Last time, we did a deep dive on Ralph Lauren’s designs for Team USA for the Opening Ceremony. This time, we have the Closing Ceremony uniforms. Ralph Lauren’s relationship with Team USA began in 2008. Which, coincidentally, is the last time the company had an original idea for the American team. If you think the repetition of the blue blazer from the Opening Ceremony uniform was problematic, get ready. Let me introduce you to Ralph Lauren, outfit repeater.
Beijing 2008
The Closing Ceremony is much more relaxed than its Opening Ceremony counterpart. Athletes do not march in as countries but in a mixed crowd. Thus the uniforms do not need to look good en masse, but do need to be comfortable and fun, and with any outfit for the diverse group of athletes, look good on many different body types.
In 2008, Ralph Lauren kept it very simple – a white polo shirt paired with white Bermuda shorts cinched with a red, white and blue silk belt. The white newsboy caps from the Opening Ceremony uniform returned, though in practice few athletes wore the caps on the field. Red, white, and blue leather sneakers finished off the outfit (these sneakers are almost identical to the ones for the Tokyo 2020 opening ceremony uniform).
Overall, the look is simple and comfortable. The Ralph Lauren pony logo is prominent on both the shirt and shorts but it is only mildly distracting. Darker shorts would have been more practical but the fit flattered lots of different shapes.
Score: 8/10
London 2012
Unlike in 2008, Ralph Lauren created different options for men and women. Men sported a long-sleeve white polo, white pleated trousers, a white newsboy cap, white bucks and striped belt. Women wore a white long sleeve blouse, white knee-length skirt, and ankle socks, along with the same striped belt and newsboy cap. As originally modeled, the sleeves for both the men’s and women’s tops were intended to be rolled up.
These are impractical, unflattering, and fussy. The skirts are an awkward length and when matched with ankle socks, make any woman look like a squat 4-year-old. The trousers were wrinkled even in the promo photos. The team looked like nurses and orderlies escaped from an old-time institution.
Score: 2/10
Rio 2016
Not all white! Well, sort of. The uniform for Rio included white Bermuda shorts for both the men and the women (though the women’s were barely mid-thigh length), paired with a blue and white t-shirt trimmed with red on the collar. Athletes could choose either a red, white, or blue oxford shirt to top it off. The multi-colored boat shoes returned from the Opening Ceremony uniform. Also making a comeback: the red, white, and blue striped belt.
Does Ralph Lauren not know how to make another belt? Yes it is silk, but seriously, 3 times in a row? Also, the designers have clearly never attended an event in a stadium before. What is with all the white bottoms? At the Closing Ceremony, athletes often sit on the grass field or on seats that have seen better days. The striped t-shirt screams “Where’s Waldo” but the range of color is a nice change. It also looks very comfortable and I do love those shoes.
Score: 7/10
Tokyo 2020
All white all the time! This time, it is white skinny jeans with a white polo shirt and white windbreakers with blue hoods. The shirt and jacket include red and blue piping on the edges. The jeans feature “USA” near the ankle in a 1960s NASA-like font. Also included were personalized navy blue face masks, which were required by Tokyo organizers. Ralph Lauren described the look as “crisp, clean, and sporty,” with an emphasis on the use of sustainable materials and practices.
Oh, I get it. Sustainable as in recycled, as in they just used leftover stuff from previous uniforms. The jeans and sneakers were copies from the Rio 2016 Opening Ceremony uniform, and the white polos from 2008. The same exact belts are back for the fourth time. Given the heat (rightfully) predicted for Tokyo, skinny cut denim and a windbreaker seem odd choices from a comfort standpoint. Clearly, the designers do not do their own laundry or throw their clothes out after wearing them once. Stop with the white pants!
Score: 4/10
Paris 2024
Unveiled last week, the Closing Ceremony uniforms for Team USA this time around include white straight fit jeans with textured knees, a white polo shirt with red and blue edging, a white racer-style jacket, red, white, and blue baseball hat, Team USA lettered belt, and cream suede bucks. The jackets feature several patches including one representing the specific sport of each athlete.
What in the NASCAR ridiculousness is this? I think Ralph Lauren is laughing at us now. Along with being a repeat of a repeat in so many elements, it is incredibly impractical. More white pants, an even heavier jacket, and a poor fit on everything. But hey, at least we get a different belt.
Score: 2/10
–Alison Brown