The countdown to the 2024 Olympic Games held in Paris has begun, with less than a week until the start of the biggest stage of athletic excellence and sportsmanship but also fashion! As a warm-up, why not go through the looks some nations will don at the upcoming Paris Olympics and Paralympics?

It's officially the Olympic season! A time when everyone is a sports enthusiast and Google crashes because what are the rules of Pentathlon again? Jokes aside, it's an international event that unites 206 nations and showcases unity, culture, honor, and sportsmanship. This global stage is also used to boast pride in one's nation through performances but also through fashion. Countries and athletes take this as an opportunity to display an integration of innovation, contemporary trends, and traditional attires, and 2024 is no different. Take a look at some medal-worthy looks that will rock the capital of fashion, Paris!

Team Mongolia, By Michel & Amazonka, WWD

France is Standing on Business

Sports and tuxedos rarely make an appearance together, but Berluti made it possible for this Olympics with Team France's opening and closing ceremony looks. Berluti, established in 1985, is a luxury brand famous for its elegant shoes and stylish menswear. The men look dapper in sleek, tailored, classic suits that are fashioned with red-blue ombre lapels and that, coupled with their white shirts, represent the French flag. As France is suffering the worst heat this summer, the designer seems to be merciful and skipped adding sleeves to the women's looks. The sleeveless blazer of the same cut as the men's is paired with blue suit pants and skirts. The design aimed to create an ensemble that flaunted French pride by being minimalistic and elegant with a modern twist. The release of the outfits attracted comments, finding similarities in the uniform to flight attendant attire and judges' outfits from decades ago. The French team, in its royal elegance, need not be deterred, for the actual competition is yet to begin.

Getting Preppy with the US of A

Team USA's looks for the opening and closing ceremony scream American pride, thanks to the iconic Ralph Lauren. The outfits blend classic and modern American styles, and what's more synonymous with American fashion than denim? With each item manufactured in the United States, the Olympic ceremony attire features a traditional blazer with red, white, and blue accents covering a blue and white striped shirt completed with light-washed denim jeans paired with stylish loafers. Add all these items, and we get a cross between equestrians and posh prep students, which apparently looks like retro and sporty American pride poster models. America usually wins big in the Olympics, so not winning the best outfit shouldn't hurt, right?

The athletes representing the Philippines will be wearing this design. By Francis Libiran, Tatler Asia

Minimalistic Yet Powerful Philippines

Francis Libiran created a standout accent for Team Philippines for this Olympics's ceremonies. Each Sinag barong, a light formal shirt, will be paired with a detachable silk organza sling embellished with embroidered sun rays and Pintados-inspired warrior designs, signifying valor and national pride. Details of the look include the sling mirroring the flag of the Philippines and sunbeams embroidered on the collar. The intricate, uncluttered designs bring the attire together. "Every element of the design showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines," Libiran shares on Instagram.

Canadian swimmer Summer McIntosh in the opening ceremony jacket for Team Canada, By Lululemon, Forbes

Functional, Accessible, and Stylish Canada

Canada's team kit, sponsored by the activewear mammoth Lululemon, has taken the internet by storm. While staying true to their red and white color palette, Lululemon managed to create a trendy outfit. The brocatelle bomber jackets are paired with shorts and trousers ornamented with prints of local symbols ranging from nature and architecture, especially remembering the beavers and moose of Canada. The trendsetting nature of the kits must be addressed. The kit is not only fashionably reusable but also supports different bodies with various abilities. Magnetic-close zippers, pull-on loops, sensory touch guides, and two adaptive styles—the Seated-Fit Carpenter Pant and the Seated-Fit Packable Rain Poncho delivering functionality and ease in a seated position are all tweaks in the design make it inclusive, proving that sportswear can be adaptive and innovative while being stylish!

Team Haiti uniforms for the 2024 Paris Olympics, By Stella Jean, WWD

Head Turning Haiti

Despite Haiti facing challenging times, their team of talented athletes will be proudly representing their country in the Paris Olympics. Styled by Stella Jean, Haiti has hands-down brought their A-game to the event. The eye-catching prints on the skirts and trousers are the work of Haitian artist Philippe Dodard, titled "Passage." The colorful skirts and pants are paired with a soft blue chambray shirt and a sleeveless blazer made from recycled fabric for the women. At the same time, the men stun in a streaked shirt, scarf of the same print, and a field jacket inspired by the Guayabera shirt, preferred by Haitian men. The shirts are locally woven, paying homage to the spinning tradition of the country. Haitians worldwide sang laurels of the runway-worthy looks for its fashion statement and for capturing the country's spirit, and one cannot help but agree!

