When it comes to Team USA, the answer is: RalphLauren, but also… Kim Kardashian? Yep; the celebrity-turned-Skims founder will be supplying some of the skivvies that your favorite sports stars will sport in Tokyo this summer, while Lauren’s eponymous label is once again decking out America’s most elite athletes for the Olympics’ Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Keep reading to find out more about Team USA’s designer duds, why this year’s uniforms are the eco-friendliest ever—and whether Team Canada has actually got America beat this year when it comes to killer streetwear.
Team USA’s Olympic Uniform Opening Ceremony
In July, Ralph Lauren—which has designed Team USA’s ceremonial attire since the 2008 Olympics in Beijing—debuted their 2020 Opening Ceremony uniforms, which will be worn by more than 1,100 American athletes as they enter the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo. The unisex look features a navy blazer atop a blue-and-white striped T-shirt, paired with dark blue, slim-fit jeans. Completing the ensemble are a striped belt, flag-print, neckerchief-style scarf and white sneakers that also featured red, white and blue stripes. Meanwhile, there are two athletes who sported a different look during the Opening Ceremonies: Team USA’s flag bearers, Sue Bird and Eddy Alvarez, who were outfitted with white denim jackets featuring “RLCoolant technology.” Ralph Lauren said in a statement “disperses heat from the wearer’s skin through a sophisticated device that monitors and optimizes temperature.” “Team USA’s 2020 Opening Ceremony Parade Uniform is a classic all-American look that incorporates sustainable materials within each piece,” the brand said in a statement. In fact, the belt is made from recycled plastic bottles, while the shirt is dyed with a special treatment solution (created by Dow) that allows less water and fewer energy to be used in the dyeing process. Plus, all of the garments were manufactured in the U.S. and even the cotton and wool were domestically grown.
Team USA’s Olympic Uniform Closing Ceremony
Back in April of this year, Ralph Lauren shared several snaps of Team USA’s closing ceremony outfits, modeled by such real-life Olympians as skateboarders Jordyn Barratt and Heimana Reynolds, BMX biker Connor Fields, karateka Sakura Kokumai and water polo star Ashleigh Johnson. The uniform features white jeans paired with a red, white and blue belt, topped with a white jacket accented with a blue hood. (And of course, plenty of American flags and “USA” lettering.) David Lauren, Chief Innovation and Branding Officer and Vice Chairman of the Board at Ralph Lauren, said in a statement. “Following a year marked by isolation and strife, this Summer’s Games are a true testament to the resiliency of the human spirit and the universal power of sport to energize and unite the world. As we come together to celebrate and compete, we must also embrace our responsibility to protect the planet we all call home. As part of this, we are proud to continue to invest in and scale sustainability innovations — dressing our nation’s best and brightest athletes in timeless clothing that has been consciously created.” So far, the reaction to Lauren’s looks has been… mixed. While some reporters have praised the clothing’s “crisp” look, others have called the uber-preppy ensembles “swagless” and “like an English schoolboy outfit.”
Team USA’s Olympic underwear, loungewear and sleepwear
In June, Kardashian revealed that her Skims brand would be designing duds for female athletes’ downtime, as well as what they wear underneath their clothes. “Ever since I was 10 years old, I’ve heard every single detail about the Olympics from my stepdad,” Kardashian wrote on Instagram, referencing Olympic gold medalist Caitlyn Jenner, who was previously married to Kardashian’s mom, Kris Jenner. “When I received the call inviting Skims to be a part of Team USA, every moment I’ve spent admiring the strength and energy of the Olympians from the sidelines came full circle.” The capsule collection, which has been modeled by the likes of soccer star Alex Morgan, track and field athlete DalilahMuhammad and Paralympian Scout Bassett, includes T-shirts, sports bras, leggings, biker shorts, tank tops and more.
What is the Canadian Olympic uniform?
And then there’s Canada’s Closing Ceremonies get-up. Back in April, when Ralph Lauren first unveiled its Closing Ceremonies look for Team USA, Team Canada decided to preview their own ensembles—and the styles couldn’t be more different. Designed by iconic Canadian retailer Hudson’s Bay, the collection would look just as suitable for a day at the skate park as a day at an Olympic event, with graffitied denim jackets on top and white jeans on bottom—a look some have pointed out is basically a “Canadian tuxedo.” Like Ralph Lauren’s apparel, Team Canada’s clothing is getting mixed reviews. GQ called them “the wrong kind of Canadian tuxedo,” while on his HBO show Last Week Tonight, John Oliver declared that the Canadian ensembles were “straight garbage.” However, others think the fresh, iconoclastic feel is something that’s sorely lacking in international competition.
Can I buy the Team USA belt made from soda bottles?
Yep! Check out Ralph Lauren’s Team USA shop online to browse the brand’s entire 2020 Olympics collection. We found the Opening Ceremonies belt in the platform’s men’s section, while the women’s section lists a Closing Ceremonies belt. Both are available for $98.
Where can I buy Team USA outfits?
Ralph Lauren’s entire line of Team USA apparel is available for purchase at RalphLauren.com or at TeamUSAShop.com, as well as in some Ralph Lauren stores. Even better, your purchases help fund the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams.
Can I buy Team USA Skims online?
Yep! The collection just became available for purchase in mid-July at Skims.com, according to Kardashian’s social media.
When are the 2020 Olympics?
The 2020 Olympics (yes, they’re still being called that despite taking place in 2021!) kick off on Friday, July 23, with the Opening Ceremonies and will run through Sunday, August 8.
How to watch the 2020 Olympics
Next, we ranked the 14 best Olympics movies of all time, just in time for the Tokyo Summer Games!
