Reminiscing the Best Olympic Opening Ceremony Outfits

Missing the Olympics already? Here’s one last review of the fashion in the world's most athletic runway.

by Olivia Boyer ★ AUGUST 19, 2024

If you’re already missing the Olympics content, we’re here to give you one last boost to hold you over until LA 2028. 

Let’s be real, the Olympic opening ceremony was totally overstimulating. I was so busy trying to figure out who the masked figure was that I almost missed the countless boats floating down the Seine.

The best part of the opening ceremony is the fashion. I always watch with my friends and rank every single team as they come into the frame. Here are my top 5 best Olympic opening ceremony outfits.

5. Poland

The Polish delegation pulled out an incredibly preppy and stylish look for the opening ceremony, sporting cable knit sweaters, floral print, and tailored white pants.

The uniforms were designed by Polish fashion brand BIZUU and are available for purchase online, although the Olympic emblems have been removed.

Various articles have pointed out the connection of these outfits to “croquet” fashion, joking that if the sport was ever brought to the Olympics, the Polish team would be ready.

4. India

I have always loved the classical style with a twist, and the Indian Olympic delegation was DELIVERED. The men wore a white kurta with a jacket sporting the colors of the Indian flag, and the women wore sarees in the same fashion.

This uniform was a beautiful representation of traditional Indian clothing while still meeting the trendy, forward-looking vibe of the Olympics, celebrating the athletes’ accomplishments.

Although I loved this uniform, the internet had a different opinion, responding with shock and outrage. Many were upset that the designer, Tarun Tahiliani, opted to print the patterns on the uniforms rather than have them woven in the traditional Indian ikat weaves. Many thought that the uniform was a cop-out, especially for a country known for its textiles.

Tahiliani defended the choice by explaining that the print of ikat designs was necessary to meet the uniforms' deadlines.

While I understand the complaints visually, I think the uniforms still exceeded the standard, leaving a beautiful representation. And we all procrastinate sometimes, so who can complain?

3. Mongolia

Over the past several days, the Mongolian opening ceremony outfits have gone viral on social media. Designed by the sister-owned Mongolian brand Michel & Amazonka, the beautifully embroidered dresses, vests, and other features perfectly embody Mongolian symbols and motifs, representing the traditional Mongolian art style.

It’s undeniable that these outfits are stunning, and they also convey a beautiful message about Mongolia, a culture that’s unknown to much of the world. The creators of Michel & Amazonka, sisters, Michel Choigaalaa and Amazonka Choigaalaa, stated they didn’t want to go anywhere else in the world for inspiration, that there’s loads of tradition and culture to show off in Mongolia.

2. Chinese Taipei

Chinese Taipei showed up and showed out for the Olympic opening ceremony, donning suits made by designer Justin Chou from Just In XX. The suits were created by combining ideas from several Taiwanese artists and designers, who brought together the streetwear brand.

Not only were these suits designed by Taiwanese artists, but they also feature traditional crafts of the country, such as floral broaches and banana fiber weaving, to create a wave-like design. These waves and curves symbolize the ‘Mountain Range of Taiwan,’ an artwork done by Taiwanese artist Paul Chaing in 2012.

To add the cherry on top of an already sick outfit is an optical illusion imagined by Chou and typographer designer Koika Lin. The words “Chinese Taipei” change into “Cheer on” when read to the side of the athlete's polos.

1. Haiti

The first word that comes to mind when looking at these uniforms is alluring. While they’re obviously stunning, the more I look at the details, the more I want to know about their meaning.

Created by Haitian-Italian designer Stell Jean, the outfits are meant to showcase Haiti's cultural richness, especially given the coverage and circulation of the country's political instability.

In 2021, the president of Haiti, Jovenel Moïse, was assassinated, and local gangs took over a large share of governmental control. These gangs have shut down airports, looted buildings and ports, and targeted police stations, specifically in the capital, Port-au-Prince.

These looks are meant to shed light on the beautiful culture and how, even in chaos, there is still beauty. The womenswear look includes a pattern by Philippe Dodard, a Haitian graphic artist, showcased on a full-length skirt for the women and pants for the men's look. These graphics are complemented by “blue cotton” spun shirts, a traditional weaving done in Haiti that is beginning to die out.

On top, the women's outfit features a recycled fabric sleeveless blazer with the Olympic emblem, while the men's features a field jacket inspired by Guayabera shirts, a reference to Jean’s grandfather.

These looks are stunning and deeply meaningful, making the uniform more engaging and resilient because of the story behind them.