Looking Back at Team USA's Olympic Uniforms

While America’s participation in the Olympics began well into the 19th century, designer uniforms didn't really emerge until 1976 when famed American fashion designer Halston took the lead on sponsoring all official uniforms for Team USA at the summer and winter Olympics that year. American retailer Montgomery Ward was in charge of physically producing the uniforms, and was also able to sell the full line of Olympian ensembles in its catalog (without the official insignia), providing Halston with a small percentage of the profits.

Four years later, Levi Strauss took over the job at the 1980 Winter Olympic Games in Lake Placid, NY. The U.S. team members arrived in cowboy hats and tan shearling jackets inspired by the "Great Out West."

Several brands had a go at styling Team USA throughout the 90’s and early 2000’s including casual Canadian company Roots from 2002 until Ralph Lauren steps onto the scene in 2008, foraging the partnership we know to this day.

Let’s take a look back at some of our favorite Team USA looks throughout the years to get us in the olympic spirit, hurrah!

Members of the women’s swim team at the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium.

1948 team uniforms for the opening in London, England.

American Olympic sprinter Wilma Rudolph in the final steps of a race at the 1960 Summer Games in Rome, Italy.

Team USA figure skater Peggy Fleming in the Olympic parade uniform for the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France.

The women of the United States Olympic team leading into the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympic Games in Mexico City, 1968.

American men’s Olympic ice hockey team celebrate after receiving their gold medals in Lake Placid, New York, 1980. Sweatsuits designed by Levi Strauss.

Uniforms designed by Levi Strauss for the Winter Olympics in 1984 in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia.

US Olympic team at the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games, Seoul, South Korea, on Sept. 17, 1988.

The US women's softball team while being awarded the gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.

Uniforms designed by Roots for the 2006 Olympics held in Torin, Italy.

Team USA in Ralph Lauren during the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games held in London, England.

2014 we said LET’S KEEP IT COZY. Team USA marched out in these loud Ralph Lauren cardigans and white sweatpants for the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

Ralph Lauren’s 2016 Summer Olympic uniforms in Rio, Brazil. T’was a boat shoe summer!

Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for more history deep dives on The Assemblist and our Instagram.

Go Team USA!