Written by Naomi Pang
Edited by Ella Caverson
After four years of anticipation, the Winter Olympics return once again. While the Games celebrate athletic achievements, it can’t be denied that Olympic fashion also incites global attention. The opening ceremony not only broadcasts the athletes but it also acts as a global runway where countries unveil their national uniforms to millions of viewers. The ceremony provides an opportunity to represent each nation’s style with the unique attire within which they present their athletes. With the 2026 Winter Olympics being set in one of the fashion capitals of the world, Milan, fashion at the Games becomes even more anticipated. Over the years, some uniforms have sparked admiration, while others have been relentlessly critiqued, but every uniform has contributed to the evolving story of activewear and Olympic style.
This year’s opening ceremony was also a tribute to the late Giorgio Armani, who passed away in September 2025. As the flag bearer, Italian supermodel Vittoria Ceretti led an ensemble of sixty models dressed in red, white, and green Armani suits, forming the appearance of a giant Italian flag from their coloured garments. Ceretti wore a custom high-neck white, floor-length Privé gown while the other models were dressed in classic Armani-style suits. The blazer was clean-cut, paired with a slim shirt design. Laura Pausini, who had the honour of performing the Italian national anthem wore a pearl and crystal embellished long-sleeve black gown from the Giorgio Armani Privé Fall 2024 collection. Pausini’s dress contrasted perfectly with the suited models in colour. The suits, Ceretti’s dress, and Pausini’s gown were all simple and elegant,notoriously Armani, leaving a beautiful tribute to Giorgio..
After the Italian national anthem was sung, the parade of athletes began.
Right off the bat, I was instantly drawn to Brazil’s opening uniforms. The flag bearer, skeleton racer Nicole Silveira and alpine ski racer Lucas Pinheiro Braathen wore a white Moncler nylon cape-style puffer that looked simple and understated on the surface, but when unzipped it proudly revealed the Brazilian flag on the inside. The rest of the team wore navy Moncler puffer sets with green accents, paired with an explorer-style hat. The uniforms are a collaboration between Moncler and Brazilian creative Oskar Metsavacht. As a well-known designer and former snowboarder in Brazil, Metsavacht has been a very influential figure in the Brazilian sports and fashion industry for decades. For many Brazilians, it was important to have Metsavacht behind the designs of the national uniforms as Metsavacht truly understood what life is like in the mountains and the demands of sport performance, learnt from his own experience as a snowboarder. This connection made the uniforms feel more authentic and further embraced Brazilian national pride.
Team Canada’s uniforms were also quite the statement. Being the official partner for Team Canada for the third time, Lululemon once again dressed the athletes. The outerwear unmistakably channelled Canadian pride. The uniforms were in different shades of red, deep purple, and dark turquoise, decorated with the maple leaf. Canadians, however, have a love-hate relationship with the uniform. While some praised the collection for its innovative modern design, others weren’t so impressed. The Convertible Quilted Wrap Vest, in particular, sparked significant online debate. Social media users have attacked the vest, comparing it to “sleeping bags,” “oven mitts,” or “potholders.” At first glance, the vest does appear bulky, more akin to a blanket than a piece of outerwear. Yet beyond its exaggerated proportions lies its practicality. Its versatility and adaptive design is about its functionality in keeping the athletes warm. After all, being outdoors all day, staying warm may matter more than the style. Whether praised or bashed by others, the collection undeniably got people talking, proving that Olympics are more than just about sport—fashion, too, has a defining role on the global stage.
While Canada experimented with their uniforms, Team USA had a more classic approach on winter style for the 2026 Games. Once again, Ralph Lauren designed Team USA’s uniforms. Combining American heritage and preppy style, the uniforms embody the brand’s signature take on modern Americana. The opening ceremony uniform features a white wool coat with heritage-inspired wooden toggles, paired with wool trousers and a classic American flag knit sweater. The outfit is decorated with a red, white, and blue knit hat and matching mittens, completing the patriotic look. Team USA’s uniforms undeniably succeeded in delivering a polished aesthetic that celebrated tradition while remaining effortlessly sophisticated.
Shifting the spotlight to the host-country, Team Italy’s 2026 Winter Olympics uniforms honoured the late Giorgio Armani. Designed by Emporio Armani EA7, Italy’s uniform was one of the final collections personally designed by Armani himself. Athletes wore a Charcoal Grey Bomber Jacket edged with Italian colours accented on the edges, paired with matching Charcoal Grey Sweatpants. The look was completed with a white knitted hat that proudly labelled “Italia.” The uniforms embody a sleek minimalism that celebrates modern Italian style. The subtle use of Italy’s signature colours against a neutral palette, further emits the Italian pride carried by the athletes. When Armani unveiled the uniforms back in May 2025, Armani said at the time: “I couldn’t imagine a more stimulating collaboration, uniting the city that has given me so much and sport. Working for and alongside Italian athletes is always a pleasure and a great source of pride.” In this way, the collection symbolises both the athletes pride in representing their country and serving as a tribute to Armani’s enduring legacy, capturing the elegance and sophistication that defined his career.
From Canada’s highly controversial uniforms to Brazil’s eye-catching flag puffer design, the 2026 Winter Olympics proved that fashion is as much a part of the Games as the competition itself. Each uniform told a story of heritage, tradition, innovation, that encapsulated the national pride and identity of each country. This highlights how countries not only express themselves through sport, but through style at the Olympics. The uniforms of the Winter Olympics remind us that the Olympic stage can also serve as a global runway, uniting people through style. Here, fashion and sport intersect at its finest.