This post is going to be an unholy blend of fashion, politics, economics and the Olympics. At some point, I simply feel bad for the young athletes who work for years and years to represent their country at the Olympics, only to become pawns in an international political game that has little to do with the true spirit of the games. Of course, I also feel bad for the athletes because they’re being forced to wear these awful Ralph Lauren uniforms. A few days ago, the new uniforms were revealed on the Today show, and ever since then, no one can shut up about how awful they are. These are the “uniforms” that all of the American athletes will wear to the opening ceremony – everyone in berets and double-breasted navy blazers with giant gold buttons (Duchess Kate just had a small orgasm). The girls will wear white skirts cut awkwardly below the knee. The boys will wear white slacks. Everybody gets a scarf or an ascot. I mean… it’s awful.
But! It’s not like Congressmen have suddenly turned into fashion critics – although they really should, because these uniforms are FUG. No, politicians and pundits are yelling for other reasons. First of all, these uniforms are being called “too French”. Because of the beret. And I’m guessing the multitude of scarves and stuff. That was the knee-jerk reaction – like, people saw “fug Olympic uniforms with berets and scarves” and they immediately went to “French”. Which is totally unfair to France, because I don’t see their athletes in BERETS. But then Congressmen were like, “Ugh, where were these uniforms made? PARIS?” And Ralph Lauren was like, “Er, actually they were made in China.” So now it’s become an even bigger thing.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told reporters: “I am so upset. I think the Olympic committee should be ashamed of themselves. I think they should be embarrassed. I think they should take all the uniforms, put them in a big pile and burn them and start all over again… If they have to wear nothing but a singlet that says USA on it, painted by hand, then that’s what they should wear,” he said, referring to an athletic jersey.
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi told reporters at her weekly news conference that she’s proud of the nation’s Olympic athletes, but “they should be wearing uniforms that are made in America.”
House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said simply of the USOC, “You’d think they’d know better.”
In a statement, the U.S. Olympic Committee defended the choice of designer Ralph Lauren for the clothing at the London Games, which begin later this month.
“Unlike most Olympic teams around the world, the U.S. Olympic Team is privately funded and we’re grateful for the support of our sponsors,” USOC spokesman Patrick Sandusky said in a statement. “We’re proud of our partnership with Ralph Lauren, an iconic American company, and excited to watch America’s finest athletes compete at the upcoming Games in London.”
Ralph Lauren also is dressing the Olympic and Paralympic teams for the closing ceremony and providing casual clothes to be worn around the Olympic Village. Nike has made many of the competition uniforms for the U.S. and outfits for the medal stand.
On Twitter, Sandusky called the outrage over the made-in-China uniforms nonsense. The designer, Sandusky wrote, “financially supports our team. An American company that supports American athletes.”
Ralph Lauren’s company declined to comment on the criticism.
Obviously, I think the “too French” criticism is just dumb, Yes, the berets are ugly, but it has nothing to do with looking “French”. As for the Made In China criticism… it’s fair game. Ralph Lauren is one of many, many American designers who outsource their manufacturing to China (and other countries with lenient labor laws). My take: unless Congressmen are willing to criticize every company that outsources manufacturing to China (coughWalMartcough), they should take a pill.
Ralph Lauren is already selling The Olympic Collection online too – go here to see it. I kind of want the Team USA Vintage Mockneck. GAH! I want the tote too.
Images courtesy of Ralph Lauren.
man that swimmer bro is doing things to me..
Yeah I’ll just take Ryan hahaha
Gah…..all of a sudden Team GB is feeling very grateful for having Stella McC.
That skirt and the socks are going to be so unflattering. And the shoes … It almost reminds me of an airline uniform, I think Qatar air used to wear something similar.
I don’t hate the men’s jacket. It’s smart. But was RL sharing a cracktini when he thought of the berets? Just … Why? What is the relevance? Even a cowboy hat would have made more sense. Would’ve been funny seeing them enter the stadium like that.
Ralph obviously designed the woman’s outfit without taking into consideration the frames of the women wearing it. Might be fine for a few, but Serena? The gymnasts, weightlifters? Skirts with socks? Way to make everyone look short fat and dumpy.
He must have designed them for swimmers and divers only.
Looks like classic RL, but I hate them. So much foofiness
yeah, I cannot imagine a shot putter feeling good about herself in that outfit
@OTiff-So true! Not many women can pull off socks and skirt combo. Really, only supermodels make that sh*t look good. Stupid RL.
No kidding! The poor tiny gymnasts won’t even have legs showing. All four feet of them will be swamped in socks and skirts.
Some of our athletes are very young girls, they are going to look like they are in Catholic school.
I got red, white and blue checked skirts. I am forever traumatized!
It’s weird the first thought that popped into my mind was,’they look a little militaristic’ with the beret not French at all. I actually didn’t think it could be worst than the Stella McCartney but it is. Considering his Wimbledon designs, these are really disappointing
Oops double post
My husbands cousin is a multi-game (including this one Yah!) Olympian and she is not happy about the women’s opening ceremony outfit AT ALL. Combining muscled calves, awkward length skirts, and little girl shoes and socks, will be so unflattering. She joked that she’s going to look like a half finished Toddlers and Tiaras drag costume
Anthe godawful lenght?! And cut? And a WHITE skirt and Bobby Socks I mean? What the fuck? They are not showing Olympians Bodies in their best light AT ALL. And im sure them ladies train hard for it
Without the flag there I’d never know this was team USA.
