Tell me who’s not excited about the Olympic Games 2012 coming right up in London? For all fashionistas out there who are also crazy about sports, games and fitness, I’m sure you give more than 2 hoots about it – like me! I’m definitely very anxious to see which fashion labels are running along the Olympic fever 
Top fashion labels roped in to dress the Olympians this year include Giorgio Armani, Prada, Stella McCartney, Ralph Lauren and more – this Olympic year some national teams are set to wear designer threads for sport.
Sportswear brands adidas, Fila, Puma and others have upped the style stakes too: we’re pleasantly surprised by their stylish takes on sporty fashion.
Still, it’s hard to find anything less contentious than national uniform designs: opinions range from unadulterated admiration to a flood of criticism. And all that the teams generally want is simple, comfortable attire they can wear with pride. Here. Are. The. 8 team kits!
Unveiled in March, the Stella McCartney designs upped the sartorial stakes with a distinct graphic print inspired by the British flag. While these drew flak for taking the red out of the Union Jack, I really dig the reinvented design. The kit’s cool blue hues are easy on the eyes and the strategically-placed stripes keep the team outfits lean and stylish, not outlandish.
Triple jumper Phillips Idowu, fashion designer Stella McCartney and Heptathlon athlete Jessica Ennis at the official British team kit launch.
High-street brand Next clads the athletes in more conventional outfits for their off the field attire: The Union Jack makes an appearance only as a subtle gold foil print on the women’s formal wear. Sleek as they may be, can you shake off its uncanny resemblance to flight attendant uniforms?
Preppy chic dominates again this year for the American team. The polo shirt and cream pants combination is summer-ready wear; plus, it looks as American as you can get with those large logo placements.
Nautical inspiration reigns for the team’s formal wear: athletes don buttoned-up blazers with cream pants with matching accessories covered in red, blue and white stripes. While some feel that the berets make the attire appear more French than American, it’s a nice way to top off a polished (though conventional) look. However the fact that the uniforms were mostly produced in China while the American textile industry has been steadily losing jobs for the last couple of year has seen these particular uniforms become a topic in Washington as the politicians range themselves for or against; it’s an election year after all.
Jamaica: Cedella Marley for Puma
The funkiest team kit of the lot; with the team attitude to match. These exuberant designs were the work of Cedella Marley, the eldest daughter of the late reggae icon Bob Marley. With the vibrant Jamaican shades of green, yellow and black, it’s a sporty, stand-out look. Another nice touch: the team’s casual wear features Bob Marley-inspired prints and a photo graphic of Jamaica’s first Olympic champion, Arthur Wint; how’s that for national pride.
Cedella Marley designs the team wear for Jamaica’s Track & Field team
Instead of suiting up, Marley opts for denim and cargo, and it works well: The military-inspired design also makes the men’s uniform look stylish, not stuffy.
Subtlety seems to be key for these almost monochrome numbers. The Italian colours of red and green are conspicuously missing: you’ll find those hues only on the team insignia and on sock trimmings. The only sign of the Italian flag? Placed on the edge of the sleeves. Super understated but at least it does look like attire that real athletes would wear.
This year, not one but two fashion houses are dressing the Italian athletes. As the official sponsor for the Italian sailing team, Prada has designed sleek, streamlined numbers solely for these athletes. Cool blues reflect the aquatic nature of the sport and again, the Italian shades of red and green are conspicuously absent.
South Korea: Fila and Bean Pole
This well-cut, sailor-esque formal wear is a chic mix that makes athletes look smart and stylish. Cheering the choice of doing away with all-too-prim skirts, the female athletes don pants instead, with striped tees, red scarves and yes, fedoras too. There’s even bags designed for the athletes: sleek white envelope satchels, slim enough to tote just mobile phones and a few essentials; even the super-stylish guys get a bag!
After dressing German athletes in Winter Olympic kits for 17 years, Bogner now turns its hand to designing for the Summer Games. The fedoras and the jacket colours may be a tad more summer-appropriate but the weatherproof jackets, though slim-cut, look like they’re from the wrong season; the athletes look like they’ve just descended from an Alpine retreat. Colour choices seem to hark to traditional pinks for women, blues for men divide and the German flag colours are almost absent (save for the fedoras). But at least this team kit still looks contemporary: look at the next photo of the New Zealand team to see what I mean.
The boucle jacket looks fine, the white piping a nice touch. Yet the dress shapes remain stuck in the post-war forties: fern prints deck the motherly knee-length dress, which also sports an awkward bow on top. The men may look dapper enough in their blazers and grey suit but we do wish that the women were dressed more like the Olympians that they are, rather than prim-looking housewives cheering their men on.
***
Whether you are an avid sports fan or not, the upcoming summer games in London is surely registering somewhere on your radar.
The good news is, there is a way to be part of the Olympics fever without having to stake out in front of your television set or be glued to all the sports updates online.
Maybe a few Olympics-themed gear, think footwear, t-shirts, jewellery and tote bags, that will let you feel like you’re part of the three-week frenzy in London???
Game on!
