Ship of Fools: The Olympics of tacky

Thread: The Olympics of tacky Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.

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Posted by rugasaw (# 7315) on :

I have noticed a severe lack of taste in some of the uniforms of the athletes. And when I notice something is bad with clothing you have done something seriously wrong. I am going to start off with my own country.

First up our opening ceremony outfits. Most Americans associate berets with France. I am sure the French could have made them look better.

Next, our soccer uniforms. Pata says they remind her of candy stripe nurses uniforms*. I don't know about that but I do know that I wouldn't have chose them. The announcers commented that at least you can see them on the field easily.

*do not google candy stripe nurse. Not safe for work.

Posted by Silver Faux (# 8783) on :

I would just like to say how very tasteful I have found the women's team beach volleyball uniforms to be. I would post an example, in particular, a shot of a player signalling with hand gestures behind her butt, but the images hardly seem worksafe.
So use "Google Image" and check for yourself, should you wish to discuss those uniforms.

Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :

Czech Republic. 'Nough said.

Think they heard some rumors about English weather?

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Silver Faux:
I would just like to say how very tasteful I have found the women's team beach volleyball uniforms to be. I would post an example, in particular, a shot of a player signalling with hand gestures behind her butt, but the images hardly seem worksafe.
So use "Google Image" and check for yourself, should you wish to discuss those uniforms.

I for one enjoy watching softcore porn, er, women's beach volleyball.

Posted by rugasaw (# 7315) on :

Australia's women's beach volleyball team and yes this is work safe and yes this is the uniform they wore today. This year the women's beach volleyballer's don't have to wear bikini's. Truly the worst uniform decision yet. [Frown]

Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Sober Preacher's Kid:

quote:
Originally posted by Silver Faux:
I would just like to say how very tasteful I have found the women's team beach volleyball uniforms to be. I would post an example, in particular, a shot of a player signalling with hand gestures behind her butt, but the images hardly seem worksafe.
So use "Google Image" and check for yourself, should you wish to discuss those uniforms.
I for one enjoy watching softcore porn, er, women's beach volleyball.

I can't believe there was a MAXIMUM size allowed for previous Olympic size women's beach volleyball outfits, seriously how demeaning for women's sport.

I defy anyone to out-tacky the British march on uniform, amazingly awful.

Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :

I especially adored the Brit jackets' gold "pits". [Snigger]

I liked this year's US uniforms except for the aforementioned berets. I think they would have looked better with this year's popular panama hats. At least I've seen young Americans wear them.

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :

It's the modern olympics people, kitschest of all kitsch events - and you want tasteful? Puhleease. [Roll Eyes]

But I would seriously love one of those black gauchero coats that the Chileans were wearing. Or one of their hats. And possibly Zorro as well. Way cool!

(BL wanders off into her own personal fantasies here...) [Big Grin]

Posted by Ceannaideach (# 12007) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Banner Lady:
It's the modern olympics people, kitschest of all kitsch events...

Sounds like somebody needs to watch the Eurovision Song Contest. [Razz]

Posted by Lots of Yay (# 2790) on :

quote:
Originally posted by rugasaw:
Next, our soccer uniforms. Pata says they remind her of candy stripe nurses uniforms*. I don't know about that but I do know that I wouldn't have chose them. The announcers commented that at least you can see them on the field easily.

But it is hard to pick out which one is Wally*

*Waldo for some of you foreigners...

Posted by Anselmina (# 3032) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Lyda*Rose:
Czech Republic. 'Nough said.

Think they heard some rumors about English weather?

They were also all carrying umbrellas the same pattern as the boots. I thought it was hilarious.

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :

Maybe they thought it was the Eurovision song contest?

Posted by cattyish (# 7829) on :

They read our forum and prepared accordingly. I thought the Czech Republic were great!

Cattyish, pink spotty wellies.

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :

OTOH the uniforms and costumes worn by the flag bearers for many of the African nations were wonderful!

Posted by Paddy O'Furniture (# 12953) on :

quote:
Originally posted by rugasaw:
Australia's women's beach volleyball team and yes this is work safe and yes this is the uniform they wore today. This year the women's beach volleyballer's don't have to wear bikini's. Truly the worst uniform decision yet.

Mmmmmmmmm! That woman on the left, with the short hair is HOT!!

Posted by Think² (# 1984) on :

I like the quirky ones, cos so often otherwise they look like they have been dressed by an airline.

