60 years of United States Olympics uniforms | CNN

Patriotism! Puffy coats! 60 years of U.S. Olympics uniforms

By AJ Willingham, CNN
1 minute read
Updated 8:13 AM EDT, Sun August 7, 2016
<strong>Rio, 2016:</strong> Nothing to see here, just ... wait, is that the Russian flag? Uniform haters dinged this year's Ralph Lauren offerings because the jaunty patriotic striped top resembles a certain rival country's banner, which has horizontal white, blue and red bars.
Rio, 2016: Nothing to see here, just ... wait, is that the Russian flag? Uniform haters dinged this year's Ralph Lauren offerings because the jaunty patriotic striped top resembles a certain rival country's banner, which has horizontal white, blue and red bars.
U.S. Olympic Team/Twitter
<strong>Sochi, 2014: </strong>No,<strong> </strong>these patchwork cardigans featuring Olympic rings and a stars-and-stripes salad were not heinous. They were FASHIONABLE. (2014 was the height of the ugly Christmas sweater trend, if you've already wiped that detail from your memory.)
Sochi, 2014: No, these patchwork cardigans featuring Olympic rings and a stars-and-stripes salad were not heinous. They were FASHIONABLE. (2014 was the height of the ugly Christmas sweater trend, if you've already wiped that detail from your memory.)
Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
<strong>London, 2012: </strong>Aside from perpetuating the Olympic fetish for blazers and tight white pants, the London uniforms caused outrage because they were made in China.
London, 2012: Aside from perpetuating the Olympic fetish for blazers and tight white pants, the London uniforms caused outrage because they were made in China.
Lars Baron/Getty Images
<strong>Vancouver, 2010:</strong> Puffy coats. SENSIBLE.
Vancouver, 2010: Puffy coats. SENSIBLE.
Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
<strong>Beijing, 2008:</strong> The year Team U.S.A. looked like the cast of the fanciest, most athletic production of "Newsies" ever.
Beijing, 2008: The year Team U.S.A. looked like the cast of the fanciest, most athletic production of "Newsies" ever.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
<strong>Turin, 2006: </strong>The white jackets, the futuristic lettering, the Kangol-style caps -- these uniforms were so European it hurt. (Appropriate since, you know, they were in Europe.)
Turin, 2006: The white jackets, the futuristic lettering, the Kangol-style caps -- these uniforms were so European it hurt. (Appropriate since, you know, they were in Europe.)
Brian Bahr/Getty Images
<strong>Athens, 2004:</strong> The triumphant return to the birthplace of the Olympic Games deserved better than this pajama party, frankly.
Athens, 2004: The triumphant return to the birthplace of the Olympic Games deserved better than this pajama party, frankly.
Michael Steele/Getty Images
<strong>Salt Lake City, 2002:</strong> This year marked the end of the cowboy hat era and ushered in the Age of the Beret. (A Susan B. Anthony dollar to anyone who can explain that one.)
Salt Lake City, 2002: This year marked the end of the cowboy hat era and ushered in the Age of the Beret. (A Susan B. Anthony dollar to anyone who can explain that one.)
Al Bello/Getty Images
<strong>Sydney, 2000:</strong> Did you know the American populace is actually just one very large square dancing team?
Sydney, 2000: Did you know the American populace is actually just one very large square dancing team?
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images
<strong>Nagano, 1998: </strong>These have a very "cattle rancher visiting New York City in January" vibe, and honestly, that's the America we all signed up for.
Nagano, 1998: These have a very "cattle rancher visiting New York City in January" vibe, and honestly, that's the America we all signed up for.
Norbert Schmidt/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images
<strong>Atlanta, 1996:</strong> The Olympics were IN the U.S. and yet we looked like MOUNTIES.
Atlanta, 1996: The Olympics were IN the U.S. and yet we looked like MOUNTIES.
Simon Bruty/Getty Images
<strong>Lillehammer, 1994:</strong> Cowboy hat? Check. Big ol' coat? Check. Fabulously obnoxious giant scarf that should probably be available for purchase right now? Mission accomplished.
Lillehammer, 1994: Cowboy hat? Check. Big ol' coat? Check. Fabulously obnoxious giant scarf that should probably be available for purchase right now? Mission accomplished.
Getty Images
<strong>Barcelona, 1992:</strong> MAKE AMERICA ROYAL BLUE AGAIN.
Barcelona, 1992: MAKE AMERICA ROYAL BLUE AGAIN.
RON KUNTZ/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Albertville, 1992:</strong> "We want to look powerful, but approachable." Like a mob boss at his kid's holiday party? "Yeah! Yeah, just like a mob boss at his kid's holiday party."
Albertville, 1992: "We want to look powerful, but approachable." Like a mob boss at his kid's holiday party? "Yeah! Yeah, just like a mob boss at his kid's holiday party."
Marcy Nighswander/AP
