazer in tropical wool, adorned with the iconic Polo Pony and the 2008 U.S. 'Look of the Team' logo. The outfits were accented by Americana-infused accessories with red, white and blue silk ties for the men, scarves for the women and classic canvas sneakers with red and blue lateral stripes, topped off with a white twill newsboy cap.

The look was very sharp, very graphic on TV, very aspirational and very statesmen-like.

Tomasso · Aug 10, 2008

I thought they looked great.

J. M. Stovall · Aug 10, 2008

I don't remember many of them wearing the ties, I guess it was optional.

DerMann · Aug 10, 2008

scarves for the women and classic canvas sneakers with red and blue lateral stripes,

That's the only part that bothered me. Otherwise, yeah, they looked really sharp. The "Polo Pony" looks a bid gaudy. One of the reasons why I like sportjackets so much is that they are devoid of outward advertising. Patches and insignia are fine, but brand symbols are just gaudy.

Nathan Flowers · Aug 10, 2008

J. M. Stovall said:
I don't remember many of them wearing the ties, I guess it was optional.

Weirdly, I saw the opposite. It looked like all the men were wearing their ties. Some weren't pulled tight, but all appeared to be wearing them.

GBR · Aug 10, 2008

Nothing kind.

Pretty cheap stuff justified because PRL was 'donating' some huge sponsorship fee.

Like all these things burn them as quickly as possible after.

Like so many things the USA knows how to do it badly.

tonyb · Aug 10, 2008

Don't hold back now, GBR. Tell us what you really think.

rmrdaddy · Aug 10, 2008

Sounds like sour grapes since the UK Chaps and ladies weren't dressed quite as sharp...lol

lol

AlanC · Aug 10, 2008

Compared to everyone else (including the Brits) they weren't too bad.

Feraud · Aug 10, 2008

The USA and France looked dapper.

Miss Crisplock · Aug 10, 2008

Ah, but the armholes (armscryes)!!

EVERYONE had armholes cut too high! Country after Country would parade by with athletes waving to the crowd with pride only to be attacked by their own lapels.

If nothing else would convince one of the folly of a low cut armhole, a look at that parade will.

Poor kids! The only comfy wavers were in mufti or Aussies.:eusa_doh: :eusa_doh:

Tomasso · Aug 10, 2008

GBR said:
.Like so many things the USA knows how to do it badly.

True, yet hundreds of millions of people from all over the world dream of living in our silly little country.

dahliaoleander · Aug 10, 2008

And who told Italy that cargo pants go with tailored suits.

From the waist up it was gorgeous.

From the belt down it was "MY EYES!!!!!!!!" lol

dhermann1 · Aug 11, 2008

I thought it was interesting to see how many different nations had variations of the white Panama hat. The USA has the driving cap instead. It looked to me that a few individuals looked like they felt funny wearing them and wore them at awfully odd angles.

Pip · Aug 11, 2008

Who told the New Zealanders that sandals were a good idea? lol

Gotta admit, USA's looking the best there!

UK is pretty poor lol

Spain is shocking lol

MrBern · Aug 11, 2008

http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/fashion/2008-08-08-olympic-uniforms_N.htm

The goal was to create "something simple enough for the athletes to put together, yet stylish enough to elevate us as a country," says David Lauren, the designer's son and the company's senior vice president of advertising, marketing and corporate communications. (Ralph Lauren also designed Team USA's sportier outfits to wear at the Olympic Village and during the closing ceremony.) The look is "very sharp, very graphic on TV, very aspirational and very statesmen-like."

The polished pieces are "exactly what we were looking for," says Norman Bellingham, the U.S. Olympic Committee's chief operating officer. The image is "appropriately formal for the occasion. We want our young ambassadors in the best possible light as they step out onto the world stage." The USOC estimates that 4 billion people will watch TV coverage of the Games. "We are nervous, but we are more excited," says Lauren, who calls tonight's parade the company's "highest-profile moment" in its 41-year history. "It's our ultimate fashion show. "

T.E.W.Clough · Aug 11, 2008

I have to agree, the USA takes it.

Although, if Frances' ladies ensemble had risen to match its masculine counterpart the glory would have gone to them.

Spain on the other hand...

aghast! A creation to make the eyes bleed!

MrBern · Aug 11, 2008

Found this on FLICKR. I believe its RL's USA uniform to be worn casually around the village.

J. M. Stovall · Aug 11, 2008

Zohar said:
Weirdly, I saw the opposite. It looked like all the men were wearing their ties. Some weren't pulled tight, but all appeared to be wearing them.

You're right, I was getting it confused after the fact with some of the other teams that just wore blazers.

Lady Day · Aug 11, 2008

They do look great, elegant, streamlined, and sporty, but the 'polo' is just TOO branding.

At least they used an American designer.

LD

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