Gap London Edition collection, from $29, Gap
Show your Olympics spirit with these specially-designed Gap t-shirts, tank tops and tote bags that incorporate the British flag in a not too overt manner. Available from Gap Wisma Atria, Gap VivoCity and Gap Centrepoint.
All items shown retail at $40
Britannia Hotlips ring, $2,400, Solange Azagury-Partridge
Made from sterling silver and lacquer, this version of the signature Solange Azagury-Patridge hotlips ring has been decked out in the London flag; perfect for celebrating the London 2012 Olympics in style.
Olympic collection charms, from $56, Pandora
If you only want to commemorate the London 2012 Olympics in a tiny way, do so on your wrist, with these Olympics charms from Pandora. Add one (or all) on to your current collection of charms, they are cute enough to wear even after the Olympics fever.
From left: Silver with multi-coloured murano glass, $56, Union Jack bus, $76, Medal silver dangle(front and back), $67
Olympic graphic t-shirts, $33.90, Lee Cooper
Quirky Olympic-themed t-shirts are a rare sight, which is why Lee Cooper chose to tone down the atheletic vibe of typical Olympic-themed memorabilia, instead opting for t-shirts that are pure fun – like the Medallion t-shirt, which looks like you’re a winner in every sport.
Available at Lee Cooper boutiques and BHG, OG, Isetan and Metro department stores.
Summer Olympic games collection, from $24.90, Everlast
All ready to show your support for team sports? Go for the highlight of Everlast’s Olympics range; the gold-foil graphic t-shirt that supports the American boxing team. If low-key is more your style, pick up a couple of the 100 per cent cotton t-shirts in green, pink or black emblazoned with the “Let The Game Begin” phrase.
Available at all Everlast boutiques and major department stores.
All t-shirts shown retail for $24.90
Summer 2012 Commemorative Pack, from $99, New Balance
What better way to celebrate the Olympics in style than a new pair of running shoes? Head straight to New Balance for their Summer 2012 Commemorative Pack which features the classic New Balance 574 and 420 models in punchy shades of the British flag, red, white and blue.
Available from New Balance stores.
The U420 model retails for $99, while the ML574 model retails for $115.
Here’s one for avid watch collectors. Omega has been the official timekeeper for the Olympic Games for 25 years now, and back in 1948 during the first London Olympics, the Omega Seamaster watch was launched. This relaunch of the Seamaster watch is meant to commemorate that; which is why only 1,948 pieces have been produced. A real Olympics treasure like no other.
Bally-rina Athena sneaker and Hanoe tote, Bally
Prefer something with a more feminine touch? Bally’s well-loved Bally-rina has been worked into their Olympics range, first into the Athena high-tops – hidden behind the back zip – and also into the Hanoe fabric tote. Who said atheleticism isn’t adorable?
The Bally-rina collection will be available in store and online.
***
A screenshot of the “2012 Olympics Nail Art ” video by pixiepolish.
The 2012 Summer Olympics kick off in London July 27, but if you’re a beauty junkie who’s more interested in checking out the rhythmic gymnastics teams’ makeup than their leaps and pirouettes, why not show your enthusiasm with an Olympic-inspired manicure.
When it comes to selecting your Olympic-themed manicure, there are an array of tutorials to offer inspiration and technical aid via YouTube. Here is a selection of some of the best!
Lord of the rings
Blending Union Jacks with the Olympic Rings, this design by pixiepolish is the ideal way to pay tribute to this year’s Summer Olympics host city. Requirements include acrylic crafting paints in blue, black, red, yellow, green and white as well as a toothpick.
London calling
Ladies lucky enough to be visiting the British capital during the Games will no doubt need to familiarize themselves with the London Underground system. Here, sweetienails offers a colourful manicure based on the city’s underground map.
Fire fire
When it began back in May, the 2012 Summer Olympics torch relay inspired NailsbyJenny to come up with this easy-to-recreate glittery design that will evoke the spark of the Olympic flame perfectly.
And finally, one by Michelle Phan for 4th of July – Team USA nail art tutorial with matching eye makeup!
Enjoy, folks!
herworldplus.com
Bringing You All The Action From The London Olympics
Love Grecian dresses! Sienna Miller supposedly “used” to be the IT girl but I think she still is!
This shade of purple’s like my favourite right now – and yes of course – it complements any skin tone, any hairstyle and flatters your silhouette with its majestic hues.
These are Spring’s hottest looks – denim, candy colours, pastels, florals, nautical and prints. Always, always the most exciting and colourful season.
And most definitely, maxi dresses are back with all pomp and splendor – wear it pretty with minimal accessories and shades/a hat. Go under the sun for some play and you’ll just be the one who will get all the attention!
Cheryl Cole’s one of those sophisticated ladies who always looks effortless chic! Uh-huh, she doesn’t need Ashley Cole on her arm to look better!
Love the sailor prom dress and spot corsage vest!
The rose printed lantern dress is AWESOME! – A hot favourite on Missselfridge.com!
Playsuits are always so easy to wear and so cute for casual day outs!
Forever 21 Mesh Corset Dress
LOOKBOOK.nu: collective fashion consciousness.
It looks like a cross between this
and this!
Cozycot's 100 Most Inspiring Real Woman 2011
Co-Founder of Online Store Ferosha & Eclat