UK would have been better without the hoods.

Posted by PataLeBon (# 5452) on :

Honduras football team needs to learn that stripes go one way in an outfit. Either up and down or across, not both!

Now, Mexico is almost so bad that it's good in a ketchy way..

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :

quote:
Originally posted by rugasaw:
Australia's women's beach volleyball team and yes this is work safe and yes this is the uniform they wore today. This year the women's beach volleyballer's don't have to wear bikini's. Truly the worst uniform decision yet.

Temperature for them was cold and they played late at night. Too cold for bikinis for them.

Posted by Cryptic (# 16917) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Too cold for bikinis for them.

Don't know about that Loth, if they'd been training in Sydney lately they'd be used to the bloody freezing weather!

As far as athletes' uniforms go, I can never work out whether athletes get the rejected designs from marching bands or the other way around.

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :

Cryptic, it must be true. I saw an interview in newspaper and also read about it on internet! Two reliable sources.

Wind is cold outside today. Snow at Orange perhaps?

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :

quote:
Originally posted by PataLeBon:

Now, Mexico is almost so bad that it's good in a ketchy way..

I want the ribbony one! No, the floral one! Pink, messy one! All of them!

Posted by Og, King of Bashan (# 9562) on :

quote:
Originally posted by rugasaw:
Next, our soccer uniforms. Pata says they remind her of candy stripe nurses uniforms*. I don't know about that but I do know that I wouldn't have chose them. The announcers commented that at least you can see them on the field easily.

I will always defend hoops on association football shirts. It is more of a rugby look, but if you do not have an iconic shirt and get to play around here and there, I think they look rather quaint and retro.

Or to be more blunt, they are better than the home shirts from '94.

Posted by Balaam (# 4543) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Lyda*Rose:
I especially adored the Brit jackets' gold "pits".

Those are not patches, we Brits sweat 18 carat gold.

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :

quote:
Originally posted by PataLeBon:

Now, Mexico is almost so bad that it's good in a ketchy way..

Chasubles! [Axe murder]

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :

Mardi Gras chasubles? Now there's a thought...

Posted by Think² (# 1984) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Balaam:

quote:
Originally posted by Lyda*Rose:
I especially adored the Brit jackets' gold "pits".
Those are not patches, we Brits sweat 18 carat gold.

I imagine it came about in the sequence, wouldn't white with gold trim be nice - what if they lift up their arms to wave and they have sweat stains ...

Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Think²:

quote:
Originally posted by Balaam:

quote:
Originally posted by Lyda*Rose:
I especially adored the Brit jackets' gold "pits".
Those are not patches, we Brits sweat 18 carat gold.
I imagine it came about in the sequence, wouldn't white with gold trim be nice - what if they lift up their arms to wave and they have sweat stains ...

And gold doesn't rust. I see now. Obviously very sensible.

Posted by monkeylizard (# 952) on :

I didn't mind the Team USA berets. Some fine Americans wear them daily.

Spain on the other hand, has my vote for the worst. I think they got confused by the corporate sponsorships and thought it was a Ronald McDonald convention.

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :

quote:
Originally posted by monkeylizard:

Spain on the other hand, has my vote for the worst. I think they got confused by the corporate sponsorships and thought it was a Ronald McDonald convention.

Plus they look like the Chinese, who are also favouring a mustard and ketchup colour way, with dragonoidal features. Though they share the all-over chintz thing with the Russians, who are upholstered in a maroon and white take on the kind of wallpaper you find in two-star hotels.

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :

quote:
Originally posted by monkeylizard:
I didn't mind the Team USA berets. Some fine Americans wear them daily.

Not with blazers and slacks/skirts. Marines have more style than that (they are Marines aren't they?).

[Edit: tricky stuff, code [Razz]

]

[ 01. August 2012, 20:36: Message edited by: Zappa ]

Posted by rugasaw (# 7315) on :

Unless I am mistaken they are army airborne rangers. And I am not about to argue that they make the berets look good. I also refuse to argue about airborne nor special forces.

Posted by monkeylizard (# 952) on :

They are US Army Special Forces (aka "green berets"). Some are also Airborne Rangers (as can be seen by certain shoulder patches) but Rangers and Green Berets are not the same.

Nevertheless, I agree that the blazers and slacks dressed us up a bit too much. I'm just glad we weren't in tacky track suits.

Posted by Pancho (# 13533) on :

quote:
Originally posted by monkeylizard:
Nevertheless, I agree that the blazers and slacks dressed us up a bit too much.