Ralph Lauren could fix this problem overnight. Remove those tacky looking gold buttons and the huge RL pony logo on the jacket (which should have been a USA or Olympic symbol), dump the beret for a white baseball cap with a red USA logo, remove the scarves, ties, and white shirts and replace with red t-shirts. Switch women to equality wearing (and bobby sock hiding) white pants and it’s done. A quick, easy All American fix that could be done in a day.
Never expected to see Ralph Lauren become an embarrassment of bad taste. How are our athletes supposed to proudly represent the USA wearing this awful ensemble?
Some of those ideas are good, but we also need to remember that this is kind of a formal event. The Americans will have enough troubles with the press without showing up looking like typical frat boys.
Seriously with the giant RL logo. Dude, it’s the Olympics- not about YOU. Also, the berets do look like they have a little French flag on them. Seriously.
Advertise much Ralph?
I thought blatent advertising like his logo wasn’t allowed? (For example Hockey Canada had to change the jerseys of the team because Hockey Canada is also a coroporation or something.)
EDIT: I was totally wrong its “The IOC regulation forbids sport federations from displaying their logos on uniforms at the Olympics.” So yeah.
As if the cheesy cowboy hats weren’t bad enough…
I know what they remind me of! I just had a horrible flashback to my brownie uniform (Do they still exist?)… no wonder I feel traumatized… anyone else remember those ugly things?
Oh yes, they still exist -_- I regularly get them knocking on doors looking to sell bits and bobs.
catholic school uniform, mine had a plastic maroon bow tie for f’s sake!
Eh! It looks like Ralph Lauren’s style. That’s who they chose and that’s what you get.
That’s true.
+1
and in more the suits looks like older version of AIR FRANCE suits
They also have a strong military vibe. That bothers me. They look like militant french steward prep school outfits. First the debacle with those awful Olympic pics and now this. Egads.
Or as Steven Tyler says: ERMAHGERD!!
Those berets are over the top. And the female version looks like a catholic school girl interning as a flight attendant.
Hahahaaaaa thanks Kaboom your comment made my day!
X__X im dead
you win at internets today
OMG I totally agree. Bobby socks? Berets? I am so embarassed for these people.
ROTFLMAO!!
Kaboom, that is THE comment of the day!!!
Love it!!!
Made in China, how American.
The woman’s outfit is horrible, the long skirt and socks, these are grown women and they get dressed like 10 year olds, plus whats with the huge Ralph Lauren logo on everything, it should be the flag.
+1 Yeah, I understand that he is doing this as a sponsor but the fact that his HUGE logo is on the breast bothers me. And the made in China factor. And the skirts instead of pants for women. And, well, just the overall fugliness.
Overall, fail.
Exactly!! The Olympic rings would have been appropriate too.
That was my reaction too. I can’t see anything in these uniforms that show the athletes to be American – they could be French, Australian, British, or any other country who has a red, white and blue flag. Major fug fail.
And now I’m off to look up the Aussie uniform and check we won’t be humiliated too.
I think the womens uniform is pretty nice. However! The RL logo is hideous, and the bobby socks are so bad. Perhaps the women can chose not to wear them. The skirt should flatter almost all figures and the jacket is slimming. I am wondering if RL donated all the uniforms in return for brand placement (the horse logo). I heard yesterday on the radio that the items were made in America, not China.
The beret it seems it has a small french flag on it!
They look like college uniforms!
When I saw the stripes on the beret and ascot my first thought was that it looks like the French flag – three wide vertical stripes of blue, white, and red. Add in the fact that this pattern is on headwear that is heavily associated with France. If the photo hadn’t featured an American flag, I definitely would have assumed it was the French team. I wonder if this would have caught my attention if the stripes weren’t vertical?
The reason they look so french is because there isn’t a star on the whole uniform. What the heck was he thinking. It is definitely the french flag on the beret and the ascot. Would be totally different if he added the stars and smaller stripes. The male jacket is selling for a real bargain. Only $800.
Ironically the first words out of my mother’s mouth when she saw the uniforms was that “They look like they should be for the French team” I believe she was referring to the way they tried to fashionably present the USA red/white/blue.
I just think it’s a shame something made for a US team was inevitably made in China, but I hits right on the head the problems we have with manufacturing and producing our own goods and services without companies seekingthe cheaper option to make more money for themselves.
Exactly, Riana. Yes, most US companies outsource their manufacturing but if there is ONE time that stuff should be made here-it’s the frickin’ US Olympic uniforms. SMH.
F*ck Ralph Lauren-they should have used American Apparel. Of course, then the US uniform would probably consist of unitards, leggings and hipster headbands for the ladies and skinny jeans and belly tank-tops for the dudes. Still, it would have been the right thing to do.
I would sit through the opening ceremony to see the US team in the American Apparel kit, that alone would be worth the price of a ticket!
At least AmApparel has LA based sweatshops, right???
And Terry Richardson could have taken the pictures too.
This is a terrible situation-the uniforms should have been made here by a real company that isnt a sweatshop.
And without horses all over them.
You forgot to add see-through and exposing the crotch area 🙂
But yes, the ONE time…smh.
