Beijing 2022: the best and worst Winter Olympics outfits to look out for from Adidas, Columbia, Uniqlo, The North Face, Kim Kardashian’s Skims and more
- As Winter Olympics begin, all eyes will be on the athletes and what they are wearing during events, at the opening and closing ceremonies and when they win
- From Team USA’s preppy Ralph Lauren looks to China’s outfits by Oscar-winning costume designer Tim Yip Kam-tim, here are the best and worst ones to look out for
Millions of people around the world will be turning their eyes to the Chinese capital for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and the Paralympic Winter Games that follow soon after.
The athletes are ready to shine in front of the limited number of spectators, thanks to the event’s closed-loop system, allowed at events. Key to them performing at their best are the clothes that they wear, specifically designed for the daredevil sports on show at the three Games sites in Beijing, Yanqing and Zhangjiakou.
Hong Kong
As with the Tokyo 2020 Olympics last summer, Hong Kong’s delegation have been outfitted by South Korean-owned Italian sports manufacturer Fila.
China
Great Britain
Ben Sherman has outfitted the British team for the Games’ ceremonies in a range featuring deconstructed Union Jacks. There are navy pea coats, roll-necks and dog-tooth trousers for the opening, and dog-tooth jumpers and bobble hats to see the Games off. It’s a better effort than the ceremony outfits the team wore for Tokyo.
The uniforms are stylish and worthy but, if we’re honest, we won’t be seeing them on too many podiums.
France
The French team are wearing classic French brand Le Coq Sportif, which is outfitting the nation’s Olympians for the first time in 50 years. The brand has looked to its archives and to the French tricolour flag for design inspiration. The French have not risked their reputation for style with this collection.
Italy
The Italian athletes at Tokyo 2020 were decked out in Emporio Armani’s EA7 sportswear range and that collaboration continues at Beijing 2022. Expect winter-ready sportswear that would look perfectly at home both on the street and the slopes.
Sweden
Japan
The uniforms are dominated by the colour red, with a few strong pieces such as a bubble jacket from Japanese snow sports brand Descente. The designs indicate that the Japanese athletes mean business.
Australia
The Aussie team’s Sportscraft wool coats, worn for the opening ceremony, have one of the nicest design touches of the Games – they feature the names of all 265 Australian Winter Olympians, going all the way back to Kenneth Kennedy in 1936.
Look out for a camo-style goose down jacket, made by Canadian brand Karbon, that will be seen on the slopes as well as green trousers and gold detailing. The Aussies will also have USB- powered heating vests with three different settings to combat the cold.
Canada
Events will see the country’s athletes in clothing from other manufacturers, such as a maple leaf ice hockey jersey by Nike.
Germany
Adidas continues its long-standing relationship with the German national team, this time putting athletes in designs inspired by the red, gold and black of the national flag.
Some have seen this collection as uninspired, similar as it is in style to those the sportswear brand has made for Team GB, but the outfits will not stymie the success of the athletes, who have been tipped for a strong showing in Beijing.
South Korea
Pre-Games publicity highlighted the team’s use of eco-friendly fabrics – some 200 recycled plastic bottles were used in each athlete’s outfit – but the main takeaway was that South Korea have a gold-medal-worthy kit.
Team USA
Where to start with the outfits that the Americans will wear in Beijing? Probably with the opening and closing ceremony outfits made by Ralph Lauren, whose relationship with the team dates back to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The unisex wardrobe is capped off by a check-print puffer jacket already creating a buzz despite a US$2,000 price tag.
US skiers will be wearing a collaborative effort between brand Spyder and graffiti artist Eric Haze, lifestyle brand Volcom is on snowboard duty and sportswear company Columbia has the honour of outfitting the curlers. Volcom has added a red, white and blue-striped faux rabbit’s foot to the snowboarding uniforms – but there’s no need for luck when you look this good.