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Alexander McQueen, Armani, Burberry, Christopher Kane, Erdem, Jonathan Saunders, Kate Middleton, London, Michael Jackson, Next, Olympics, Paul Smith, Ralph Lauren, Stella McCartney, Stephen Jones, Victoria Beckham, Vivienne Westwood
For the past two weeks I have been consumed with Olympic mania. Not only have I learned to love sports I didn’t know existed (white water canoeing anyone?), it’s been really fun for this semi-British household to watch London shine and the world enjoy just how great Britain is.
As I cheered for teams USA and GB, I also cheered (and jeered) Olympic fashions. I mean some big-name designers (Lauren! McCartney! Armani!) put their muscle behind making sure their country’s athletes shined and styled in competition. But, as with the competition itself, not everyone makes the medal stand.
Best Dressed
The unheralded glamour sport of the 2012 games? Synchronized swimming. I mean bedazzled swimming in-time while wearing full show make-up and hair? Amazing. The gold medal-winning Russians made a splash with these sequined suits depicting the King of Pop, whose music they performed to. Shamone!
Golden Girl
Really, can Kate do any wrong? She was undoubtedly the off-the-field style star of the games. Her high-low mix of patriotic red-white-and-blue separates and official London 2012 gear were a clinic in how to look chic in casual sportswear. Her best accessory? A winning smile and unabashed enthusiasm for team GB.
Nailed It
Olympic Village featured a nail salon where the athletes could get free mani-pedis. It was clear patriotic and statement nails were the athletes’ favorite trend. Given that they had to wear a uniform, it was a great way for them to show their individual personalities.
Here Come The Girls
More than once, I heard London 2012 called the games where women shined brightest. My favorite example of this was watching the female athletes who were the first ever to compete for their countries. These women prove that winning is just putting yourself out their and confidence is the best accessory.
US- Eh
Call me unpatriotic, but I think Team USA was one of the overall worst dressed teams at the games. I wanted stars and stripes forever, but I got gray. At least lackluster gear let the athletes shine brighter than their uniforms.
I hated team USA’s Ralph Lauren Opening Ceremony outfits. The guys looked good enough (OK, Ryan Lochte looks more than “good enough” in this pic), but the girls look like dopey 1940s schoolgirls in their unflattering skirts and saddle shoes. Even Mr. Lauren must have known it because the original sketch features chic heels!
Why were team USA’s track suits dowdy grey instead of vibrant red, or crisp white or bright blue? Not impressed.
Even if I hated every other piece of apparel, Team USA’s mix-and-match “casual wear” separates were sharp. (I’m still lukewarm on the all-white closing ceremony outfits on the right. An improvement on the opening ceremony, but I continue to find them more old-fashioned than classic.)
The bright spot of team USA’s uniforms were the Fierce Five’s leotards, and not just because each was encrusted with over 4,300 crystals! I loved how each night showed off a new patriotic color and crystal motif. Lucky for them, each one looked great with gold!
Opening Ceremony
Many criticized Team GB’s opening outfits, made by high street chain Next, not Stella McCartney. But, I liked their golden glow.
With dear Dutch friends and great memories of spending Queensday in Holland, I have a soft spot for the Netherlands. Loving on-trend orange bottoms popping against navy and cobalt. The exaggerated tulip and classic blazers and trenches make the look smart and modern.
I’m a sucker for a rugby stripe and Sweden’s blue and gold tops paired with crisp white bottoms looked sporty and fresh. Plus, how fun are those shoes?
Germany’s boy-girl Adidas gear looked more baby shower than Olympic champion. Hideous.
Closing Ceremony
Team GB looked like rock stars with red trousers and sequined T-shirts bearing a psychedelic version of a traditional lion. They were perfect for the party London threw for the 2012 games’ closing.
Glad the organizing committee realized that no nod to British (pop) culture would be complete without fashion. How great was the golden march of the supermodels at the Olympics featuring designs by Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Victoria Beckham, Christopher Kane, Burberry, Erdem, Jonathan Saunders, Stephen Jones and Paul Smith?
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