Go for the Gold: Olympic Style
Tonight is the fete we've all been waiting for- the 2012 London Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony. We wait with bated breath to see if the spectacle can live up to Bejing's 2008 opening ceremony. Of course, for me it's all about what the athletes will be wearing, so I will give you an inside look at what you will see tonight. I've broken out the London slang dictionary to get into the British spirit. Read on for the Olympic fashions of the birds and blokes competing in the 2012 summer Olympics.
Ralph Lauren designed the American uniforms in his archetypal prep fashion. For the opening games tonight the men will sport navy blazers with the olympic patch; red, white and blue ties, and white trousers. The women will wear either a white skirt or dress paired with a navy blazer, and all of the athletes will wear a beret. The look is quintessential Ralph Lauren sportswear and there could have been no better choice to represent the U.S. Olympic team.
The response to the design of the collection has been positive with only a few people going bonkers over the team wearing a beret rather than a "more American ball cap." My response? Get over it. I personally think the uniform is great- sporty, preppy and 100 percent American. Have a decko for yourself.
Now that, my friends is patriotic.
You can get the Olympic style at Ralphlauren.com:
Official scarf. Super preppy and chic.
Get your name on the official polo.
Other countries around the world have enlisted top designers from their home to create the Olympic uniforms for their team.
Of course, Giorgio Armani, the ultimate Italian man was commissioned to create the looks for the Italian team. The uniforms are primarily black and white with Italian flag details. There are many thoughtful details in the uniforms like the Italian national anthem which is featured on the interior of the jacket.
In my opinion, they are just okay. Nothing too special or eye-catching.
Italian fencer, Valentina Vezzali
Italian Olympic Team with Giorgio Armani
English native, Stella McCartney was bestowed with the honor of creating Great Britain's 2012 Olympic uniforms. Her design is an unique take on the British flag. Her intent was to "try and use that very iconic image but to dismantle it and try to soften it, break it down and make it more fashionable in a sense," (BBC). This was greeted with mixed opinions from Brits. Some felt her designs were "'too blue' and look[ed] more Scottish than British," (BBC). These are pretty harsh accusations for a uniform that is supposed to embody all that is Great Britain for their Olympic athletes.
In my opinion the uniforms are sleek but don't strike me as British upon first glance but this may be my patriotic bias toward the U.S. sneaking in. With the British Olympic "kit" comprising of "about 175,000 items of clothing and 38 types of footwear for the nearly 500 Olympic and 350 Paralympic competitors," I'd say she did a jolly good job. (NY Magazine)
Photo courtesy of BBC.com
Photos courtesy of fashionologie.com
France's uniforms were designed by Addidas... Couldn't they have taken advantage of all the top-notch fashion designers in Paris?
The German uniforms have no trace of the national colors. The men are in blue and women in pink- very original. They aren't terrible but they don't have much German patriotism and that is what the Olympic games are supposed to be about.
The Jamaican uniforms are my favorite next to the U.S. team. They were designed by Puma in collaboration with Cedella Marley, daughter of Bob Marley. This was a great move for Puma to include her in the design process so that the collection will really capture the essence of the Jamaican culture.
If you're lucky enough to be in London for the games, it's sure to be rainy, so grab your brolly, get a cuppa and get to the Olympic village for what is sure to be an excellent show. As for the American team, I hope it doesn't come a cropper- go for the gold America!
