Polo Ralph Lauren Unveils 2016 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Closing Ceremony Uniforms

U-S-A!
By Maura Brannigan , |

Swimmer Haley Anderson in Team USA's Polo Ralph Lauren Closing Ceremony uniforms. Photo: Courtesy of Ralph Lauren

The 100-day countdown to the 2016 Olympic and Paralymic Games in Rio de Janeiro has begun, and Team USA is ready — on the sartorial front, at least. During a segment on Today on Wednesday morning, the U.S. Olympic Committee debuted Polo Ralph Lauren's designs for the Closing Ceremony parade uniforms. The uniforms were showcased by three Olympians: marathon swimmer and silver medalist Haley Anderson, pictured above, wrestler Jordan Burroughs and swimmer-slash-reality television star Ryan Lochte.

If the design team at Polo was aiming for that emblematic all-American sweetspot, they've certainly hit it. With striped cotton tees, tricolor boat shoes, ribbon belts and crisp chino shorts, the outfits are topped off with a Pony-emblazoned button-down shirt that will be offered in a choice of red, white or blue. And unlike Ralph Lauren's 2012 Opening Ceremony uniforms (which were made in China), these are made in the U.S.

The pieces are as classic as they are sporty, if not a wee bit kitschy — but isn't that kind of the point? We want to be able to identify the wearer's home nation from just a brief glance at the uniforms, and these duds do the trick. And, hey: If any Olympians decide to take a trip to Martha's Vineyard or Montauk once they're done competing, they'll already have the perfect wardrobe.

And so can you. Polo Ralph Lauren's official Team USA Closing Ceremony uniforms are now available for purchase for men, women and children over at RalphLauren.com. 

Note: This story has been updated to include mention that the uniforms are made in the U.S.

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