Since 2008, Americana's favorite designer, Ralph Lauren, has been designing the uniforms for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. This is no small task, for how does one encapsulate the diverse group of athletes, life experiences, and especially sports, into one uniform for all. But he always does.
This year, the main focus of the Olympic and Paralympic Closing Ceremony's uniforms was sustainability. Though the uniforms must look great, feel modern, and send an empowering message about Team USA, this year, what was on the inside counted more. Just like athletes.
Jamie Anderson, a Team USA snowboarder and gold-medalist tells T&C why the Ralph Lauren uniform feels significant to her: "The Ralph Lauren Olympic Collection is really special to me because every item is made with sustainability in mind. The polyester is recycled, the down is recycled, but it also uses nice fabrics like wool and feels very high quality and built to last." A few sustainability highlights from the collection include the plaid puffer jacket, the fleece leggings and pants, gloves, and boots—all made in the USA from recycled polyester. Another main component of the collection is the wool, all of which is sourced from the United States, and is Responsible Wool Certified Standard.
But aside from the sustainability, and the style, the Ralph Lauren Team USA uniforms help to support the Olympic and Paralympic teams, as the United States does not federally fund these athletes. Aja Evans, a bronze-medalist bob sleigher for Team USA shares why the uniform carries extra meaning for her, "A portion of the proceeds from the collection go back to benefit Team USA, so not only do I put it on and feel very resilient and confident, but I know that in turn they are really there to support us."