Ralph Lauren is soo white!
And Jewish.
if the clothes have been paid for by private investors and Ralph Lauren is also one, then I don’t think these people have any right to complain. I’m sure the outfits have gotten a greenlight from all the people who funded the project.
Also I’d really like to know where the American outfits of previous Olympic Games were manufactured. If for every edition the outfits are made in cheap-labour countries, then I certainly would not understand why they are making a fuss now only about Ralph Lauren. I have a feeling that the production of the clothes is always outsourced. If they feel that that is wrong, then they should regulate it a bit better beforehand. Make some damn rules.
Also the berets remind me more of an army uniform than of the French. The girly socks with cutesywutesy white shoes are more offensive to me. That is no outfit for a grown woman. So the men look like manly dudes that are in the army and the women look like they are from a boarding school for girls? Gross.
And the dude with the flag… seriously… I thought that was Captain America.
I’m pretty sure I heard them say on the news that this isn’t the first time the USA uniforms were outsourced. I think the point was that during this economy, when jobs are scarce, we could have employed American citizens to do the job.
But then it would have cost more all-around. I DO think it’s an issue that we outsource so much of our labor but you’re right that this isn’t a “new” thing.
The DM mentioned that the berets in 2002 were made by a Canadian company.
But I am surprised that the uniforms were made in China since Lauren usually uses Malaysia, Vietnam and sometimes Lesotho. Me thinks they were probably made elsewhere but China is the go to when talking about sweatshop-esque manufactoring.
They should have just gone J.Crew. It still wouldn’t be American made but at least it would have been a bit more updated Americana prep and made in Italy where the quality at least looks better. These uniforms are so cheap looking. I’m sure they’re made of polyester and the shoes are some plastic vinyl. Gah.
And double breasted suits! Agh.
Not sure about other years, but in 2002, the clothing was made by Roots, a Canadian company. They did have a more casual, fleece kind of beret that became ‘the’ hot seller in SLC. I’m from Utah, and admit to buying one for each of my girls (after finally locating some… which sold out almost immediately).
The Roots clothing was a bit more casual overall though… and fleece items were appropriate for the colder, winter weather.
Also worth noting that the 2002 fleece berets made by Roots sold for $19.95, which was a much more reasonable price to pay for a cute fleece, olympic, USA hat, than the $55 price tag on these RL berets.
http://www.abqjournal.com/pix/olympics/
I love Roots. Great stuff, cool clothes, well made. All over Canada. Next year when we move back…
Might work for the French team… butt ugly for US
Two P.S.’s
1. The men look so handsome by God they really dropped the cake on the floor with the woman’s uniform. That tie, the skirt, those shoes – ugh.
2. No matter what the first name is that precede it I can’t help but get a chill and feel I’ll whenever I see the name Sandusky. I feel sorry for all those people with that last name who have to deal with that, the images the name brings up that have to be squashed.
It’s funny you say that, because we have a sportscaster here in Baltimore that is on our NBC station and is the “voice of the Ravens” who is named Gerry Sandusky. I feel so bad for the guy.
That sucks. It’s like having the last name “Hitler”.
*feel I’ll vomit
Ugh, I’ve got to stay off celebitchy on my phone. Autocorrect makes me sound like a complete moron.
Wow, that’s even worse. Poor guy must hate introducing himself over the phone to strangers.
And yes sadly, Sandusky is now up there in the list of names that you avoid.
I don’t like them, seem way to stuffy, I feel like I should pick up a game of croquet and refer to my dog as Buffy.. Berets are awful.. Why choose Ralph Lauren, he’s overrated, to me anyway.
Those weirdo skirts at the very least ought to be optional. The ladies should get the choice of that mess or slacks.
Ditto. I bet when it comes down to it, some of the women will insist on the slacks
I know I would, that skirt is simply hideous.
Yes, the women should have a choice which item they prefer. That skirt with socks and oxfords(?) is just too much!
The shoes are white Nu-buck derby’s..I own a pair & I love them..very summer time gear. I wear mine with seersucker pedal pushers. Or if I am on vacation somewhere hot and I don’t know anyone, pastel shorts.
I really can’t get over how ugly someone as experienced as RL can make a simple white skirt look. I really hope the ladies have some veto power.
You know who else wears berets? The entire freaking US Army. And they have for over a decade now. I don’t hear anyone saying they “look french”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berets_of_the_United_States_Army
If anything, that’s who I think RL was trying to emulate. That and the US olympic team from the chariots of fire period. Still better than the cowboy hats, and a wink (albeit a derivative one) to fashion of the past.
As for the made in China thing-yea it stinks, but I’m willing to bet if we research uniforms in previous Olympics that they were made abroad as well. Don’t see why it is a big deal now.
Exactly
slow news day?
As for the made in China thing-yea it stinks, but I’m willing to bet if we research uniforms in previous Olympics that they were made abroad as well. Don’t see why it is a big deal now.
It is a big deal THIS year because so many people are out of work in THIS country. Those jobs making the uniforms should have been done by Americans. I don’t remember how much the uniforms cost but it would have made a huge difference for many people here. Many of us are tired of good jobs being sent overseas when people here are in need of work.
the women’s uniform looks like some expensive boarding school autumn/winter uniform. the ones that look good in it are usually queens of the school, and the ones that don’t gets mocked automatically.
i’m sure the athletes have better things to meangirl fellow athletes. but the media will have a field day on So-and-so in such clothes, wa wa wa.
this whole uniform gig, plus the scandal over athletes photographs. way to go, media & politicians!
olympics nowadays. sports apparently not enough.
