Throughout the history of the Games, the best Olympic uniforms have always reflected the era’s zeitgeist. After all, what Olympic athletes wear to compete is essential—to both their performance and legacy—so their uniforms must balance practicality and innovation while also exuding national pride and identity. With the help of major designers and brands—Ralph Lauren, Levi Strauss, Christian Louboutin, Giorgio Armani, Halston, and more—the most memorable Olympic uniforms have managed to seamlessly accomplish all of the above.
Of course, sports and fashion have a long, intertwined history. Michael Jordan’s signature jump shot was stamped on the back of every Nike Air Jordan. Tennis champion René Lacoste created Lacoste’s iconic polo shirt. The pleated tennis skirts of Wimbledon are said to have inspired the signature flapper look of the 1920s. Now, with the Olympic Games in Paris fast approaching, there’s a whole new opportunity to witness that intersection.
Ahead of what is sure to be an inspiring and memorable Paris 2024—both in terms of style and athletic feats—here is a look back at some of the best Olympic uniforms of all time, as seen at the opening ceremonies, on the field, and at every Olympic event in between.
1960: Team USA
The royal blue warm-up suits worn by the US women’s gymnastics team at the 1960 Olympics were simple yet powerful. With red-and-white piping details down the sides, these tracksuits nod to the era’s fascination with astronauts and space.
1968: Team Mexico
While not specifically created for Mexico’s athletes, the psychedelic uniforms designed by Irma Dubost and Julie Murdoch for the guides at Mexico City’s 1968 Summer Games are definitely worth a second look: a high-neck minidress with a sleeveless cape in a swirling print. The look feels perfectly in line with the mod movement of the time.
1976: Team USA
For the 1976 Winter Olympics in Colorado Springs, the figure skaters of Team USA during their downtime wore red leisure suits featuring a very ’70s silhouette, with high necks, flare hems, and red-white-and-blue star trim.
1976: Team USA
The red tank top and blue shorts worn by Team USA long jumper Martha Watson call to mind the ensemble of another superstar: Wonder Woman, as played by Lynda Carter in the TV series that debuted the same year.
1984: Team Japan
The sparkly flame design on Miwako Motoyoshi and Saeko Kimura’s white swimsuits—which featured a deep neckline—were quintessentially 1980s and are burned into many synchronized-swimming fans’ memories. Their elegant performance at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles earned them the bronze medal.
1988: Team USA
Florence Griffith Joyner was known for her speed—and her fierce personal style. In the 1988 Summer Games in Seoul, she broke the Olympic record for the 100-meter dash wearing a hooded running suit complemented by red lipstick and her signature extra-long nails (painted patriotic red, white, and blue with gold accents in honor of the medal she was after). Her good-luck nails worked: She actually ended up taking home three gold medals that year.
1988: Team Canada
Team Canada took a more-is-more approach for the opening ceremony of the 1988 Winter Games in Calgary, Canada. Both female and male athletes marched in bright red trench-style coats trimmed with white fringe and topped with white cowboy hats; Calgary is known as Cowtown, after all.
1996: Team USA
In 1996, all eyes were on the USA women’s gymnastics team, which was known as the Magnificent Seven. The team—which included Kerri Strug, Dominique Moceanu, Shannon Miller, Amy Chow, Amanda Borden, Jaycie Phelps, and Dominique Dawes (pictured above)—would go on to win the United States’ first-ever team gold medal in the sport, wearing now iconic white leotards emblazoned with a large Stars and Stripes motif and scrunchies.
2004: Team Russia
Russia’s Olympic synchronized-swimming team stunned at the 2004 Olympics in Athens—and not just because of their gold-winning performance. Their uniforms featured neon flower patterns on a sparkly neutral background that matched their skin so perfectly it appeared nearly sheer.
2012: Team India
The athletes of Team India were elegant at the opening ceremony for the 2012 London Games in coordinating canary yellow saris and Rajasthani pagris. Their march was famously interrupted by a crasher who ran from the stands to walk with them, but it was their striking uniforms that truly stole the show.
2012: Team Jamaica
The eye-catching yellow ensembles worn at the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony were designed by Cedella Marley, daughter of Bob Marley. While opening-ceremony uniforms usually match, the designer opted for a slew of pieces, ranging from blazers to miniskirts to ornate scarves, that the athletes could mix and match. Men’s 100-meter and 200-meter champion Usain Bolt led the charge, carrying his country’s flag and wearing bold yellow pants.
2018: Team Mexico
Mexico’s alpine ski team wore black snowsuits adorned with intricate sugar skulls, a nod to their country’s well-known Day of the Dead tradition. The suits were designed for the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics by alpine ski team leader Sarah Schleper, who is pictured wearing the uniform alongside teammate Rodolfo Dickson.
2020: Kenya
For the opening ceremony of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics—which actually took place in 2021, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic—the Kenyan delegation wore violet-and-red gingham dresses with billowing capes and strappy sandals. The look was created by Wanja Ngare, a Kenyan designer known for using prints, textiles, and silhouettes inspired by her Maasai culture.
2022: Team China
Team China’s American-born freestyle skier Eileen Gu became the breakout star of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. The 18-year-old was the first woman to win the gold medal in the sport—and also won plenty of accolades worldwide for her sleek style and eye-catching headwear.