It’s official: The 2024 Olympics are underway, and it all begins with the Opening Ceremony, which is always a spectacle since it’s the one time (aside from the Closing Ceremony) every athlete from every team is in one place and showing off their countries’ Olympic outfits. This time around, everyone’s going nautical, and the ceremony will take place on more than 80 boats in the Seine. Notable celebrities attending include torchbearer Snoop Dogg, U.S. flag bearers LeBron James and Coco Gauff, and possibly Céline Dion and Lady Gaga, who have been rumored to perform together.
Aside from all the activities, the event is also the first chance for viewers to catch a glimpse of each country’s uniforms, specifically the Opening Ceremony looks, which make a significant first impression. As the Opening Ceremony is underway, we’ve ranked the occasion’s uniforms based on the ones we can’t stop thinking about, from the best to the most boring. See the rankings below.
The Best Opening Ceremony Uniforms
Mongolia
So far, these Opening and Closing Ceremony uniforms designed by Mongolian couture brand Michel & Amazonka seem to be the crowd favorite, and rightfully so. They’re sleek but intricate and stand out among the others, and they consist of embroidered vests and dresses adorned with cultural symbols. “These symbols and rituals encapsulate profound cultural heritage and aspirations, resonating with themes of resilience, conquest, and cultural identity across diverse ceremonial traditions,” explained the designers on social media. “The ceremonial opening of the National Naadam Festival in Mongolia, marked by the raising of the Nine White Banners, draws parallels with the grand inauguration of the Olympic Games, characterized by the symbolic lighting of the flame and torch.”
Haiti
Haiti’s uniforms are by designer Stella Jean and feature Haitian painter Philippe Dodard’s piece Passage. Jean described the look as “a uniform for the rebirth of the first Black republic,” and it consists of a brightly patterned full skirt for the women, the same patterned pants for the men, and two traditional-inspired tops. The first is a chambray shirt made from Haiti’s “blue cotton,” and the second is a field jacket inspired by the Guayabera shirt.
Ireland
Irish designer Laura Weber took inspiration from the Greeks, who wore white during the first Olympics, when crafting the Opening Ceremony looks for Ireland under her brand, LW Pearl. There are hints of green throughout the look and details like a shamrock brooch and specific embroidery for each athlete’s home county on the sleeve.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s uniforms, created by Lovi Ceylon, are a nod to history. The white garments use silk, handmade embroidery, and beadwork to represent the looks of the royal courts of the 19th century.
LOVI Ceylon goes to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games!
— Team Sri Lanka (@OlympicLK) July 12, 2024
An Olympic athlete is rare indeed—fueled by the singular drive to be the best in the world. LOVI honours that drive by dressing our own Sri Lankan Olympians in Paris this year.#NOCSriLanka #Loviceylon pic.twitter.com/wpSkELqjVv
Taiwan
Justin Chou, the head designer of Just in XX, assembled a team of Taiwanese designers to create a sustainable and textured suit, paying attention to all the details, down to the handmade floral lapels attached to each athlete’s suit.
Portugal
These suits, designed by Decenio, feature a cool silhouette and extra details — like a floral lining and V-neck bodysuit for the women — that make these stand out.
Portugal ????????
— 21 (@21metgala) July 21, 2024
Opening Ceremony Uniform
Designed by: DECENIO pic.twitter.com/Ys7WI9YRUI
Bermuda
I love a good pun, so seeing Bermuda in their little boat in pink Bermuda shorts, designed by local fashion designers Courtney Clay, Channing Dill and Alana Wade, did it for me. Bravo!
The Fine Opening Ceremony Uniforms
Morocco
These suits, made up of red pants and beige suit jackets, were designed by Ali Drissi to be light and functional. While there are nods to the color of the flag, this feels too simple and I wish there were more details.
Czech Republic
“When I walked by the Seine River in Paris, where the Opening Ceremonial was to take place, the wind always blew there. Therefore, plastic — Czech balloon, current references to a trench coat so popular in France — will float in the wind and will stand out among suits or jackets of other countries,” explained designer Jan Société. The color of these uniforms is amazing, but compared to some of the other suits, they feel a little too casual for me.
USA
Earlier, I did say that Team USA would likely get a ten out of ten from me on their uniforms, but after seeing some of the others, I have to change my mind. Don’t get me wrong; I like these. I still think the design, created by Polo Ralph Lauren for the ninth time, is well done, but it just feels a little too predictable. I do think the Closing Ceremony looks are on another level, though.
Poland
These are designed by Bizuu, and while they are nice and classic, they’re nothing too special. I would’ve loved something to make them stand out, as they look pretty similar to Team USA.
Australia
The Opening Ceremony uniforms are a step down from the team’s actual uniforms, in my opinion. Designed by Asics, the competition uniforms feature prints by two Indigenous artists, Paul Fleming and David Bosun. While the Opening Ceremony uniforms, designed by Sportscraft, are very Australia (they consist of shorts and blazers), they just look reminiscent of school uniforms to me.
The Opening Ceremony Uniforms That Missed the Mark
France
You’d expect the home country of the Games to have a stellar, special look, but these suits from French fashion house Berluti are a little too simple, and the women’s armless suits are a little strange for me.
Canada
Canada teamed up with Lululemon to design their Opening Ceremony looks, and while they are in no way bad, they just scream “Lululemon” to me and not much for Canada. I would’ve loved to see a more upscale look.
Great Britian
This is down here because of the Closing Ceremony looks, which someone on the internet called “Love Island–esque,” which I can’t unsee now.