Eh, Olympians are people too. I personally know a few and know at least one who occasionally pops into this site. Who doesn’t love gossip and being sometimes bitchy- Olympians they’re just like us! 🙂
It looks like these athletes aren’t heading to the Olympics, but to military school instead. And this whole beret thing being ‘too French’ is complete garbage. Don’t the green berets wear *gasp* berets?
I don’t think the design is as bad as everyone is making it out to be. It’s very classic, professional & nostalgic of old 1950s-60s America. Yes, the berets need to go. They’re plain awful & are beatnik mixed with classic, that’s why it looks off. But the rest of the uniforms are nice. Even the skirts, socks & shoes! It’s conservative & a throwback to a more innocent time in our history (remember poodle skirts & saddle shoes with white fold down socks? Anyone? The movie Grease?!)
I actually love the uniforms, including the woman’s version! He said he was doing a homage to the last time the games were in England, and he succeeded.
Regarding the website:
I hate fleece. I would never make my dog wear a fleece USA pull over.
(yes, they’re selling those)
Regarding uniform:
Obviously he made these with models in mind, not athletes….
If you want to make them look more American and less French just trade the berets for reversed baseball caps and the job’s done.
Actually just a regular baseball cap (doesn’t have to be reversed) would suffice.
True. Or they could have green berets. There’s nothing more Amercian than a Green Beret!
Or perhaps use the same blue that matches the American flag? It’s not red, white, and navy blue, is it?
USA has never had great uniforms. As far back as I can remember.
If designer clothes are outsourced in China, then why are they so expensive? My stuff from Walmart is made in China….
Shit yeah, where is Cinna when you need him?
I had beautiful suits made for me in China when I lived there for a couple of hundred dollars each. I can’t imagine where the money went for these uniforms.
Well, berets are French; and the French flag shares the same colors as the U.S. flag…
I don’t care for the style of the uniforms either, especially the female version. There doesn’t’ even seem to be an American flag on any of the clothes.
The “made in China” criticism is right on target, especially since our country has a huge jobs crisis. Imagine the jobs that could have been generated if Ralph Lauren and the other American clothing sponsors had decided to make the uniforms here.
Yuk. Did Lauren design the women’s uniform to be that ugly on purpose? What is his message here? If you are a female athlete, you normally dress this ugly? Those socks and shoes belong in a golf course.
…I actually really like the mens uniform :/ . I think it looks smart, and I’ve got no problem with the berets either- quite a few countries Army’s wear berets if I remember correctly. I think if you ditched the skirt for the women, and gave them trousers, it would probably work better.
Isn’t Nike known for having terrible sweatshops worldwide? They don’t have issues with that though, just Ralph. I wish all was American made. But its more expensive and there are a ton of athletes to dress. And yes, the costumes are fug. But they usually are.
They wouldn’t be so bad without the hats but what bugs me is the fact the women have to wear skirts, the men can wear pants.
Why can’t they all wear the same uniform?
This all looks very 50ish and 80ish to me. The guys look fine but the women and those little “anklets” are pretty horrible. These are not school girls after all. The only thing that bugs me is “made in China”. We need to stop supporting/buying crap made in China and it should have started here in my opinion. We have a work force that could have made this for our athletes. To send it out to save a few pennies and that is all that is saved in the long run is simply ridiculous and shameful.
I’m afriad to find out where ours (Canada) were made.
as an ad, I love it. I love Ralph Lauren all the way, I wish as a teen I could have afforded his clothes.
I do think the uniforms should have been made in the USA, for all the reason people mentioned above.
At the very least, having been made in China, they won’t last long and everyone will forget anyway.
God, I am really sick of hearing anything French being used as some sort of an insult.
Supposedly these were based off the uniforms the US team wore the last time the Olympics were in London in 1948, but I couldn’t find any comparison pictures.
I’m so-so on these-I don’t think they look horrible (although I’d probably lose the socks on the women’s uniform), they’re uniforms, and if it weren’t for the whole manufacturing controversy, no one would still be talking about them.
I don’t think this is a jab at France, just seems more French than American. They have berets and what appears to be a French flag on their caps. It’s just confusing.
@ grabbyhands “God, I am really sick of hearing anything French being used as some sort of an insult.”
My advice: GET USED TO IT. 🙂
My mom is French and half my family lives out there (I have dual citizenship) so I get it from both sides: Anti-French from some of my fellow Americans and Anti-American from some of my French family/friends.
I used to be really defensive/sensitive about that sh*t but I’m just over it at this point. Both countries are incredible and the imaginary competition between the two is just comical to me at this point.
The blazer with the scarf and the knee length skirt looks COMPLETELY like a flight attendant uniform. I don’t hate the men’s look, and the berets are fine. But the women’s look is a bit silly I think.
So glad it’s not just the Aussies who dislike our teams’ outfits every four years (in fairness – what can you do with green and gold?). As for the berets when I saw them all I could think of was this –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjG7NEtjma0
The men’s is OK but the women’s looks bad.
