Ralph Lauren unveils Team USA Winter Olympics ceremony uniforms
One of the fashion world's fashion capitals, Milan carries a reputation that should motivate designers to bring their best while outfitting the elite athletes for the opening and closing ceremonies of the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics .
That was precisely Ralph Lauren's goal for Team USA .
"It's the proudest moment for our country, as these athletes take the stage," Ralph Lauren chief branding and innovation officer David Lauren told USA TODAY Sports. "If we can make them look great in Italy, we've scored."
Ralph Lauren has designed the ceremony outfits for 20 years, including the Milan Games. The opening ceremony uniform features a white coat made of wool with heritage-inspired wooden toggles and an iconic American flag knitted onto the sleeves. Athletes walking in the festivities on Feb. 6 will wear a wool turtleneck sweater and tailored wool trousers.
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The baggier fit appeals to snowboarder Red Gerard, who is a fan of the winter white color and the casual nature it exudes.
"And they're warm," Gerard told USA TODAY Sports, "which is really nice. A lot of times people forget that even though it's the opening ceremony, it's the 'Winter Olympics.' Really cold."
A two-time Olympian and gold medalist from the 2018 slopestyle event, Gerard said walking out with Team USA teammates at the opening ceremony is "when it hits you that this is bigger than any other competition."
The fits are a reminder that Gerard is representing something much bigger than himself.
"This is by far my favorite opening, closing ceremony outfits," said Gerard, who is also a "sucker for a good sweater."
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Paralympic snowboarder Brenna Huckaby prefers the closing ceremony set, which draws inspiration from vintage ski racing kits and features a "sporty and modern" color-blocked puffer jacket with bold Team USA graphics and a wool turtleneck sweater in a patriotic color palette, paired with a crisp white utility pant.
"It's fast," Huckaby told USA TODAY Sports. "It looks like we're going to go really fast on our snowboards.
Huckaby appreciates that the Paralympic and Olympic athletes wear the same uniforms, with either the Olympic or Paralympic logo emblazoned on the jackets.
"It feels very uniting," Huckaby said.
All items in each uniform are produced in the United States. Both looks are completed with red, white and blue knit hats and mittens, a leather belt and brown suede alpine boots with spirited red laces. The company works about 2.5 years on the ceremony clothing to "try to bring to life the clothing and tell a story of what America is about," Lauren said.
Some pieces make excellent gifts or can be worn again, Huckaby said. She stashes her favorite items away to maybe one day give to either of her daughters, ages 9 and 5. The turtleneck sweater is her favorite part of the Milan ceremony wardrobe. Trading clothing items isn't uncommon in the athlete villages, Huckaby said, but that won't be the case for Huckaby in Italy.
"It's just so chic and clean," she said. "I don't know. I would wear everything outside of opening and closing ceremonies. It fits."
Contributing: Sam Cardona-Norberg
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Team USA Winter Olympics ceremony uniforms by Ralph Lauren released
