Fashionable Pride and Glory: A Look at Winter Olympics Uniforms

By Gordon Powers

A tired tradition, the Olympics do not have the same glow as in their heyday. The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, shrouded in geopolitical tensions over China's treatment of its Uyghur population and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, are on track to have the lowest ever rating on its main broadcaster, NBC. Taking place just six months after the end of the delayed Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, there has been little anticipation for the start of the Winter Games.

With adjustments to Olympics scheduling and complications from strict quarantine policies, these Winter Olympics look a lot different from those that preceded. However, the Parade of Nations during the traditional Opening Ceremony still offers nations the chance to show off their athletes in the best new gear, inspiring pride and awe in viewers at home.

Historically, national Olympics uniforms showcased athletes at their best, with daring and chic costumes. Big-time designers relish the opportunity to support their nation and receive worldwide publicity for the highly-anticipated outfits. Although there is much creative freedom, the uniforms usually include national colors, landmarks, and symbols. This year's designer for the Beijing staff and officials at the Games, Professor He Yang of the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, says that 'uniform design must first convey the characteristics of the culture of the host country.'

Here are some historical favorites from North American Olympic teams, before we get into the best looks at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

In 1980, the United States and the Soviet Union were at a peak of the Cold War, with a large global boycott of the Moscow 1980 Summer Olympics due to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. The Lake Placid 1980 Winter Olympics saw the return of the US to the international competition, with a loud Americana howdy. Levi Strauss & Co. designed the "Great Out West" uniforms with tan shearling jackets, cozy mittens, and large white cowboy hats.

The Albertville 1992 Winter Olympics saw Canada in large Russian-esque fur headbands and all-white ski jackets with a maple leaf crest. You can imagine the jackets on a vintage rack somewhere, awaiting their renaissance.

Although not strictly a national team uniform, the Mexican alpine ski uniforms at the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics featured Day of the Dead designs. A six-time former Olympian, Hubertus von Hohenlohe, designed the refreshing and culturally vibrant outfits.

Athleisure company Lululemon designed Canada's two uniforms, one for the opening ceremony and the other for the closing ceremony. Extensively lauded on social media apps like TikTok, the outfits have plentiful red and white puff. There are an array of outerwear options from parkas and vests to trapper caps and jogger pants. The down jackets can be worn like a backpack for warmer temperatures, perfect for this year's completely artificial snow, a first for a Winter Olympics. The outfits are simple, sleek, and offer a degree of individuality with all their options.

Team designer since 2008, Ralph Lauren put together this striking look for the United States team. Large hooded anoraks with temperature-adjusting technology, alongside hats and USA gloves, create the fit. Using US-grown wool, recycled polyester, and recycled nylon, the fashion brand employed several companies to assemble different parts of the outfits, spending several hours on each item. One Team USA closing ceremony jacket takes seven hours to create, with hundreds of people putting together the uniforms for that event. The closing ceremony look will consist of thick turtlenecks with Ralph Lauren's classic American flag graphic and white Olympic rings. White and red winter boots with colorful laces add to the versatility and high-fashion vibe of the uniforms.

Bright and fun, Kazakhstan’s Winter Olympics uniforms have blue and white to represent wintry elements like ice and snow. The black bottoms speak to the color's cultural significance as a symbol of good luck. Dmitry Shishkin of Russia designed the simple and effective outfits with ZIBROO, a Kazak clothing store.

The Australian outfitter Sportscraft opted for a more refined look, with a dark-green coat made from a wool blend. The inside of the coat has the names of Australia's 256 Winter Olympians, and the buttons on the coat have the Olympic crest of the country. Brave for the wintry weather, the look has some fuss but little frill, launching itself into a crowd of puffy competitors.

Le Coq Sportif, after a brief hiatus of 50 some years, is back as the designer for the French Winter Olympics team. The classic tricolor design, highly evocative of the country's flag, includes a long down jacket. Phrased "Les Rayons de la Victoire", or Rays of Victory, this look is simultaneously patriotic and tasteful.

The Chinese have some crazy cool uniforms for their technical staff and volunteers. After a selection process from a pool of 10,000 designs for the outfits, they "bear fine traditional Chinese aesthetic elements" with red, gray, and black and natural scenes on the body of the jackets. The volunteers' outfits are blue and white with "Great Wall gray."

Capes. Who thought this was okay? The team wore large poncho-like garments, similar to the French tricolor scheme, but with none of the sleekness nor pride.