They should have them made in America, and if an “iconic American designer” like R L won’t do that, find someone who will. Same for all the countries, each unifirm should be made by the people of that country.
I can’t believe how many ppl are sooo focus on the made in China bit. With economics going global, do ppl even realize that the majority of American companies outsource some part of their business abroad but that profit returns to the US? And that buy doing so it makes the market competitive, keep prices low etc. If companies had to create jobs in the US, price would go up and ppl will also say it’s expensive and ppl buy less = less profit and then items may not compete with foreign companies selling it for cheaper. It is all about the profit. So the made in China complaint is just moot.
You didn’t just seriously justify outsourcing American jobs, did you?
The majority of people who sold you that ideology are the same who do not pay taxes and pocket the profits.
Funny how America used to have a really strong workforce and economy until the upper 3% started serving that Kool Aid to everyone. Amazing how this country managed to be so fiscally strong for 100 years before the super-corporations decided not to share the wealth.
That’s not a political argument, either. Read your history. It’s all a ruse.
I realise that every country outsources to China, but that doesn’t necessarily justify the outsourcing.
Ralph Lauren’s quote just highlights the hypocrisy and even though it has enraged many, I think it’s wonderful because the quote stands out like a sore thumb, highlighting an issue that is hurting many domestic economies, not just the United States.
So many jobs are lost around the world just so designers and other manufacturers of clothes have clothes made in China.
Ousourcing is a fact of life these days, no question, but when it comes go the uniforms for the US Olympic team, national pride should prevail over the bottom line.
Ralph Lauren is a multi- billion dollar company who gets a lot of free exposure for designing the uniforms (negative attention now). Maximizing profit should not have even been a concern here.
As others have said…you have obviously indulged in way too much corporate cool aid. Your comment that it doesn’t matter if somethings made in China…the profits return to the u.s. Is simply not true. The profits go into the corporation selling the item to us and they in turn give a big chunk of that to their CEO and other execs, with a portion going to their richest stock holders. Regular old Americans like you and me don’t see a dime. Furthermore, the false argument that if things were made here we couldn’t afford them is bull as well. Yes, those overpaid execs among us might have to take a pay cut but corporations could well afford manufacturing here, especially if we had national health care like every other developed country in the world!
Plus part of the problem with this is that when a U.S. corporation manufactures in the United States, its income is subject to a 35% tax. If the same corporation moves those jobs to some other country, it can normally structure the deal to reduce its U.S. taxes to zero. So on a federal level, we’re not gaining that extra chunk of $$ to assist the people who lost their job to someone overseas. In fact, it really just accelerates everything by providing incentives to companies to outsource.
Trying to post a link to what the French are wearing…but it’s not working. Google it, it’s so much more flattering and casual than this fugly mess.
Can’t find it. When I google it all I get is endless sites for the US team looking too “French”.
*edit* it took me forever and a day but I found a site listing most of the countries. And as much as I hate to say it we’re actually one of the most stylish. South Korea is what our uniforms should have looked like. They’re like better versions of it. Spain’s is god awful, Italy’s is boring, Russia looks like a paisley nightmare, and Hong Kong’s looks outdated. I like Germany’s (so colorful), and Jamaica brought it (very cool and very modern).
Here’s the link if anyone is interested:
http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/133498
I’m surprised that most of them have pants for men and skirts for women. Are they all retro?
What probably bothers me the most is the statement implying that Ralph Lauren is doing this out of the goodness of his heart. He’s doing it for the publicity and advertising. I’m kind of glad he’ll get a taste of the back lash.
I think any kind of head covering would be open to criticism because in general, Americans don’t wear hats. I think a cowboy hat or baseball hat would be too much of a stereotype. How about a bare head? Imagine that.
thanks for the link! the S. Korea’s outfits are super cute – you are right, it’s what USA’s should be AND pants for women. Love Jamaica’s and France’s outfits I would ripoff. The New Zealand blazers are adorbs. Notice you don’t see a giant designer logo on any of the outfits? The Puma logo on Jamaica is visible, but appropriately scaled.
That is the ugliest effing skirt I’ve ever seen.
Those berets are horrid, have a military feel to them.
But yes, the contradiction and hypocrisy is ironic. I reckon J Edgar Hoover has undergone a few million revolutions in his grave regarding ‘Team USA uniforms being manufactured in communist China.
Ironies abound.
I think the UK has the best uniforms so far, and that’s saying a lot considering they’re designed by Stella McCartney.
Ehh…the men’s outfits aren’t TOO fugly. The women’s? GROSS! And is anyone really surprised at where RL gets his clothes made?
Why oh why didn’t they get Michael Kors or Donna Karan or Oscar de la Renta to do this????? The female outfits would have been much better and although everyone has things made in China, they would have known to get a US firm(they are few but they exist) to make them in the US.
They should have made the lower half of the outfits the darker colour and not given the ladies those shoes and socks to wear~talk about cutting the leg in half…wow…….
Apparently, not much different than a few of the past Ralph Lauren outings for Team USA (2008, for instance). always blue jacket, and beret. although now it’s more like a showercap beret than a “french/paperboy” beret.
http://www.fark.com/comments/7205256/The-United-States-Olympic-Committee-is-contracting-designer-Ralph-Lauren-to-ensure-that-at-Olympics-opening-ceremonies-every-American-athlete-looks-like-a-preppy-yacht-club-douche
some other countries’ uniform pictures are there too.
i like the colorful german uniforms (although dunno about the cut, but the color is fine).
and i like the captain america idea for the track team uniform.
