Fashion Reverie’s Tokyo Olympic Fashion Roundup

Many 2020 Tokyo Olympic athletes have packed their dazzling medals of bronze, silver, and gold in suitcases and are back at home after achieving their athletic dreams. With the meeting of athletes globally in the bright lights of Tokyo, cultures mesh forming a vibrant technicolor of styles and symbols.

 The Olympics, other than being the highest level of athletic competition, are also the pinnacle of where function and fashion meet.  Functionality in fashion, especially when it relates to athletics, is not often perceived as traditionally fashionable; however, this year’s opening ceremony immediately proved otherwise. Notably, Misia’s “Kakigori” ceremony dress by Tomo Koizumi was one of the biggest fashion moments of the night, closely rivaled by Telfar’s designing of Team Liberia’s ceremony outfits.

This year, athletes and designers carefully curated uniforms that carried stories of inspiration and symbolism for the eyes of viewers globally. Fashion Reverie has selected the top Olympic outfits that prove functional fashion can have a backstory that is much more than simple utilitarianism.

Kiran Badloe, Netherlands Windsurfing 

This Olympics, fashion proved the sprawling nature of media pop culture influencing young athletes on a global scale. Kiran Badloe from the Netherlands’ windsurfing team won gold in a viral fashion moment inspired by “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” Badloe writes on his Instagram, “This haircut is a tribute to the one and only true wind master. The avatar, the last air bender known to be alive. I hope the spirit of this great warrior gives me the power to sail well this week and use the wind in my favor. One day I dream of becoming a master of the wind myself, a true air bender.” He paired his stand-out hairdo with a Fila color-blocked navy and orange tee, Netherland’s country colors, and a color the Last Airbender also wears in the popular show.

Nuria Diosdado and Joana Jiménez García, Mexico Synchronized Swimming

Another team that embraced the beloved resurging anime is Nuria Diosdado and Joana Jiménez representing Mexico in synchronized swimming. The two wore one piece swimsuits intricately bejeweled with Tui and La, the moon and ocean spirits that represent Yin and Yang in the show. Designed by Mexican Brand Gilling Activewear, it was a symbol of the harmony and “push and pull” of their performance.

Svetlana Kolesnichenko and Svetlana Romashina, Russia Synchronized Swimming

While team Mexico did not medal, the Russian duet won gold. Also wearing swimsuits that aided their performance, the pair dressed in spider-embellished, cream-colored one pieces as they contorted their arms and legs to look like an eight-legged creature. Without their outfits, the team may not have been able to evoke the creepy atmosphere that they created. If the Olympics were a fashion contest, they would each have two gold medals around their necks.

Tom Daley, Great Britain Diving

Daley, an extremely well-known diver, won gold alongside Matty Lee in men’s synchronized 10m diving. In another viral Olympic moment, Tom Daley was found in the poolside stands knitting a fashion masterpiece. He owns an Instagram page dedicated to his knit and crochet pieces, and recently posted his final product. He writes, “When I got to Tokyo, I wanted to make something that would remind me of the Olympics to look back on in the future. I designed a pattern for the [color] work that would signify everything about these games! On the back I went for a classic @teamgb logo, the shoulders have a flag and GBR on them. For the front I wanted to keep it simple and I tried my best to embroider TOKYO in Japanese!” He also made himself an adorable Tokyo and Great Britain themed medal case! 

Naomi Osaka, Japan Tennis

Another Olympian paying tribute to her country through fashion is Naomi Osaka. Osaka, representing this year’s Olympic home country, wears a monochromatic red Nike tennis outfit paired with red and white hair scrunchies and dyed red braids. Her dyed braids were also one of the most prominent moments of the Opening Ceremony as she was the torchbearer. With all of her statements advocating for mental health lately, there is no better torch bearer.

Athing Mu, USA Track

Athing Mu, American runner, won gold in the 800m dash (no American had won gold in the 800m for over 53 years!) while wearing a Nike blue and white striped bodysuit. This piece is notable for its contrast against the outfits of competitors who all wore pieces that exposed their midriffs. The sleek bodysuit added to her powerful look as she raced past the finish line.

Fashion Reverie’s Gold Medal in Team Fashion: Germany’s Gymnastic Team

Fashion Reverie’s gold medal winning team for fashion is Germany’s gymnastic team. Their choice of attire was a powerful statement embellished by fashion. They opted for full-length leotards to combat unethical sexualization of female athletes, notably in gymnastics. Fashion being used for the purpose of equity and justice is extremely important and something to be immensely appreciated. The team took a leap forward in the battle not just for gold, but more importantly, for equity.

Fashion Reverie’s Gold Medal in Fashionable Sport: Skateboarding

Skateboarding is the most interesting summer sport for fashion as it allows for the most freedom fashion-wise. The sport allows for street fashion to meet with cutting edge designs that represent the sport’s aesthetic. According to Teen Vogue, Nike teamed up with Piet Parra, Dutch artist and former skater, to create prints for team USA, France, Brazil and Japan. Some outfits included oversized monochromatic white button downs and trousers, vibrant geometric landscape prints on tees, and white canvas sneakers.

Fashion Reverie’s Silver Medal in Fashionable Sport: Gymnastics

Gymnastic uniforms are almost always the most talked about fashion at every summer Olympics. GK Elite custom made all of Team USA’s uniforms with the theme “Modern Warrior,” according to Bustle. Each uniform was embellished with thousands of Swarovski crystals and color palettes were in the traditional red, white, and blue colors as well as more modern lavender and black combinations. A particularly striking gymnastic look; however, was not from team USA, but was worn by Rebeca Andrade of Brazil as she won silver and gold. The look is a dreamy flower embellished pink and yellow sunset gradient piece.

—Tessa Swantek

Image credits

• tokyo-olympics-fashionable-moments-getty-images.jpg — Credit/source: Getty Images.
• olympicfashionroundup-02.jpg — Credit/source: Instagram.
• olympicfashionroundup-03.jpg — Credit/source: Instagram.
• olympicfashionroundup-04.jpg — Credit/source: Instagram.
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• olympicfashionroundup-07.jpg — Credit/source: nbcolympics.com.
• olympicfashionroundup-08.jpg — Credit/source: Instagram.com.
• olympicfashionroundup-09.jpg — Credit/source: Instagram.com.
• us-olympic-team-leotards-businesswire.jpg — Credit/source: businesswire.com.
• tokyo-olympics-fashionable-moments-feature.jpg — Editorial image.