DENHAM’s Look for the Netherlands Olympic Team, By DENHAM, HypeBeast

The Cool Kids on The Block- Team Netherlands

The Dutch are bringing back retro at the Summer Olympics in Paris. DENHAM is Netherland's fashion partner for the Olympics, and they are popular among the Dutch community. Experts of denim work, the outfits remind us of retro hunky jock styles to the ceremonies with varsity and denim jackets adorned with patches of the flag and the number 24. The orange accents blend well with the navy blue trousers and create a cohesive ensemble. Another plus of the outfit is it's cool, LITERALLY. Aerogel yarn and cooling thermal-regulating modifications of the outfits keep the athletes refreshed and stylish. Another favorite look for the Olympics comes straight out of the Netherlands. The ever-expanding Olympic sports roster brings breakdancing to the global stage, and Team Netherlands is set to be the stars of the show. The futuristic orange uniforms are quirky, and baggy tracksuits are effortlessly cool, sponsored by The New Originals.

Chinese Taipei uniforms for the Olympic Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony, By Justin Chou, Threads

Sustainably Sharp Chinese Taipei

Chinese Taipei is turning heads with its ceremony looks designed by the Taiwanese designer Justin Chou of Just In XX, who is returning to the post after a successful run in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. The inspiration is the country's Taiwanese culture, translated into textured looks with local symbolism. The blue and white suits integrate sustainable fabrics by utilizing carbon capture technology to make the suit jackets and banana silk woven leather shoes. The accompanying shirts interweave cool and germanium fiber tech, which gives a refreshing feel "similar to a forest bath." The looks are a collaboration of various artists, including Paul Chiang, Indigenous artisan Aing Banday, and flower craftsman Peggy Lin. Teamwork is the dream works and apparently also creates dreamworks!

Designed by Alpine Pro, the Czech Republic uniform,s By ALPINE PRO, CZECH OLYMPIC COMMITTEE

All Eyes On The Czech Republic!

"Even in the crowd, no one will miss us. We want to achieve this in the heart of Paris, the capital of fashion," said Jiří Kejval, President of the Czech Olympic Committee, and they certainly will do so. The delegation's uniform, designed by Czech sportswear label Alpine Pro and Jan Černý, can be surprising initially. The tie-dyed-looking trench coat received some doubt from netizens, but the fit is praiseworthy and innovative. The coat is paired with standard activewear, T-shirts, and trousers, with triangular patterns representing the red, white, and blue Czech flag. The uniqueness of the design is commendable, as it will be flattering to all kinds of body types. Surely, no one will forget these anytime soon or call them uninteresting. Some confused netizens questioned the thought process of this attire, but President Kejval said that he understands the conservative outlook of older generations and believes that the younger crowd will appreciate the looks for what they are. He says that if the athletes are comfortable in their clothes, they will have the confidence required for their performance, and I have to agree!

The Gold Medal for Best Look Goes to Mongolia

The internet's one pick for the best-dressed team is Mongolia, styled by Mongolian couture brand Michel & Amazonka. A modern take on the deel, a Mongolian robe carries intricate red, navy, and gold embroidery on the tunics, collars, and cuffs of Olympic symbols and traditional Mongolian patterns. As the precision of the look suggests, the Mongolian National Olympic Committee said that each set took an average of 20 hours to produce. The looks are also accessorized with embellished bags, sash waistbands, dangling earrings, pointed Buryat hats, and gutal, which are Mongol leather boots. The translucent white fabric used for the pleated skirts and capes tie the outfit together majestically. Congratulations, Team Mongolia, for winning the best fashion serve!

The 2024 Paris Olympic Opening Ceremony is all set to be a true fashion extravaganza, with each nation's attire reflecting its unique culture and contemporary trends. From traditional garments with modern twists to sleek, minimalist designs, the parade of nations will be a testament to the diversity and creativity of Olympic fashion. Can't wait to tune in to watch the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics and Paralympics on the 26th of July. A fashion spectacle in the capital of fashion will be nothing less than mindblowing!

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