The Opening Ceremony of the 2016 Olympic Games was an impressive show that received a lot of praise from critics and from the public alike. The grandiose show held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was extremely intricate, sophisticated and, more than that, complex. It can be said that it even featured a fashion show, and not only because Gisele Bündchen walked the stadium to honor her homeland, but also because the Parade of Nations segment featured some really impressive looks. Granted, the Olympic Games Opening ceremony is not about fashion, but such great outfits deserve to be noticed and praised.
Discover the looks that made our fashion edit:
The Israeli delegation wore really great outfits during the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games. Their athletic jackets, featuring a print with an interesting play with shapes and a very calming color palette; based on blue, white and black were very stylish and on-trend. Talk about elegant sportswear!
Also going for a blue and black aesthetic, team Bahamas wore one of the most stylish uniforms from the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony in Rio. Their simple tracksuits reminded us of the beautiful waters of the Bahamas and conveyed strength and business. So, yes, the answer is, you can look business in a tracksuit.
The Hungarian delegation looked like they had just stepped off a runway in Budapest and went right on to the Olympic stadium in Rio de Janeiro. The dresses worn by the ladies were truly stunning and stole the whole show! Talk about European style! Great job!
Wearing something which seemed to have come from a fairytale, the Indonesian delegation worked some very unique clothes during the Parade of Nations. We loved not only the red prints on the crisp white jackets, but also the accent fabrics on the collars and cuffs. The accessories were also great: the ties and hats definitely completed the outfits!
Dressed in stunning red, white and blue looks, the Serbian delegation was runway ready. The Serbian outfits were everything: we loved the play with proportions (long dresses and short jackets), the details (the red shoes) and the styling (simple hairstyles that let the wearers' personalities shine through). Great job!
The Canadian Parade of Nations outfits were simple, but very complex and thought-through. They featured the iconic Canadian maple leaf on a red background, deriving the outfits from the Canadian flag. The reason why the Canadian delegation was one of the best is because the designer of the looks thought them through, meaning the outfits were created to look great both individually and as a group, making the Canadian delegation look like an enchanted forest. It's always important to dress in a way that creates a group impression if you are going to an occasion where you will be working or having fun in a group.
Bringing the cold air of the Norwegian mountains to sunny Rio, this Scandinavian delegation wore a mix of mountain chill and beach hot. The outfits of the Norwegian delegation really showed how elements can be mixed in a subtle and elegant way - cold colors on sunny cuts (for example, the shorts). We also loved how the bold colors were balanced out by the pure white. Well done!
Team USA, led by Michael Phelps, wore Ralph Lauren once again and the outfits were as magical as they can get. Going for a very bright and clean aesthetic, the RL looks worn by the American delegation were a great expression of what American style currently is, as they were preppy, sporty and dynamic, but elegant at the same time.
The British delegation pulled off a highly fancy ensemble in red, white and black. We really enjoyed the sophistication of the outfits, which featured sharp lines and chic textures. The interesting details such as the belts, the cut, placement and size of the pockets and so on, distinguished the outfits from other uniforms in a similar color palette. This should be enough proof of how the cut and details of the outfit can make it or break it and that color and shape are not the only things that matter.
These looks go to show once more that fashion is and should be a part of the fabric of life: it should reflect us, our context and the setting for which we are dressing. These looks are the paramount of this concept: they reflect the idea of sports, of nations and of celebration in en elegant and very subtle way. And that is what Olympics fashion should be all about!
Fraquoh and Franchomme
P.S. We want to hear from you! Which Parade of Nations Outfit did you like best? Why? Will you be following this year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro? Share your feedback, questions or thoughts in the comments below! For more articles on style, fashion tips and cultural insights, you can subscribe to Attire Club via e-mail or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!
