On Friday, the cream of the world’s athletes will gather in Paris, along 6km of the Seine, for the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.
Teams from around the world will be wearing official outfits, designed by some of the biggest names in fashion including Giorgio Armani and Ralph Lauren, for the three-hour event that will mark the official opening of Paris 2024.
However, from the early reveals of the country’s chosen designs, it’s clear that there are some gold medal-winning outfits in the mix – and some more dubious efforts.
Many, of course, have opted for a safe option, sticking to the colors of a nation’s flag and staunchly understated designs.
Here we round up some of the Olympic ceremonial outfits that have sparked the biggest reactions so far…
SPLASHED PLASTIC TRENCH COAT FROM THE CZECH REPUBLIC
Czech climber Adam Ondra models the distinctive plastic raincoat that athletes will wear in Paris
The president of the Czech Olympic Committee, Jiří Kejval, recently told the newspaper Tomorrow in Prague “Even in the crowd, no one will miss us. This is what we want to achieve in the heart of Paris, the capital of fashion,” he said.
And this is certainly true of the striking blue and white-spattered plastic trench coat, which is inspired by the traditional Czech ‘baloňák’ coat.
The design is expected to be well received in a country that has a long-standing love affair with the Mac.
Czech trench coats are the brainchild of Alpine Pro and local designer Jan Černý
The ceremonial outfit is a collaboration between the Czech Olympic team, ALPINE PRO, and designer Jan Černý, but his ideas have not pleased everyone.
When a photo of Olympic climber Adam Ondra appeared on the country’s official Olympic Instagram account wearing the coat, people were quick to speak their minds.
One wrote: “Dude you can’t wear that,” while another added: “Some designers are getting fired this year.”
Another joked: “Looks like Czeski’s team is going to France to do some decorating.”
FRANCE: A GOAL FOR AUTONOMY IN THE WORLD’S FASHION CAPITAL?
Comfortable shoes and a striking jacket… France have opted for a cabin crew look with their official Olympic uniform, which features the colours of the Tricolour on the lapels of their jackets.
As the host country, and one of the most stylish in the world, all eyes will be on the French team on Friday night.
The country’s sports stars will wear garments designed by former French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld, who has partnered with LVMH, but her safe designs – essentially navy suits with the colours of the French flag mixed into the lapels – mean there have been mixed reactions to the clothes.
While some called the outfits “magnifique!”, others were less enthusiastic, with one suggesting they were “ungladyish” and looked like cabin crew or RATP (the city’s transport system) uniforms.
Another added: “The clothes are so ugly! It’s a real shame.”
And one disappointed fan wrote: ‘Our champions are gorgeous but I still can’t get over the outfits… it looks like a senior project from fashion school.’
TEAM GB’S NOISY SHIRT – INCORPORATING FOUR NATIONAL PLANTS
Team GB passes through Hawaii! The floral design that athletes will wear at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Paris Olympics this month
Fashion label Ben Sherman has created a range of items including a bomber jacket with a rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock embroidered on the back and a polo shirt.
Team GB have unveiled their ‘ceremonial kit’ for the Olympic Games which will be worn during the opening and closing ceremonies in Paris this summer.
At the closing ceremony on 11 August, Team GB athletes will wear Hawaiian-style shirts decorated with Britain’s four national plants.
Fashion label Ben Sherman has created a range of items including a bomber jacket with a rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock embroidered on the back and a polo shirt with a Union Jack design.
“It’s not just about creating a kit; it’s about capturing the essence of British heritage and contemporary style, and embodying the pride and unity of Team GB,” said Mark Williams, creative director at Ben Sherman. Evening Standardlast month.
But not everyone has been pleased with the designs. “Great Britain’s 2024 Olympics uniforms are a disappointment compared to previous ones, particularly Tokyo, which was exceptional. The Paris uniforms are the definition of unadventurous,” wrote one person on X, formerly Twitter.
HAITI: THE PERIOD PUNK DRAMA “GO BIG OR GO HOME” ATTIRE
Right or wrong? Haiti has opted for bold prints and a touch of period punk in its ceremonial Olympic attire
Haiti’s Olympic ensembles have 21st-century Bridgerton vibes, with cinched belts, gothic boots and formal jackets.
The country’s design team has added bold prints to pleated skirts and trousers, as well as a pale blue cotton for shirts.
Designed by Stella Jean, the collection was created in collaboration with Haitian artist Philippe Dodard, who is behind the print used.
The reaction has been largely positive and people applaud the bravery.
One person wrote: ‘Honestly those are fire, I saw the French ones, they should take note.’
TEAM USA: PRIVATE SCHOOL UNIFORM WITH A COWBOY TOUCH
The Olympic uniform for Team USA is by Ralph Lauren: athletes will wear a navy blue jacket with white and red details.
The designer’s signature preppy style is incorporated with a more casual stonewashed jean.
The U.S. Olympic team will be looking to impress again in Paris this summer, with the all-conquering nation expected to rival China at the top of the medals table.
The team, led by basketball legend Lebron James, will arrive in the French capital in style, after once again collaborating with global fashion brand Ralph Lauren to dress the 592 athletes competing in Paris for the opening ceremony.
The U.S. team will travel down the River Seine on boats before the start of the event, dressed in a navy blazer with red and white details, as well as a striped Oxford shirt, a navy tie, light denim jeans and white brogues.
However, some have compared her look to a private school uniform, and the real-life preppy style doesn’t convince everyone.
One person wrote on X: “When does RL’s contract end? Their designs are pretty much the same every Summer Olympics.”
MONGOLIAN DRAMA: STYLE FANS FALL IN LOVE WITH TRADITIONAL COSTUMES
Mongolia’s stylish Olympic robes have received praise from fans who say the designs have “won the Olympics before they even started”.
The chic outfit, by design house Michel & Amazonka, uses traditional symbols of Mongolian culture as well as the colours of the country’s flag.
Munkhjargal Choigaalaa, a member of Michel & Amazonka’s design team behind Mongolia’s Olympic ceremonial dress, says she is surprised by the reaction on social media to the brand’s designs.
The traditional costumes take the red, blue and gold from the Mongolian flag and also use symbols signifying longevity.
The white and cream tunic-style outfits are inspired by Naadam, an Olympic-style Mongolian festival.
One fan enthused: “This one won the Olympics before they even started.”
Another wrote: “They look great. Very stylish.”