No one does classic, All-American sportswear like Ralph Lauren. So when Lauren was tapped to design the outfits for the US Olympic team, it seemed like a match made in preppy heaven. (Which, incidentally, is another name for Vancouver.)
With outfits to be worn in the opening and closing ceremonies and during athletes' downtime in the Olympic Village, Lauren has created pieces with a vintage, 1940s aesthetic and modern fabrics in a palette of navy, white and red (surprise). Lauren's Olympic pieces feature mostly clean solids of fleece and lightweight down with some traditional detailing and prints thrown in, like the opening ceremony parade uniform of a cotton fleece pant, a navy and red down jacket, a cable turtleneck, and a wool hat adorned with the American flag.
Our favorite piece? The closing ceremony fitted wool jacket, in navy blue with red trim, oversize buttons and varsity lettering of U.S.A. across the back. We can picture Babe Didrikson or Dick Button wearing it, especially topped with Lauren's natty navy riding cap.
Ralph Lauren is selling the 2010 Olympic Winter Games Collection at all Ralph Lauren Polo stores and at ralphlauren.com. Though it doesn't include our favorite ceremony pieces, there are a variety of polos, graphic tees, vests, sweatshirts, and jackets, and even a cream reindeer sweater, all with Olympic colors and logos for getting in the Winter Games spirit.