<strong>Seoul, 1988:</strong> It's hard to remember a time before the structured navy-and-white prison that is our current uniform situation. But how about these baby blue, acrylic-fiber memories?
Seoul, 1988: It's hard to remember a time before the structured navy-and-white prison that is our current uniform situation. But how about these baby blue, acrylic-fiber memories?
Russell Cheyne/Getty Images
<strong>Los Angeles, 1984:</strong> Athletes? Or Domino's delivery people?
Los Angeles, 1984: Athletes? Or Domino's delivery people?
Ted Thai/LIFE/Getty Images
<strong>Sarajevo, 1984: </strong>This is also some premium America, and is not at all SAD. (That sign is the Yugoslav designation for USA. Shoulda read FAB.)
Sarajevo, 1984: This is also some premium America, and is not at all SAD. (That sign is the Yugoslav designation for USA. Shoulda read FAB.)
Jack Smith/AP
<strong>Montreal, 1976:</strong> It's hard to see, but your eyes do not deceive you. Behind the presidential-candidate neckties is a sea of patriotic neckerchiefs.
Montreal, 1976: It's hard to see, but your eyes do not deceive you. Behind the presidential-candidate neckties is a sea of patriotic neckerchiefs.
AP
<strong>Innsbruck, 1976:</strong> Wow, remember when we just wore normal-looking clothes?
Innsbruck, 1976: Wow, remember when we just wore normal-looking clothes?
AP
<strong>Munich, 1972: </strong>Good news, ladies! You will stay cool and sporty in white tennis skirts. Oh, the bad news? Your top half will be roasting in a blazer and scarf. Men, same thing. The Olympics is no place for comfort.
Munich, 1972: Good news, ladies! You will stay cool and sporty in white tennis skirts. Oh, the bad news? Your top half will be roasting in a blazer and scarf. Men, same thing. The Olympics is no place for comfort.
AP
<strong>Sapporo, 1972: </strong>Way before "boots with the fur" was a thing, they were, well, still a thing.
Sapporo, 1972: Way before "boots with the fur" was a thing, they were, well, still a thing.
AP
<strong>Mexico, 1968:</strong> Listen, this seriously needs to happen. There really needs to be an Olympic throwback collection, and these white dress/sweater things need to be in it. We'll pass on the men's navy turtlenecks, though.
Mexico, 1968: Listen, this seriously needs to happen. There really needs to be an Olympic throwback collection, and these white dress/sweater things need to be in it. We'll pass on the men's navy turtlenecks, though.
Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
<strong>Tokyo, 1964:</strong> The important takeaway from looking back on decades of Olympic uniforms is that white pants didn't just happen to us. We LET them happen to us, over and over again.
Tokyo, 1964: The important takeaway from looking back on decades of Olympic uniforms is that white pants didn't just happen to us. We LET them happen to us, over and over again.
AP
<strong>Rome, 1960:</strong> Our striped barbershop-quartet hat game was strong. <br />
Rome, 1960: Our striped barbershop-quartet hat game was strong.
David Lees/LIFE/Getty Images
<strong>Squaw Valley, 1960:</strong> When it comes to military looks, there's fashionably military -- cocked berets, flashy epaulettes and such things -- and then there's uncomfortably military. This is the latter.
Squaw Valley, 1960: When it comes to military looks, there's fashionably military -- cocked berets, flashy epaulettes and such things -- and then there's uncomfortably military. This is the latter.
AP
<strong>Cortina d'Ampezzo, 1956:</strong> The black and white photograph really betrays this look. That fur hat was RED. And those ski pants were BLUE. It was a party! <br />
Cortina d'Ampezzo, 1956: The black and white photograph really betrays this look. That fur hat was RED. And those ski pants were BLUE. It was a party!
Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
US Olympic team uniforms: A look back...

Story highlights

This year's Ralph Lauren designs have been mocked

Previous years' Team USA uniforms weren't all sartorial gems either

CNN  — 

For the lazy, unathletic masses, sitting on the couch and judging the Opening Ceremonies is the closest we Americans will ever get to actually competing in the Olympics.

The Games are a time to truly come together as a nation, to look upon our finest athletes and to say together as one:

“Ew. What are they wearing?”

team usa olympics uniform daily hit newday_00000921.jpg
team usa olympics uniform daily hit newday_00000921.jpg
Team USA
video

Related video Team USA Olympic uniforms receive heat on social media

This hallowed tradition will no doubt continue Friday, thanks to the 2016 Olympic uniform designs by preppy standard-bearer Ralph Lauren. The uniforms display some of the classic hallmarks of Olympics past: Clean white bottoms, navy blazers, a combination of red, white and blue … and a secret homage to the Russian flag.

Oh.

Design flaws aside, it was far from the most offensive or even the most talked-about round of Olympic regalia.

Quiz: What kind of Olympian are you?

Click through the gallery above for a poly blend trip back in time through cowboy hats, oversized coats, slap-chopped American flag motifs and TRACK SUITS.