Among the many unforgettable moments of the Olympic Games, the Opening Ceremony continues to capture the world’s attention. It marks the beginning of the competition with a mesmerizing mix of pageantry, performance, and national pride. At the heart of it all is the Parade of Nations, where athletes from each country march into the stadium behind their flagbearer, proudly representing their country on the world stage.
While the parade celebrates the athletes themselves, it’s also a striking visual display of global unity and the Olympic values: friendship, excellence, and respect. One detail Olympic fans always watch for? The uniforms. Coordinated yet full of personality, these uniforms have become an essential part of the Opening Ceremony and offer a glimpse into a country’s culture, style, and values.
As we await the reveal of the Team USA 2026 uniforms, let’s explore some memorable styles from past Winter Games, highlighting two local favorites: the 1932 and 1980 Winter Games held right here in Lake Placid.
1932 Lake Placid
On February 4, 1932, bobsled pilot Billy Fiske proudly led Team USA into the Opening Ceremony at the speed skating oval as the flagbearer. For these Games, Team USA’s athletes were outfitted by A.G. Spalding, a renowned sports equipment company founded in 1876 by Albert Goodwill Spalding. The athletes wore cream-colored wool jackets accented with classic American details, including a blue belt and bright red buttons. Completing the look was a matching cream baseball cap featuring a distinctive American shield emblem on the front.
1980 Lake Placid
Lake Placid once again welcomed the world on February 13, 1980, this time hosting the Opening Ceremony at the North Elba Horse Show Grounds. For this edition of the Winter Games, Team USA was outfitted by Levi’s. Founded in 1853, Levi Strauss built one of the world’s most recognizable apparel brands with the invention of blue jeans.
For the 1980 Winter Games, Levi’s embraced an “All-American” aesthetic, designing a Western inspired look. The uniform featured shearling jackets, plaid button-up shirts, orange Tab boots, white cowboy hats, and of course, Levi’s blue jeans. The jackets were accented with the brand’s signature Red Tab on the chest pocket, a detail first introduced in 1936.
Figure skater Scott Hamilton had the honor of carrying the American flag for Team USA during the Opening Ceremony. Reflecting on his experience decades later, Hamilton fondly recalled the challenges of finding a uniform that fit his 5’3” frame:
“I tell that story as often as I possibly can about the parade uniform fitting…it’s kind of my world trying to fit into dad’s clothes. We were able to staple and tape everything together in order to kind of make me presentable, but the problem was my mittens were way too big so to kind of hold the flag I had to really grip it tight and then the hat kept coming down over my eyes. It was just sort of almost a God wink…I was presented uniquely in that Games as the flagbearer and then for the next four years, I never lost a competition.”
Levi’s did not stop at the Opening Ceremony uniform – they also designed the royal blue velour suits worn by the U.S. hockey team during their gold medal ceremony on February 24, 1980.
Start of the Ralph Lauren Polo Era
Ralph Lauren is a staple in both American and global fashion, known for blending classic style with a sense of heritage. The brand began its rise in 1967 with a line of neckties under the now-famous Polo name. Ralph Lauren made its Olympic debut outfitting Team USA for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, designing the uniforms for both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, along with casual apparel for athletes to wear in the Olympic Village.
Since then, Ralph Lauren has continued to serve as the official outfitter for Team USA at both the Olympic and Paralympic Games, infusing each collection with a distinctly American style. Reflecting on this enduring legacy, figure skater Jason Brown spoke about his personal connection to the brand in the months leading up to the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing:
“Ralph Lauren is synonymous with the Olympics. I remember so clearly the 2008 Olympics and the first time that Team USA walked out in Ralph Lauren. To have this full-circle moment where I get to be part of that is remarkable.”
While the 2026 Team USA uniforms have yet to be revealed, fans around the world eagerly await what Ralph Lauren will design next to carry on the tradition of style, symbolism, and national pride on the Olympic stage.
A Tradition Woven with Pride
From the tailored tradition of the 1932 Lake Placid Games to the bold Western flair of 1980, and the famous Ralph Lauren era that continues today, Team USA’s Opening Ceremony uniforms are more than just outfits—they’re powerful symbols of unity, identity, and pride. As we look ahead to future Games, these uniforms continue to reflect the values at the heart of the Olympic movement.
“In a world that is full of ups and downs and challenges, we need the Olympics. The Olympics is about peace, it’s about sportsmanship, it’s about leadership, it’s about people coming together and competing. Whether you’re wearing the uniforms at the winner’s podium or watching it on your couch at home, it is an incredibly unifying and inspiring moment that we’re proud to celebrate with them,” said David Lauren, Chief Branding Officer of Ralph Lauren and son of the company’s founder.
And that spirit, woven into every stitch, continues to make Team USA’s Olympic fashion a celebration worth watching.
Curator’s Corner written by Julia Herman