I agree with the shower cap shape. I really liked the 2008 outfits because the reference was (supposedly) the 1936 olympics and late 30s-early 40s fashion. And the RL logo was just as large. I don’t think I noticed the logo because the outfits were so sharp and flattering that is, the blazers were single breasted, women had really cute straight leg pants, and the caps were those Kangol-like newsboy ones
the red white and blue matching windbreaker sets were perfectly fine. they’re athletes, not flight attendants.
The swimming team beret looks more like wearing
speedo’s on their heads.hehhehe
Not defending outsourcing but just stating the facts of economics; this is how it works. I studied international economics and the US economy is yes, weaker than before – but it’s not as bad as in other parts of the world. It will rebound sooner or later- i am certain. This article says it better than I can explain – saves me from typing it all out http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2003-08-24/commentary-outsourcing-jobs-is-it-bad
My boyfriend studied economics and I bet he’d agree with you. This will be a nice topic for us to fight about over some BBQ tonight 😉
Anyway, I read the article and I didn’t find it to be exactly a ringing endorsement for outsourcing jobs. The end point seemed to be that the solution is to keep creating jobs through new technology & innovations to off-set the jobs that this country loses due to outsourcing. No matter what, somebody gets f*cked and certain industries (like tech) suffer the most.
I guess the silver lining is that we’re helping the global economy BUT at the expense of many of our fellow Americans.
Anyway, thanks for the link. Interesting stuff.
I feel like this is controversy for controversy’s sake. Yes, it’s disappointing that the uniforms were made in China, but unless they are going to scrap every single piece of clothing, equipment, and merchandise that isn’t made in the USA, this holds no water. Also, what did people really expect? Until people are willing to spend a good deal more for American made goods the vast majority of our consumer products will not be produced domestically. The news media needs to get a grip and stop stirring the pot.
Let us return to admiring Ryan Lochte’s gorgeous American profile.
the beret has a french flag on it doesn’t it? or is it a red and white stripe against the blue beret?
God these are horrible, but there are worse ones out there this year. But the best looking one I’ve seen so far is South Koreas and France, they are really nice.
Wait, will the actual uniform have the Ralph Lauren Polo logo on the breast pocket?
If so, Ralph Lauren should be paying the advertising fee to the U.S. Olympic Committee, as it is the most brazen example of the product placement the Manolo has ever seen.
I would assume the trade-off is that RL foots the cost for production, distribution etc in exchange for the free publicity.
@Manolo: I believe that RL is providing the uniforms, so in a way thru his sponsorship he is paying for the advertising.
If the US was willing to pay for the clothes then I think they would have every right to be upset about where they were manufactured. However, unlike many other countries, the US Olympic team is privately funded and relies on the generosity of sponsors.
And, as an Army soldier who’s had to wear a damn stupid beret for years now I sympathize with the athletes who have to wear them. While I love the idea of a beret in theory, in reality they are wretched and only flattering about about 2% of the population. A former band director of mine was an Olympic athlete, and they wore pretty cool fedoras one year (1992 maybe?).
It’s very easy for people to question why weren’t these uniforms or clothing in general, “Made in the USA”. As a “working stiff” designer, myself, I am very well aware of this. There really are very few places in the US that can even sew up these garments, and, quite frankly, the work quality is not as strong as the imports. Kids are not majoring in sewing at the top colleges, like Parsons and FIT; it’s not as “glamorous” as designing. The tailoring and the technical skills behind a well crafted garment is an art of a bygone era (and those people, mostly immigrants, are dying off) in this country. The plain truth is that you just can’t easily find a shop here, the skilled staff, that could handle the production, nor, can you even find quality fabric mills- they’re all gone. I’ve had plenty of garments produced over my 20 year career, in some very high- end, designer level companies, made in the USA in our sample rooms, and guess what, more often than not, the product is of a finer quality when imported.
People can balk all they want, but you just get more bang for your buck and as long as we, as American consumers want to buy things cheap, it’s not going to reverse back.
Certainly Ralph Lauren, or any other manufacturer, who is going to have their product seen on an international stage, is not going to put out anything other than stellar just so they can say it was made domestically (I’m not talking about whether the uniforms are ugly or not), and I think it’s wrong to try to hang the “Made In The USA” moniker solely on their shoulders. Our government made off shore manufacturing incentives so strong, and, in turn, we poured so much of our money and efforts into setting up shops elsewhere, that we ruined the industry for ourselves.
Interesting POV..good to hear the perspective from someone who’s inside the industry.
This is really not an issue for me. We do live in a global economy, and while it would have been nice if it could have been “Made in America” that is not realistic in this day and age.
If there is any sticking point for me it’s because I just think they are simply fugly. Since the committee didn’t/wouldn’t/couldn’t do “Made in America” AND it’s the Summer Olympics, I think a style that is inherently American would have been nice…I don’t know maybe country club casual? Incorporate baseball caps (America’s pastime) say if they went really casual Khaki’s/Khaki shorts, polo shirt, and baseball cap (America’s pastime)? Something better then this disaster could have been designed for these deserving athletes.
