While patriotic Americans prepare to cheer on Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics, some are already not enthusiastic about what some athletes will wear to represent the nation at the closing ceremony.
American fashion brand Ralph Lauren has been the Team USA Official Outfitter for athletes at opening and closing ceremonies for nine consecutive Olympic and Paralympic games since 2008, "bringing the heritage of sporting elegance into the modern era", according to their website.
The quintessentially American brand will continue the tradition as Paris begins welcoming international competitors on July 26, and the fashion house has already unveiled the looks, which feature a striped oxford shirt underneath a navy blazer with red and white piping details to be worn at the closing ceremony.
Here's a preview.
But what had the internet buzzing most was the closing ceremony look.
Ralph Lauren described the athleisure outfit, including a denim moto-style jacket with matching white jeans and a baseball cap, as having "Sporty-inspired graphics and patches" merging with a "bold color-blocked design to capture a patriotic spirit."
Take a look at the carousel of images and see what all the fuss is about.
Ralph Lauren's chief branding and innovation officer David Lauren told CNN at a preview of the collection on Monday:
"We're so proud to dress Team USA."
"We worked very closely with the athletes, with the Olympic Committee, to create (a collection) we think tells a story about America."
Lauren continued:
"We want the athletes to walk out on a global stage feeling like they are ambassadors of American culture, American leadership and American sportsmanship."
"I think that Ralph Lauren is able to understand that ethos and bring it to life."
He added that the patriotic apparel was "The American dream for us at Ralph Lauren and for everybody watching."
And judging.
Many thought the sporty finery with multiple patches everywhere belonged on the NASCAR racetrack rather than on the field of an Olympic stadium in the fashion capital of the world.
@ralphlauren/Instagram
@ralphlauren/Instagram
@ralphlauren/Instagram
@ralphlauren/Instagram
The fashion-savvy were not impressed.
@ralphlauren/Instagram
@ralphlauren/Instagram
@ralphlauren/Instagram
Moviegoers were reminded of the 2006 sports comedy film Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby starring Will Ferrell as a NASCAR driver.
@ralphlauren/Instagram
Ricky Bobby Sony GIF by Talladega NightsGiphy
@ralphlauren/Instagram
Not everyone was all revved up over the closing ceremony outfit road rage.
Some appreciated the look's spirited, sporty aesthetic and responded favorably.
@ralphlauren/Instagram
@ralphlauren/Instagram
@ralphlauren/Instagram
@ralphlauren/Instagram
Others shared concerns about athletes' comfort in the sizzling Paris heat and the distracting detailing of the jacket.
@ralphlauren/Instagram
@ralphlauren/Instagram
@ralphlauren/Instagram
The fashion scrutiny didn't stop eager consumers from wanting to snag the outfit for themselves.
Even Paralympic swimmer Jamal Hill, a bronze medal winner at the 2020 Tokyo Games, is a fan.
He praised Ralph Lauren's designs, telling CNN:
"I think this collection in its entirety does a really good job of combining classic American style with a little bit more of that contemporary feel."
When an eager Instagrammer asked if the look was available to the public for purchase, a cheeky user quipped that the items could be found at "the merch stand at Talladega."
Ralph Lauren's Team USA Opening and Closing Ceremony uniform apparel and a collection of Team USA apparel and accessories are available now for purchase online and in stores in the U.S. and France.
So put the pedal to the metal if you want to buy the racy duds before they sell out.
Jane Rosenberg
Jane Rosenberg
@arianagrande/Instagram
@arianagrande/Instagram