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Ralph Lauren's Team USA Olympics outfits trolled for looking like they're at 'the yacht club'

Ralph Lauren called the outfit a 'classic all-American' look, but Twitter users were quick to diss them and said they 'need to spend time behind bars'

After much delay, debate and fears of cancelation, the Tokyo Olympics finally kicked off with the Opening Ceremony on July 23. With much pomp and splendor, Japan showed off its finest cultural and technological marvels. Also on display were the styles of all the participating nations. The ceremony is always viewed as a great opportunity for nations to show off their fanciest designers, and clothes. Unfortunately, it appears as if Team USA choice of uniform wasn't as great as some people hoped.

Originally slated for 2020, the Tokyo games have faced a challenge like no other. Even as late as July 20, there were chances the games could be called off due to the triple threat of Covid-19, E-coli bacteria and forecasted rains. However, organizers have gone all the way to ensure the event goes ahead, even going as far as to give athletes cardboard beds to dissuade sex and intimacy in favor of distancing. The government has also imposed a state of emergency throughout the duration of the games, to prevent the spread of Covid-19. 

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It looks like all these efforts might pay off, even though several athletes and organizers have since tested positive for the coronavirus. Amid the cloud of Covid, the games present a great opportunity for nations to put their best foot forward. It appears though as if that was not what Team USA did. Their outfit for the Opening Ceremony was far from exciting, and in fact, widely panned on social media.

Who designed the Team USA outfit?

If you are one of the many people who hated what American athletes wore, then you should know Ralph Lauren is responsible. The New York-based fashion firm created this years' outfit, dubbed 'RL Cooling'. It's not all about fashion though, the firm managed to add in a bit of technology and eco-friendly ideas as well. In a July 14 press release, the company said, "the technology is a self-regulating temperature cooling device that will be worn by Team USA’s flag bearer during the Olympic and Paralympic Opening Ceremony Parades." It added, "Recognizing Tokyo’s summer heat, we sought to develop a solution for Team USA that fuses fashion and function—allowing them to look and feel their best on one of the world’s biggest stages."

The uniforms are also building on the company's commitment to being environmentally friendly. Ralph Lauren said the clothes were treated with ECOFAST Pure, a solution that allows cotton to be dyed with fewer chemicals, energy and water. They also claim the wool used for the blazer was made from wool sourced entirely from the US. But those details mean little to viewers of the games, who are more concerned with style. 

On that front, the outfits were dubbed "a classic all-American look" that "celebrates America’s pioneering spirit and tradition, while embracing modernity and innovation." Unfortunately for Ralph Lauren, Twitter users seemed to disagree. The uniforms were ripped apart online as users felt it wasn't a great look for the team. 

'Ralph Lauren must be stopped'

One person commented, "Why do the Team USA outfits look like they'd report you to HR for cursing." Another said, "Team USA’s opening ceremony outfits just scream “I have a trust fund and spend my summer in the Hamptons.” Ralph Lauren must be stopped." One person commented, "The Team USA Ralph Lauren outfits look like they’re meeting at the Yacht Club for brandy after a hard day of watching their trust fund grow."

One person joked, "Team USA looking like they about to cause another housing crisis with those outfits." Another trolled, "Ah the #Olympics and Ralph Lauren’s Team USA outfits patriotically scream “I’d like to speak to your manager!” One user tweeted, "Whoever designed team usa’s outfits for the opening ceremony needs to spend time behind bars."

Of course, not everyone was angry or disappointed, a handful of users did praise the uniforms. However, a majority seemed to find it awful. What do you think? Are the outfits a good look for Team USA or not?