Ralph is donating his brand of clothing, not the first batch of clothing of his made out of the USA, i’m sure. Imagine if they threw out all of the foreign made Nike, other apparel as well – wonder what the USA athletes would be wearing then….
That’s how Ralph Lauren designs. I wished they go with somebody more…just more. Or better yet, less cookie cutter. This is not a good representation of the US.
Also, I think it looks more British than French esp double breasted jackets & RL’s logo on the breast. (THEY ARE NOT KEEPING THAT ON THERE ARE THEY??) So corporate. Ugh!
Also nobody will look good in that skirt length. Even the volleyball players will be fug.
Re: If they’re talking about flag motifs then it could be that the French is all stripes, 3 big stripes, whereas US flag is stars and stripes. I googled it to look for more different views. There’s not one star in the entire design. It’s just ugly period.
There’s a giant Ralph Lauren logo though.
Don’t insult us Brits please. A British person would not be seen dead with what they are wearing. If you haven’t been to England recently then come on over because last time I checked out English women’s clothes which was today they sure weren’t wearing horrid skirts like that. LOL
Re. the “too French” criticism, I think it has less to do with the berets than it does with the fact that the red, whit and blue is styled to look exactly like the French flag- especially the ascots.
The women’s uniforms are flight attendant fug.
Obviously the Olympics are too lame to know style but I still say they should have gone Tom Ford. If there is a man who does justice for both men and women it’s that beautiful man. He would of made our team look insanely gorgeous. Obviously Tom is way to high up there to ever degin to do something as lowly as Olympic uniforms, but I imagine he would have brought it.
So England got Stella, meh to that, I wonder who France and Italy got…
Any way the Ralph LAuren crap is ugly. The giant polo ponies are idiotic and the stuff looks cheap. I’ve only seen his Macy’s collection in person and that stuff is hideous. It looks like something you’d oddly enough buy from the flea market with giant “USA” logos in random places and “London” running down the sides. It’s hideously tacky.
France went with Adidas — their uniform is very sophisticated and minimalist. Not silly and OLD, like the Ralph Lauren uniforms the U.S. got.
Italy went with Armani.
http://www.worldsstrangest.com/mental-floss/olympic-uniforms-for-the-2012-opening-ceremonies/
Thanks for the link!
The French uniforms look good. And I also like the Jamaican ones!
I really hate that they’re not made in America, and I really hate they way they look. At this point, I can’t decide which of those two things I hate more. TOTAL FASHION FAIL.
Too dumb looking.
The argument made by the Olympic Committee that Lauren is a sponsor and so ostensibly doing this out of the goodness of his heart is bs. Not only is Lauren getting the proceeds from all sales of Olympic clothing which is substantial (he’s giving the Olympic Comm a10% royalty fee) it’s my understanding the committee paid to have uniforms that are not only ugly but also make the whole team look like Polo players. Could the Lauren logo be any bigger. Another fine example of American “patriotism” by an American corporation. Tee shirts and jeans would be more American!
I’m always surprised that there isn’t a competition each games to design the clothing. Give some fledgling American designer their big break and all. NBC could even make it a show like Project Runway in the leadup to the games, and start getting people revved up for opening ceremony
When I first saw the picture on TV, I wondered why they were featuring the French Olympic team. Those berets need to go!! The women’s outfits are hideous–bad length for the skirt and ?socks?–RL is kidding, right? Being made in China is the least of the problems with these clothes.
I hate the Olympics. Too commercial these days. Liked it better before everyone tried to make money off of it.
Are those tiny little stars next to the stripes on the berets? They are soooo small I cannot even tell. But I have no problem seeing the gigantic Ralph Lauren logo. The uniforms are done. I’m not a fan. Overall, I think they look awful, will not flatter most female athletes and are a fail.
The “outrage” is just faux patriotism. The China olympic team has Nike uniforms. Spain has uniforms by a Russian designer. We live in a global world, it’s inevitable.
My true outrage it how ugly the uniforms are. The double-breasted jackets on the men look sooooo old. And the wanna-be military beret looks like a joke.
Oh, and the over-sized logo is ridiculous. It looks like a preppy child at his birthday party — “Look, I have a pony on my jacket!”
I don’t know what the big fuss is about. The uniforms are elegant and very classy. I loved them.
I don’t think they are elegant or classy. They look somewhat similar to the South Korea uniforms, only the U.S. ones are older. And uglier.
http://www.worldsstrangest.com/mental-floss/olympic-uniforms-for-the-2012-opening-ceremonies/
Thank you for the Link be ny 🙂
Aren’t alot of American FLAGS also made in China???
Even the French have better taste when it comes to clothes than the Americans and it’s such a cliché to believe they would wear a beret just because they are French. Not many people wear them in France.
I have to admit the clothes above look so old fashioned and it’s not even elegant at all.
I want to see the swimmer in a singlet
I much prefer some of the other countries uniforms. Especially South Korea. Not jealous of GB though. I mean really? It looks like they’re attending a funeral.
I can see why people would complain. First of all berets are some of the most internationally known French things so yeah I can see how the first thing the mind goes to is “too French” honestly it could be the French teams uniform. There isn’t much about this uniform that gives it a uniquely American feel. Where are our beloved bald eagles? Huh? I feel the tiny polo logo should be replaces with a bald eagle circled in stars and the ties/scarfs/and ascots should be covered with various star patterns. I mean it is the Olympics. It’s ok to look like your country threw up patriotism all over you. I really can’t understand how they justify making uniforms in china though. Maybe someone wanted to pocket a little extra cash.