Those outfits were designed by Ralph Lauren, and it fits his whole 20s-30s, Jazz Age, preppy, Ivy League, "The Great Gatsby", classic Americana aesthetic. I like it, including the berets though I agree with Lyda*Rose that Panama hats would've been cool.

[ 01. August 2012, 03:39: Message edited by: Pancho ]

Posted by Snags (# 15351) on :

Heh, they had Stella Mcartney talking to Gary Linekar last night, generally failing to fake sincerity. However she did go up slightly in my estimation with her totally deadpan "I didn't do the opening ceremony. That wasn't me."

No direct comment, no mention of who did, even a mild compliment that Chris Hoy looked OK in his jacket, but a crystal clear sub-text of "Those jackets were hideous, weren't they?"

Posted by comet (# 10353) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Pancho:

quote:
Originally posted by monkeylizard:
Nevertheless, I agree that the blazers and slacks dressed us up a bit too much.
Those outfits were designed by Ralph Lauren, and it fits his whole 20s-30s, Jazz Age, preppy, Ivy League, "The Great Gatsby", classic Americana aesthetic. I like it, including the berets though I agree with Lyda*Rose that Panama hats would've been cool.

I think they look like flight attendants.

Posted by Pancho (# 13533) on :

quote:
Originally posted by comet:
like flight attendants.

Like Jazz-Age flight attendants. At least the women look a little like they stepped out of Bonnie and Clyde.

Posted by Balaam (# 4543) on :

The thrones the time trial medallists sat on between the end of the competition and the medal ceremony were the height of kitch.

This picture doesn't do justice to the tackiness that Armstrong and Wiggins were subjected to.

I thought Hampton Court Palace could do better.

Posted by Balaam (# 4543) on :

Better picture.

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Balaam:
Better picture.

No picture at all, that I can see (maybe this is just an iPad thing?). But from the glimpse I got on the live coverage, tackier than white stilettos over American Tan tights.

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Balaam:
The thrones the time trial medallists sat on between the end of the competition and the medal ceremony were the height of kitch.

This picture doesn't do justice to the tackiness that Armstrong and Wiggins were subjected to.

I thought Hampton Court Palace could do better.

Agreed. I thought it was a winter sports thing, where the 'leader in the clubhouse' as it were, has to stand there, knowing full well that the better sliders will be along any minute and their moment of fame will have lasted far less than 15 minutes. I hope they don't do it again.

Posted by Balaam (# 4543) on :

Not tacky as such, but this quote from a BBC interview needs to be shared somewhere.

Jennifer Ennis: "My long jump has been up and down all year."

Well, yes. That's what they are supposed to be.

Posted by Balaam (# 4543) on :

My apologies to JESSICA Ennis. [Hot and Hormonal]

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :

Another from the long jump, men's qualifying rounds.

Commentator: It's the extra centimetre in length that makes all the difference in the end.

Cough , cough from someone else also heard.

Posted by Flausa (# 3466) on :

It's the horrid grey and black track suits with neon green shoes of the Americans that provided one of the best comments I've heard from the games so far. "That neon green really brings out ... the grey."

And I loved the Czech Republic's wellies and brollies which also had me thinking of Eurovision.

Posted by rugasaw (# 7315) on :

That reminds me I have been wanting to ask, why did the Americans decide to use track suits for all the athletes that has not one stitch(outside of patches) of red, white, or blue? Do any of the other countries do this?

Posted by monkeylizard (# 952) on :

Team USA used Panama hats in the 2000 games. We wouldn't want to repeat ourselves so quickly.

As for the worst ones the USA has had, I have to go with the one we had for the 1980 Lake Placid winter games and the 1984 Sarajevo winter games in 1984 (same uniform both times). The placard says it all. The Marlboro man called. He wants to know where his medal is.

[ 06. August 2012, 13:57: Message edited by: monkeylizard ]

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Firenze:
... a mustard and ketchup colour way ...

Is that because one of the main sponsors is McDonald's? [Big Grin]

quote:
Though they share the all-over chintz thing with the Russians, who are upholstered in a maroon and white take on the kind of wallpaper you find in two-star hotels.

I thought that looked all right on the lady athletes, but I felt sorry for the gentlemen having to wear it.

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :

I reckon everyone suffers by comparison to the French. Their all-white tracksuits are definitely the best on show.

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