THE Olympics always provides the opportunity to witness athletic performances at near-superhuman levels — and this year, the best Olympic uniforms prove there will be plenty of outstanding sports fashion to see as well. With Paris playing host to the upcoming Games, luxury titans LVMH serving as lead sponsors, and brands from Ralph Lauren to Berluti outfitting the athletes, each country’s team uniforms are destined to elicit their own round of cheers. As we gear up for the Paris Games, here’s a peek at some of the best Olympic uniforms that have been revealed so far. Michel & Amazonka for Team Mongolia The internet has chosen its new favorite national uniform at the forthcoming Paris 2024 Olympics: Mongolia’s. Featuring intricately embroidered vests, pleated robes and accessories inspired by traditional attire, the country’s opening and closing ceremony outfits have taken social media by storm since being unveiled last week. The designs are the work of Michel & Amazonka, an Ulaanbaatar-based label producing couture and ready-to-wear garments that express the essence of Mongolian tradition and culture in what the brand calls a “contemporary light.” Designs incorporate the national colors of blue, red, and white, as well as various traditional patterns and motifs, including the “Soyombo” symbol that appears in the country’s flag. The label revealed its designs via a series of glossy photos and a video shoot reminiscent of a luxury fashion campaign. Female athletes’ outfits come with ceremonial earrings and embroidered bags, while male flag-bearers will wear an archery hat, belt and traditional Mongolian boots. Anta for Team China The uniforms, in the primary colors of white and red, were sponsored by Chinese sportswear brand Anta, featuring the traditional design of Chinese dragon patterns. The outfits are made from recycled fibers. Various eco-friendly materials, including recycled nylon and recycled polyester, were used in the manufacturing process to reduce carbon emissions. Ralph Lauren for Team USA Ralph Lauren has been behind Team USA since 2008. This year’s look is a nod to the classic American tailoring for which the designer is best known. The opening ceremony sees athletes donning a traditional blazer over a striped shirt and tie with light-washed denim pants. Red, white, and blue accents testify to the competitors’ country of origin. The closing ceremony outfits skew more heartland than Ivy League; they feature a moto jacket adorned with patches and white jeans. Puma for Team Jamaica The Jamaican flag is in a striking color combination: black, gold and green. This colorway is at the heart of Puma’s Olympic kit. With the country’s sprinters in mind, the designs blend speed and fashion: The cut lines have been strategically placed to accentuate the physique of the athletes whilst providing a showstopping visual that emphasizes the beauty of an athlete in motion. Puma also used engineered jacquard fabric for heat reduction and breathability, with ThermoAdapt technology regulating body temperature to enable optimum performance. The New Originals for Team Netherlands While many tune into the Olympics to watch classics like gymnastics and track, the roster of modern Olympic sports is constantly expanding. As of this year, breakdancing is officially an Olympic sport and the Netherlands dance team is set to make quite an entrance. Their futuristic uniforms pay homage to the colors of the Dutch flag and the vibrant orange of the national football team. The baggy-yet-effortlessly-cool tracksuits are straight from the quirky minds at Amsterdam-based brand The New Originals and sure to make a statement. Berluti for Team France You don’t usually associate sports with tuxedos — but that didn’t stop Berluti from incorporating a bit of formalwear inspiration into its 2024 Paris designs. The French luxury brand has created the opening ceremony looks for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the result is beyond elegant. Athletes will be dressed in a white shirt and midnight-blue tuxedo jacket with a burnished lapel in the colors of the French flag. Men will wear matching plain pants with sneakers, while women will have the additional option of a wrap skirt complete with a pair of patent moccasins. Accessories include a pocket handkerchief, with the same pattern as the burnished collar, which can be inserted into the men’s jacket, while a scarf of the same color can be worn by women. In addition, a hand-varnished belt in the same tones will complete the men’s outfit. ASICS for Team Australia At first glance, ASICS’s take on the Australian Olympic team’s uniform might seem fairly straightforward, with green and gold as a celebration of the country’s national colors. But look closer and you’ll note that each uniform features an indigenous print. The designs featured were partly contributed by indigenous artist and Olympic boxer, Paul Fleming, whose work titled “Walking Together” was inspired by the idea that the Olympics is a meeting place for people of all backgrounds and cultures to come together. Lululemon for Canada Canadian athleisure behemoth Lululemon has broken the mold with Canada’s uniforms this year. Not only are the bright crimson prints visually striking, but they mark a real movement toward accessibility and adaptability in the world of sports fashion. The kit was designed to support different bodies, with features including magnetic-close zippers, pull-on loops, and sensory touch guides. The kit even features two adaptive styles — the Seated-Fit Carpenter Pant and the Seated-Fit Packable Rain Poncho — intentionally designed to deliver functionality and comfort in a seated position. Ben Sherman for Team GB U.K. heritage brand Ben Sherman was tapped for a third-consecutive Olympic Games to design uniforms for Team Great Britain, as well as an accompanying capsule collection. A four-nation floral motif — inclusive of a rose, thistle, daffodil, and shamrock symbolizing the identities and histories of each U.K. nation — is seen throughout.(SD-Agencies) | 