Nothing says American like a bunch of french looking uniforms made by Chinese people. Sadly I”m not even being sarcastic. This is just pretty much what we’ve come too. I’d be more surprised if the uniforms WERE made in the US.
The berets are a little over the top, but the blazers are quite nice. Though Americans would no doubt prefer Walmart tracksuits.
Sure, the blazers are “quite nice” . . . for the Senior Olympics.
Nobody under the age of 80 should be wearing that. Unless they are under the age of 8 (I have a pony on my jacket!).
Is this a joke? They look like rejects from the “Love Boat.”
But maybe it would look better if the athlete was a praying mantis? Maybe Ralph Lauren can photo-shop the athletes like this: http://tinyurl.com/7ps28z9
But no, even photoshop couldn’t make Ralph Lauren’s clothes look good. He wouldn’t know “fresh,” “modern,” or “youthful” it it bit him. Hey! Maybe he can design for Duchess Kate? That’s a win-win!
So funny yet so true. Never laughed so hard!
+1 Still laughing…
You know what? With bare legs and sandals or ballet flats that skirt might not be so bad. But with ankle socks, OMFG. Put a poodle patch on it and you’re back in 1955.
The thing I object to most is the Ralph Lauren label standing out like a sore thumb front and centre on the jacket , such a crass move.
Again, here are the French outfits, done by Adidas:
http://www.relaxbattle.com/adidas-habille-lequipe-de-france/?lang=en
Sorry, I should have made my point clearer: to criticize the American uniforms as “too French” is giving Ralph Lauren too much credit. As you can see, the actual French uniforms are stylish and modern – the polar opposite of Lauren’s design.
The athletes should ll stand together and ban/refuse to wear the outfits because they were not made in America.
Shame on Ralph Lauren! I will never buy anything Ralph Lauren ever again.
“An American company that supports American athletes” but obviously doesnt support the American work force! Sickening!
I think the outfits actually look classy and smart. I do not like the shoes for the women’s outfit and the skirt might be better if it were pleated. But that’s really the only problem I have with the uniform.
Nobody over 60 wears a beret in France anymore… so that’s a stupid comparison to make.
The beret/the outfit is in honor of the military and I’m glad they chose to do that this year. I have a friend (a girl) in Afghanistan right now–she did ROTC in college and I often saw her wearing a beret type hat in her “dress uniform.” Lots of people in the military wear outfits similar to this one.
Also Raph Lauren is known for its extremely preppy clothing–if Team USA didn’t want to go for the prep look, they should have gone with something else.
Disgraceful. I just have no words for how INTENTIONALY hurtful that is to the American people.
I really wish the freaking foreigners that now run America would stop making fun of Americans (with acts like this) while they internally destroy their country.
Its just sickening how inmmature this joke was.
Something I do object to also is why do the women only have to wear skirts or dresses and not the trousers. It does seem a bit sexist personally especially when the skirts they chose look damn right awful.
BITCHES, PLEASE! All this talk about supporting the American economy, yet how many of you dress exclusively in clothing made in the U.S.A?
The real issue is that these are butt fug ugly uniforms.
Getting a real air hostess vibe from the women’s uniform! Just put her in some heels…
I absolutely love the uniforms for the US (& UK teams). If you think they look bad, check out what the Australian team will be wearing. It looks like what elderly Lawn Bowlers wore in the 1930’s. Hideous!
I absolutely love the uniforms for the US (& UK teams). If you think they look bad, check out what the Australian team will be wearing. It looks like what elderly Lawn Bowlers wore in the 1930’s. Hideous!
http://nine-to-five.whereilive.com.au/lifestyle/story/australian-olympic-teams-opening-ceremony-uniform-revealed/
Has anybody checked out what Lauren is charging for that outfit? He’s charging $650 for the blazer and $450 for the skirt.
As. Freaking. If.
indescribably awful.
I’m french and i’m so laughing at you US AND A *evil laugh*
Seriously, Ralph Lauren needs to go, there’re plenty of american creators I don’t understand how Lauren got the deal.
Reminds me of Mauser’s rival police academys uniforms in Police Academy 3,
Reminds me of Mauser’s rival police academys uniforms in Police Academy 3.
Not beautiful clothes really, but apart that…Ralph Lauren’s logo is enormous: this is the Ralph Lauren Olimpic Team, not the USA!!!
umm i think the whole so-called controversy is stupid. if this designer was hired then his choices should be respected. otherwise don’t hire him. and the uniforms look ok to me.
Here is a slideshow of Olympic uniforms from other countries.
http://olympics.time.com/2012/07/13/olympic-uniforms-the-best-the-worst-and-the-just-plain-weird/slide/france/#end
Well, I am a Canadian and we are not happy with our outfits as they are much too casual and the pants look like the chinos worne in the 60’s. However, we do have Canada right across the jacket, they were designed by The Hudson’s Bay Company and made in Canada. Apart from that, they don’t even have a hat. The Bay did a great job on our outfits for Vancouver but these are so amateuristic. Maybe the US and Canada need to go back to Roots. They always came through with great uniforms
.