The uniforms for the opening ceremonies of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games have been unveiled.
Introducing our Opening Ceremony uniforms for the #TokyoOlympics.
Threads by @RalphLauren. 🇺🇸 #RLxTeamUSA pic.twitter.com/L1GXpgB9JU
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) July 14, 2021
Designed by American fashion brand Ralph Lauren, as they have been at every Olympics since Beijing in 2008, the uniform features a navy blazer, navy slacks, and a striped shirt and American flag-printed scarf.
With temperatures during the opening ceremonies expected to be in the 80s, the jackets contain a “personal cooling system” that can help regulate body temperature in oppressive heat. Ralph Lauren is billing the technology as acting as a wearable air-conditioning unit.
“We had a conversation with the Olympic Committee several years ago,” brand executive David Lauren told The New York Post.
“And they made it clear that they wanted our athletes to dress up and be ambassadors, but since Japan is one of the technology centers of the world, [they asked] ‘What kind of fun surprises can we bring?’”
They looked at technology from the US Department of Energy and others and developed “RL COOLING technology. The battery-powered device inserted into the back of the jacket releases cold air onto the base of the neck.
Lauren claims that this specific location can help the body sweat less and make it feel more like 70 to 75 degrees even if its 90 degrees out.
The flag bearer will have a different unit – featuring a white denim jacket.
All clothing items are made in the United States and incorporate sustainable materials.
The outfits will be a color contrast to the mostly-white uniforms announce in April for the closing ceremonies.
The ceremonies will look a little different this year than they have in prior years. With athletes encouraged to only be at the Games for a short window before or after their actual competitions because of pandemic regulations, the Parade of Nations will likely feature fewer athletes than normal.
For the first time, countries have been allowed to nominate two flag-bearers: one male and one female athlete.
The opening ceremonies will take place on July 23. With swimming competition scheduled to begin on July 24, many swimmers will likely not participate in an effort to save their energy for competition.
Among the aquatic athletes who are Ralph Lauren ambassadors for the Olympics and Paralympics include swimmers Katie Ledecky and Nathan Adrian, water polo goalie Ashleigh Johnson, and diver David Boudia.
So you are saying there’s a chance that Nathan Adrian will take my ticket and show me to my seat?
seems more about making a “Ralph Lauren look” than making an appropriate uniform for the team of athletes that has to march and stand in blistering heat
It will be 95 degrees and humid.
All of the weather services I’ve read agree that it will be about 78 and humid, not 95 and humid.
I’ve experienced 35 summers in Tokyo.
I mean no disrespect to Mr. Adrian, with regards to his medical history. But something about the uniform’s horizontal stripes reminds me of a Christmas time Nutcracker.
nothing against the athletes or anything but..
the pic of nathan and the little video literally looks like propaganda straight outta north korea.
look at it again. then look at posters from fascit regimes and realize its literally the same.
the flag. the stare into the distance. the big strong man with the brave facial expression.
idk just very very weird
you cant convince me otherwise sorry
low-shots and close-ups to make the subject imposing and powerful–straight outta leni riefenstahl
I suspect yours will be a controversial comment, but it is interesting to compare the imagery and filmmaking techniques
RALPH LAUREN spokesman: “The jackets contain a ‘personal cooling system’ that can help regulate body temperature in oppressive heat.”
That might be just the ticket for the marathon runners!
brick,
but I can’t wait to see the russian federation’s chris angel/ed hardy-inspired sweat suits
I don’t mind these sans the scarf. It actually took me a lot of reading to figure out the scarf wasn’t just a floppy turtleneck top.
make it a bandanna
Removable mask?
I do like the use of blue jeans (the most american clothing you can think of) opposed to 2016’s white jeans that felt hyper-regional americana –(very prep/yacht-life)
agree with the scarf. -kind of a weird over-accessorizing, possible they just threw it in there to be part of the brand lookbook + athletes will a la carte style it with a lighter shirt so it stands out more, or goes sans scarf?
-kinda weak that the design didn’t changed much since 2016 navy 2 button notch lapel blazer w/horizontal solid r/w/b striped shirt underneath
I get that it is under the RL brand and they have their design principals/aesthetic, but it would be cool if for LA 2024 if they… Read more »
Paris24**
I got too excited, LA28
Sorry but these are ugly
Of all the terrible comments you’ve left, this is the one you’re sorry about?
No need to be sorry, I don’t think anyone is looking to Doconc for interesting insights into the culture.
U would look divine wearing this
It will complete your look