The Olympics are one of the most prominent sporting events in the world, and rightly so. However, these games have given us some memorable fashion moments through the years, leaving us awestruck and wanting for more. Here’s a list of some absolutely special outfits from the Olympic Games!
1. Team Brazil's Synchronized Swimming Duet, 2021
Brazil’s synchronized swimming team, including Lara Teixeira and Nayara Figueira, took their performance to the next level with swim suits that were inspired by human anatomy. With hearts, veins and a brain on their swim caps, their outfit along with their performance was sight for sore eyes.
Image Source: Shutterstock
2. Team Liberia's 2020 Olympic Uniforms
Fashion designer Telfar Clemens designed a 70-piece activewear collection for the Olympians representing Liberia. The pieces in the collection featured a stylish range of sweats, unitards and track spikes, featuring the Liberian flag is featured throughout, as well as Telfar’s logo.
Image Source: Twitter/apbenven
3. Team Germany's Opening Ceremony Uniform, 2014
The German Olympian team, in 2014, appeared in eye-catching head-to-toe technicolour ensembles. Although denied by the German federation, the outfits were considered a subtle protest against Russia's anti-gay legislation, which was the host country of the games that year.
Image Source: Twitter/GuardianUS
4. Nastia Liukin, 2008
American all-around gold medallist, Nastia Liukin, made a statement in this bejewelled hot pink leotard instead of the traditional red, white and blue colours. The gymnast’s costume now belongs to the National Museum of American History, Washington, D.C.
Image Source: Punchfront.net
5. Katarina Witt, 1984
East German skater Katarina Witt was known to make a statement with exceptional costumes. She wore this sparkly outfit and tiara in the 1984 Olympics held in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. The skater also went on to secure gold that year.
Image Source: Katrinawitt.de
6. Debi Thomas, 1988
American figure skater Debi Thomas made history not only by becoming the first African-American athlete to win a medal at the Winter Olympics but also by trading a skirt to instead compete in a jumpsuit.
Image Source: Hollandsntinel.com
7. Michael Johnson, 1996
American sprinter Michael Johnson’s metallic gold racing spikes earned him the nickname "Man with the Golden Shoes" at the time. "I just wanted to change it up, and I thought gold would be a good colour," he stated. He would also go on to wear shoes with actual 24-karat gold woven into the fabric to defend his 400-meter final in Sydney.
Image Source: Workitsister.com
8. Team USA's Snowboarding Team, 2010
USA’s 2010 snowboarding team saw Shaun White and Scott Lago in baggy distressed jeans and red, white and blue plaid jackets. The all-American style costumes were considered super unusual, stylish, and quite anti-uniform, all the while making a statement.
Image Source: Bleacherreport.com
9. India's Olympic Team, 2012
Considered one of India’s most successful years at the Olympics, 2012 saw the women of the team in bright yellow sarees, a navy blazer in hand, along with the men of the team sporting a traditional turban and a navy suit.
Image Source: Sareetimes.com
10. Nancy Kerrigan, 1994
American former-figure skater Nancy Kerrigan sported this sparkly statement-making look designed by designer Vera Wang in Lillehammer, Norway. Wang heat-pressed a whopping 11,500 rhinestones onto the fabric of the costume to avoid stitching or metal as they would’ve made the outfit too heavy for jumps.
Image Source: Goodhousekeeping.com