“The first time I put on the Team USA jersey with my teammates, I got chills,” Rico Roman of USA sled hockey said. “I’ll never forget that. It’s something special.”
What is it about uniforms that makes a sporting event so powerful, a team so motivated and a nation so proud?
The Olympics have always been the primary opportunity for nations to “strut their stuff” and represent their country with class.
“What I’ve learned from my sport is endurance for the journey, having an impact and representing your country with pride and power,” Aja Evans of Team USA’s bobsled team said. “The moment we’re up there, and the uniform is on, all of those things come together.”
Athletes hold the honor of representing their country to the highest standard.
“There is truly no feeling like putting on the Team USA uniform for the first time,” said U.S. figure skater Jason Brown. “It’s this feeling of camaraderie, teamwork and sportsmanship. It’s so much bigger than yourself.”
Here’s how Winter Olympic uniforms and gear have evolved and which fashion items need an update for the 2026 Milan Cortina Games:
What is Team USA wearing to the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Team USA will wear Polo Ralph Lauren-designed attire at the 2026 Games, starting with a clean, all‑white look during the Opening Ceremony. The outfit pairs a white wool coat with wooden toggles, a flag‑patterned wool turtleneck and matching wool trousers.
For the Closing Ceremony, the team shifts to a brighter, vintage‑ski‑inspired style, featuring a color‑blocked puffer jacket, a patriotic wool sweater and white utility pants. Both looks are finished with intarsia‑knit hats and mittens, a leather belt and suede alpine boots. Every piece in both uniforms is made in the United States.
How has the uniform evolved over the years?
Uniforms have come a long way since the Olympics began back in 1896. There is a big difference between the attire worn at the 1920 Antwerp Games and the uniforms worn for the next century up to the 2026 Milan Cortina Games. Take a look at the evolution here.
In the beginning, the U.S. wore clothing that would be deemed a bit traditional and old-fashioned if worn today. In 1932, varsity sweaters and berets were debuted. In 1960, blue tracksuits were introduced to gymnasts, which have now become a U.S. staple. Suits and skirts were popular in 1972 and for the Lake Placid games in 1980, Levi Strauss & Co. implemented the “Old West” look for athletes. Team USA paraded Ralph Lauren-designed “ugly Christmas sweaters” in Sochi in 2014, fringed camel-colored gloves for PyeongChang in 2018 and showed off puffer down jackets for the Beijing 2022 Games.
What did Team USA wear during the 2024 Paris Olympics?
Team USA’s Paris 2024 uniforms, designed by Ralph Lauren, blended classic American style with a modern, Paris‑inspired edge.
For the Opening Ceremony, athletes wore tailored navy blazers, cream trousers and a striped red‑white‑blue shirt, creating a polished look suited to the historic Seine boat parade. The Closing Ceremony outfit shifted to a more relaxed vibe, featuring white denim and a navy moto‑style jacket with subtle patriotic detailing.
Designer Ralph Lauren is once again outfitting the U.S. Olympic athletes who will compete during the Summer games in Paris.
The colors across both outfits leaned into that classic red‑white‑and‑blue vibe, but the cuts and details kept everything feeling fresh and modern.
Who designs Olympic attire?
The official outfitter for Team USA is Polo Ralph Lauren. The company designs the attire worn in both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, as well as the village wear for everyday use during the Games.
How does Ralph Lauren design the attire?
Ralph Lauren’s Olympic uniforms are brought to life through a network of American manufacturers, each contributing their own expertise to Team USA’s parade looks.
For the Beijing 2022 Games, Rancourt & Co. of Lewiston, Maine, produced the team’s boots while Andari Fashion in El Monte, California, crafted the knit Closing Ceremony sweaters and hats. The wool for those sweaters came from Shaniko Wool Co. in Oregon, reinforcing the fully American‑made supply chain.
Jamie Anderson, Aja Evans, and Ryan Cochran-Siegle, who are sponsored by Ralph Lauren, unveil the company’s new outfits for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
During the 2020 Tokyo Games, Rancourt & Co. designed the team’s sneakers, and Andari Fashion once again led the knitwear work.
For the 2018 PyeongChang Games, Better Team USA in Clifton, New Jersey, created the Opening and Closing Ceremony jackets, featuring heating technology in some pieces, while Andari Fashion contributed additional knitwear pieces.
Going back to Rio 2016, Rancourt & Co. produced the iconic boat shoes while Andari Fashion supported the knitwear elements for the team.
What kind of materials are used?
The materials used for Team USA’s uniforms are all sustainable and traceable.
Ralph Lauren uses source-verified U.S.-grown wool, recycled polyester and recycled nylon. A specific recycled polyester used is called “repreve,” which is essentially a yarn made from plastic bottles, which the company uses for Team USA footwear. For the down jackets, the company crafts “Primaloft black” to ensure warmth without the bulk of down, as well as recycled down material. And finally, for logos on the attire, a recycled polyester called “Polartec” is used and made from plastic bottles.
What do staff, volunteers and officials wear to the Games?
Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 unveiled its official uniforms in November, revealing a collection designed specifically for the two worlds the Games inhabit: the urban setting and the alpine environment: city and mountains.
Salomon’s design approach emphasizes bold color‑blocking and high‑visibility contrasts, ensuring staff and volunteers stand out clearly in both city settings and snowy mountain terrain. The overall look is sleek, functional and distinctly Italian.
