Fashion Moment: 2012 Summer Olympics Kit

I love the Olympics!  I love that they bring us together on an international scale, and the values of excellence, tradition, character, and inclusion that they promote.  In fact one of my besties is in London right now working for OBS in Communications.

I love getting updates from her, and I love cheering for the athletes from my country (and some favorites from other countries.)  I enjoyed watching Danny Boyle's Opening Ceremonies, but while we were watching (and as patriotic as I am), I have to confess I was a little disappointed with Canada's official uniform design...

CNW Group/Hudson's Bay Co.

There's nothing particularly wrong with them... They're not embarrassing, they include our national colours (unlike Germany's "blue is for boys, pink is for girls" approach, or Italy's black and white approach), they're clean and modern, and ever-so-slightly jaunty (the touch of tartan, the rolled cuffs), but they're just... underwhelming.  

Jorge Silva/Reuters

It's true that as Canadians, we are kind of known for being unassuming and unpretentious, but minus the "Canada" banner on the chest (and the lack of subtlety there is a little clunky), this looks like a generic person walking down the street!  I'm not sure it really transmits the message: "I'm an elite achiever, here to compete on the world stage." 

All I want is a little personality, creativity, or gender differentiation... Yes, we're polite, but hopefully not that boring!  We just hosted a fantastic set of Games in Vancouver 2010, haven't we earned the right to a little swag? 

That started me thinking about the 2012 London Summer Olympics from a sartorial perspective, and here are my random conclusions. 

Of course fashion is tangential to the experience of the games, but when you have the chance to say something about your country's heritage, pride, and identity in the most-viewed international forum, wouldn't you want to communicate something good?!

Here are a couple of other Winners of 'The Kitten' for Snooze-worthy Get-ups:

via Styleite

Ireland does the same boring unisex schtick as Canada.  And those pants don't look like they're really fitting well on anybody.

Lars Baron/Getty

Greece has a little better tailoring, but I still feel like they're there to sell me a used car.

But the real surprise in the boring category is...

Stefano Rellandini/Reuters

...Italy!  As one of the world leaders in fashion, this result is truly a shocker!  I'm not sure why they are applauding here, since the venerable Giorgio Armani has spent all this time designing kit exactly like what I regularly see at my local Y?  So bland, and there's absolutely no trace of Italy's red, white & green.  Donatella Versace & Roberto Cavalli are probably chuckling into their espressos.

Guiseppe Aresu/AFP/Getty

Armani might have redeemed himself slightly with the chic womens' swimsuits, but for the men... I'm not sure if the world is ready for white speedos?

And surprisingly, it gets worse before it gets better.
Here are the Winners of 'The Kitten' for Most Embarrassing:

via Styleite

First up: the anti-uniform.  What's up, Liechtenstein?  You didn't even try!  Or perhaps there's a secret backstory, like, "Oh crap, the opening ceremony is today?! Quick, jump in the limo, maybe we can still make it!"  

via Styleite

Estonia: At least this is unique.  But these jackets seem more suited to winter Olympics, and are sort of reminiscent of... Oscar the Grouch?

via Styleite

The British team tries to be fashion-forward, but may have unfortunately drawn too much tin foil inspiration from Justin Bieber.  But hey, who needs gold medals when you can have gold armpits?

Saul Craviotto/Twitter

One poor Spanish athlete tweeted this unhappy pic of his Olympic gear.  My first thought was "Would you like fries with that?", but there might be a little dash of NASCAR in there as well.  Maybe this is what Spain gets for outsourcing their uniform design to Bosco, a Russian firm!  Was Russia getting in a little bit of sabotage to increase their competitive advantage?

Misha Japaridze/AP

Er... Nope!  Sadly, they did it to their own unlucky athletes as well.  What can I say about this vaguely 80's flashback?  It gives me sort of a queasy feeling.

I need cheering up, so here are some Winners of 'The Kitten' for Expressing Cultural Heritage:

via Styleite

Jordan

via Styleite

Mexico

via Styleite

Tajikistan

via Styleite

Marshall Island

Mike Blake/Reuters

Nigeria

Jorge Silva/Reuters

Oman

via Styleite

and Turkmenistan.
Much better!  I think all of these countries did a beautiful job.

And here are my choices for Winners of 'The Kitten' for Sartorially Savvy (a.k.a. Best Dressed Contemporary):

via shrewdtennis

Well done, Belgium!  Patriotic and classy.  These uniforms look sharp individually...

via Styleite

...And en masse.  I love that there are options: red skirt, black skirt, red pants...

Reuters

The United States goes collegiate in their quintessentially Ralph Lauren designs.  Nothing here is really fresh territory for him, but it's preppy and tasteful.  I like the interest provided by the scarves & hats.

via Ecoterre.com

There was a brief uproar over the fact that the US uniforms were made in China, but I thought that was a bit of a red herring.  While this is an issue worth further attention, there's no way it should be a surprise to anybody!  North America has not developed or protected their textile industries, and has been outsourcing most manufacturing to Asia for years.

Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty

Belarus: looking so sharp and jaunty with those little fedoras.

via Fila

South Korea looking very nautical, which makes sense for games set in London. Again with the cute hats, and even some snazzy socks by Fila.

suitsupply.com

Have I mentioned that I love options?  The Netherlands also did their athletes proud in Adidas.

via styleite

The pieces are traditional, and the colours are modern, but mainly these get-ups are undeniably cheerful.  And I'm digging the unique patriotic touch provided by all those tulips! 

via High Snobette

And finally... Jamaica's uniforms are seriously dope.  They were the brainchild of a collaboration between Cedella Marley (yeah, she's Bob's daughter) and Puma.

Mike Blake/Reuters

Again, I love that there are so many options: green, yellow and black jackets, black or yellow pants, printed or plain skirts (not to mention the cool trainers and the driving caps), but they all coordinate.

Michael Regan/Getty

The tailoring is so sharp, but actually functional.  Really wearable silhouettes, modern materials, and actually hip!  My personal fave.  I think this is probably the ultimate fusion of sporty and stylee at this set of games.  Usain Bolt is a great showman.  Wonder if he'll repeat his sprinting golds?

Oh, and lastly, here's the Winner of 'The Kitten' for Spirit:

Mike Blake/Reuters

So these umbrellas and wellies don't really celebrate the Czech Republic, but rather the rainy city of London where the games are being held.  Maybe it's a little silly (or practical, depending on your perspective!), but I like that they aren't taking themselves too seriously, and are clearly having some fun with it.  Fun is always good in my book. :)

Congrats to every athlete from every country for making it there.  I hope you get a free moment to really savour it all.