Designing Olympic uniforms not only gives independent artists a larger platform, but it also allows for countries to develop their own fashion identity. Because the Opening Ceremony took place on boats on the Seine, everyone opted for a more nautical look.
Team Mongolia
Mongolia had the best Opening Ceremony outfit, and the outfits went viral on TikTok and X. The uniforms were designed by Michel&Amazonka, a couture Mongolian fashion brand owned by two sisters. The sisters also made uniforms for Mongolian Airlines and the uniforms for Team Mongolia in the 2020 and 2022 Olympics.
The uniforms successfully highlight Mongolia’s culture in a uniquely trendy way, which is no easy feat. The artists stemmed inspiration from Naadam Festival, the largest gathering in Mongolia with games such as wrestling, archery and horse racing.
Mongolians gather to not only play games, but wear elaborate and colorful outfits unique to the culture. The pair used intricate detailing on the vests to symbolize ‘New Beginnings’ and the Olympics, they said in an interview with GQ.
Team Sri Lanka
Team Sri Lanka’s uniforms were created by Lovi Ceylon as a nod to the nation’s cultural heritage and history. They sported long white garments with intricate gold beading and handmade embroidery to resemble a modern take on outfits worn by the Prince and Princess in the royal court.
There wasn’t much buzz about the team on social media; however, Sports Illustrated ranked country’s Opening Ceremony outfits in “All of the Most Stylish Olympic Team Outfits from Paris 2024 so far,” and Sri Lanka came in third, following Mongolia in first and Mexico in second.
Team Haiti
Styled by Stella Jean, Team Haiti women wore gorgeous skirts, and men wore pants that featured Haitian painter Philippe Dodard’s Passage. Like Mongolia, Haiti took on a more traditional route with a chambray shirt made from Haiti’s “blue cotton.” Men wore a field jacket, and women wore a white short sleeve peplum blazer, that almost resembled a private school uniform.
In my opinion, Team Haiti’s outfits were overhyped on social media. They were nice, but no comparison to outfits like Mongolia or Sri Lanka. I love this uniform because of the cultural twist they threw on it, but I wish they would’ve matched the silhouette better. The women’s uniform seems a bit uncomfortable to wear, and the layers are a lot on top of one another.
Team Taiwan
Several countries did some variation of a suit for the Opening Ceremony, but Team Chinese Taipei, otherwise known as Taiwan, had the best execution. They were styled by a Japanese sportswear brand, Yonex.
The team sported royal blue double-breasted suits with gold buttons for contrast. Underneath the suits, athletes wore a white, high-neck button up. Some athletes wore the blazer buttoned, and some wore it open with a blue and white argyle vest underneath.
Team South Sudan
Since their independence in 2011, South Sudan is still a growing country, but it seems like they are already revolutionary in the fashion world. The team sported an all-black suit with small borders featuring the colors of the South Sudanese flag. There were gold buttons to contrast with the black and embroidered patches on both sides of the blazer. Their outfit was incredibly simple, but they just looked so cool.
Team Spain
Spain managed to bring the heat to the Opening Ceremony with their fiery color palette. Designed by the Spanish sportswear brand Joma, the ladies sported a white button-up with an ombre pleated skirt. The male athletes wore the same button-up with cream trousers.
This is an ideal depiction of how an Olympic Team works with an athleticwear brand without making it tacky. Several teams who worked with brands, like Lululemon, ended up looking too casual for the Opening Ceremony, especially next to teams wearing full suits. Spain maintained this balance perfectly.
Team France
The French managed to find the perfect balance of dressiness and simplicity. They were not about to be outdone in their homeland, especially in the realm of fashion. Men and women dressed in Berluti, a French luxury menswear label. The men wore a single-breasted navy blazer with a lapel representing the French flag, showcasing a gradient burgundy, white, and cerulean. Ladies sported a vest with the same detail on the lapel and wore either slacks or a matching below-the-knee skirt. The team also had a choice between sneakers with the French flag’s colors on the tongue or custom loafers. This look was classic but not boring, which is a difficult balance to achieve.
Team USA
The United States was styled by Ralph Lauren and opted for an all-American nautical look. The team wore a blue and white pinstripe button under a single-breasted navy blazer with red and white borders to showcase America’s colors. The Ralph Lauren logo was featured in white on one side and Team USA’s Olympic logo was on the other side.
One critique I have for team USA is the jeans, which to be frank, I’m not a fan of. I understand they were going for a Charleston-preppy vibe, but jeans were almost too casual. The men would have looked amazing in khaki slacks with the women in pleated skirts for the traditional preppy aesthetic that is unique to Ralph Lauren.
Team Canada
Team Canada was styled by Lululemon, an athleticwear company. They wore red bomber jackets with the Lululemon logo and indistinguishable pattern meant to resemble their flag’s maple leaf design and matching shorts that read “CAN” down the leg. Underneath the jacket, the team wore a plain red top and red shoes.
Their outfits were tacky to say the least. Individually, the items are good pieces. I love a monochromatic look, but this is just too much red. I feel a lot of people were blinded by the fact that it is Lululemon and hyped the outfits up when they look like something I can pull out of my closet for the gym, not an Opening Ceremony outfit.
Lululemon did provide the athletes with several outfits to prepare for any type of weather, which was incredibly generous of them. However, I wish they would have gone for a sleeker look with the dressier clothes they sell, such as men’s slacks.