14 Best Olympics Fashion Moments in History
The official countdown to the 2024 Paris Olympics is on and with only a few short months left until the opening ceremony, we’re diving into our favorite Olympics fashion moments from the games past and present.
While fashion might not be the first thing you think of when recounting your favorite moments from previous Olympic games, it sits as such a pivotal part of the Olympics. Fashion is a means of expression and as athletes representing their country, so many manage to find unique and stylish ways to express themselves and show off their home country.
The Paris Olympics are set to be a monumental event. These being the first games after the rescheduled 2020 Olympics means so many more people will be representing their country in style. Athletes have always led many fashion trends. From Serena Williams to Florence Joyner (a.k.a. Flo-Jo), we've seen time and time again that sports dominate the fashion department. Rocking a look no one else is while competing almost adds an extra layer of strength.
So whether they took home the gold or simply competed to the best of their abilities, we've rounded up our favorite Olympics fashion moments from over the years that'll surely go down as sartorial gold medals for the rest of time.
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Cathy Freeman, Sydney Olympic Games
Cathy Freeman is an Australian former sprinter who specialized in the 400-meter event. Her personal best of 48.63 seconds currently ranks her as the eighth-fastest woman of all time. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, she wore a full-body Nike suit that was the talk of the town. Its green, gold, and gray coloring with a full hood marked a special style trend also paying tribute to iconic runner Flo-Jo.
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Serena Williams, Beijing Olympic Games
The G.O.A.T. of tennis is known for her fashion moments. One of our favorites that feels oh-so patriotic was this red, white, and blue look from Nike. Williams went on to win the gold medal in the doubles category alongside her sister, Venus. Can someone say “Go U.S.A”?
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Michael Johnson, Atlanta Olympic Games
Track star Michael Johnson showed up ready to stand out. The American runner wore custom gold Nike shoes that had the world tuned into his speedy race. He also paired the look with a matching gold chain. Some might say he was manifesting his future, as the athlete went on to win two gold medals and break the previous Olympic records in the 200m and 400m race.
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Momiji Nishiya, Tokyo Olympic Games
The 2020 Olympics marked the first of its kind. Skateboarding became an official sport, which meant we were going to get a ton of fun athletic wear that meshed well with streetwear. Nike created these eye-catching graphic-style uniforms for several teams, including Japan. Nishiya, 13, took home the first-ever gold in the women's street skateboarding competition rocking the colorful uniform.
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Michael Jordan, Barcelona Olympic Games
The men's basketball team for the 1992 Olympics is often referred to as the “dream team.” Led by Michael Jordan, this team not only won big for the United States but also a forever place on the moodboard for sports fashion ideas. The '90s are often referenced in our everyday style today because of how much Gen Z loves a nostalgia reference. These uniforms, paired with the Air Jordan VII in a USA-themed colorway, will go down in history.
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Katarina Witt, Calgary Olympic Games
Figure skater Katarina Witt knows how to entertain a crowd. This blue feathery number is one of many iconic fashion moments the skater had in the 1988 Winter Olympics that we can't stop thinking about. The feather details and bedazzled bodysuit were a match made in heaven.
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Team Brazil, Athens Olympic Games
The Brazilian delegation brought the color for the 2004 Olympic games. These form-fitting lime green blazers paired with the multicolored skirts are such a fun combination that has us all wanting to remake it ourselves.
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Florence Joyner, Seoul Olympic Games
You cannot talk about fashion in sports and not mention Flo-Jo. She notably led the way in bringing personal style into your sport with all her fashion and beauty moments. This specific leotard with the hood and belt to match goes down as an all-time favorite of ours.
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Johnny Weir, Turin Olympic Games
Figure skater Johnny Weir wore an ultra-memorable swan outfit for his competition at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games that was the epitome of beauty. Notoriously, figure skaters' uniforms are custom-created with so much sparkle that you can't help but obsess over the look just as much as you love watching them compete. This swan look with its bedazzled arm details will always be a top moment from the Olympics.
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Team Brazil, London Olympic Games
Brazil's synchronized swimmers stole the show at the 2012 Olympic Games wearing these suits depicting the human body. The attention to detail, mixed with the colorful design, made it a major fashion moment.
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Niconner Alexander, Sydney Olympic Games
Niconner Alexander of Trinidad and Tobago can go down in history as a trendsetter. These alien-style bug-eye glasses that he wore during the 2000s Olympic Games are a popular style worn over 20 years later.
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Team Canada, Athens Olympic Games
Canada's synchronized swimmers wore these dazzling "Queen of Hearts" suits for their meet that stole the show during the 2004 Olympics.
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Debi Thomas, Calgary Olympic Games
Debi Thomas is an American figure skater. She is the 1988 Olympic bronze medalist, and a two-time U.S. national champion. Thomas had a rivalry with East Germany's Katarina Witt at the 1988 Calgary Olympics that was known as the Battle of the Carmens. Outside of the competition, Thomas managed to steal the sartorial show as well wearing this black bedazzled body suit.
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Jordan Chiles, Tokyo Olympic Games
Jordan Chiles and Team USA wore these red, white, and blue mid-length sleeved leotards at the 2020 games, which were not only patriotic but also stylish.
