# USA Opening Ceremony outfits **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [January 23, 2014, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-opening-ceremony-outfits/679534 "2014-01-23T16:42:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-opening-ceremony-outfits/679534/41 "2014-01-27T12:12:04Z")
> [@ZebraShaSha](#): > > \*I’m \*a graphic designer and I’ve sat through plenty of client meetings where the client comes in and goes “ummmmmmm… nope.” > > “Fugly” is valid in this case because they are, in every sense, “fucking ugly” – atleast according to traditional Western aesthetic standards of “ugly as fuck.” No symmetry, cluttered, cartoonish silhouette (those oversized boots make them look like Megaman), etc etc. You know, fuck ugly. But as you say, it’s pageantry, and in pageantry you can only stand out by being the loudest person in the room, and in that sense they’re successful, in that they are the knitted essence of a thousand screaming refugee orphans. > > (I like them, but I like them because they’re so outrageously hideous. That seems to be the point, after all.) _I’m_ a (20+ years) graphic designer too, and I think fugly’s rather a good description. The outfits are kitsch, but somehow not in a good way. They still look _too much_ like they’ve been knitted by granma… rather than being a modern interpretation of a homeknit, they just look like a homeknit. They lack humour and just look a bit naff. I certainly wouldn’t suggest they’ve been designed in five minutes, but I would generously say ‘perhaps a brave idea which doesn’t quite come off’. And the sweatpants and boots are almost the worst part. I will now go and cower in the corner in anticipation of Team GBs get up. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-opening-ceremony-outfits/679534/42 "2014-01-27T12:26:12Z")
> [@citizenzen](#): > > And yet that’s the suit that will be worn. > > I’d try to get used to it if I were you. > > But I hate to get in the way of a good snit. > > So by all means, be peeved. This post is you deliberately trying to piss people off because they dare to disagree with you. Stop it. ---
**Author:** ![citizenzen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a8b319/32.png) [@citizenzen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/citizenzen)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-opening-ceremony-outfits/679534/43 "2014-01-27T14:15:40Z")
> [@ZebraShaSha](#): > > \*I’m \*a graphic designer and I’ve sat through plenty of client meetings where the client comes in and goes “ummmmmmm… nope.” Yes. And you and I hate those kind of client interactions because we need to know why they are reacting negatively in order to find the solution that solves both the design problem and the clients personal whim. > [@ZebraShaSha](#): > > No symmetry, cluttered, cartoonish silhouette (those oversized boots make them look like Megaman), etc etc. You know, fuck ugly. But as you say, it’s pageantry, and in pageantry you can only stand out by being the loudest person in the room, and in that sense they’re successful, in that they are the knitted essence of a thousand screaming refugee orphans. > > (I like them, but I like them because they’re so outrageously hideous. That seems to be the point, after all.) Now THAT’s a critique. Thank you for your insightful breakdown. The only thing I disagree with is that the outrageousness is hideous. I see outrageousness that is bold yet beautiful … pushed to the limit, yet not too far over it. I certainly don’t want to overstate how much I like it. I just think that for what it is, an Olympic uniform, I appreciate what was done and the design and thought behind it. > [@SanVito](#): > > _I’m_ a (20+ years) graphic designer too, and I think fugly’s rather a good description. > > … Design is never received as good or bad by 100% of the audience. I didn’t ask for designer’s opinions because I expected unanimity or appreciation, I just thought the critique would be a little more thoughtful since we directly understand the more about the components of design as well as the process of it. [and no, that doesn’t make our judgement any more valid than anyone else’s] Thanks for offering yours. ---
**Author:** ![citizenzen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a8b319/32.png) [@citizenzen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/citizenzen)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-opening-ceremony-outfits/679534/44 "2014-01-27T14:20:56Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > This post is you deliberately trying to piss people off because they dare to disagree with you. Stop it. I was responding mostly to the statement, “I don’t want anyone to represent my country wearing [that] outfit …” It seemed to me a very futile complaint as the deed is long past done, people are going to represent the country wearing that outfit and that one person’s personal desire has as much chance changing the outcome as shouting into a windstorm to get it to stop blowing. But hopefully it was cathartic. At least it could have achieved that. ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-opening-ceremony-outfits/679534/45 "2014-01-27T15:43:18Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > This post is you deliberately trying to piss people off because they dare to disagree with you. Stop it. > [@citizenzen](#): > > I was responding mostly to the statement, “I don’t want anyone to represent my country wearing [that] outfit …” > > It seemed to me a very futile complaint as the deed is long past done, people are going to represent the country wearing that outfit and that one person’s personal desire has as much chance changing the outcome as shouting into a windstorm to get it to stop blowing. > > But hopefully it was cathartic. > > At least it could have achieved that. What **BigT** said. Your behavior is transparent to the regulars on the board. And also to people who joined yesterday. ---
**Author:** ![citizenzen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a8b319/32.png) [@citizenzen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/citizenzen)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-opening-ceremony-outfits/679534/46 "2014-01-27T16:28:00Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > What **BigT** said. > > Your behavior is transparent to the regulars on the board. And also to people who joined yesterday. My “behavior” is to lend my opinion and hopefully stimulate intelligent discussion. ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-opening-ceremony-outfits/679534/47 "2014-01-27T17:02:54Z")
Given the uniform design isn’t for designers but the general population no one cares what the designers think. Since most people think they’re terrible kitschy home knit abominations that makes the design a kitschy home knit abomination. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-opening-ceremony-outfits/679534/48 "2014-01-27T17:53:53Z")
The more I look at those sweaters, the more they resemble a patchwork quilt in some country cabin. > [@citizenzen](#): > > What’s the point? Design is the interplay of shape, color, texture as well as meaning. I’d assume that older hockey uniforms had laces, so it’s an homage to the past. > > On a general note, what most people don’t seem to appreciate in this thread is that there is an element of pageantry to the Olympic Games and a big part of this pageantry has found expression through the national uniform. > > I think they’ve done a marvelous job. A lot teams’ jerseys STILL have actual laces on them, so why have fake ones? There’s no point. Those things are an embarassment. Seriously, I’d have loved to have gotten a Brooks Orpik jersey, but I wouldn’t be caught dead in one of those things. You _may_ know a lot about design, but you obviously don’t know shit about hockey. > [@citizenzen](#): > > Now THAT’s a critique. Thank you for your insightful breakdown. The only thing I disagree with is that the outrageousness is hideous. I see outrageousness that is bold yet beautiful … pushed to the limit, yet not too far over it. > > I certainly don’t want to overstate how much I like it. I just think that for what it is, an Olympic uniform, I appreciate what was done and the design and thought behind it. And that, my friends, is a load of pretentious bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Made\_French\_Toast\_For\_You](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/858c86/32.png) [@I\_Made\_French\_Toast\_For\_You](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Made_French_Toast_For_You)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-opening-ceremony-outfits/679534/49 "2014-01-27T18:13:01Z")
> [@Grey](#): > > … no one cares what the designers think. > [@Guinastasia](#): > > … And that, my friends, is a load of pretentious bullshit. It’s always nice to see the SDMB warmly welcome a new member. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-opening-ceremony-outfits/679534/50 "2014-01-27T18:49:58Z")
I must have missed the new member called **designers**. I don’t know how that slipped past me. **designers** welcome to the SDMB, we’re prickly, but at least stylishly prickly. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![citizenzen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a8b319/32.png) [@citizenzen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/citizenzen)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-opening-ceremony-outfits/679534/51 "2014-01-27T18:53:17Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > … And that, my friends, is a load of pretentious bullshit. Let me quote an esteemed member of the forum … > [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > … Your behavior is transparent to the regulars on the board. And also to people who joined yesterday. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-opening-ceremony-outfits/679534/52 "2014-01-27T19:14:35Z")
If you don’t know what he was trying to hint at, I can’t help you, dude. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-opening-ceremony-outfits/679534/53 "2014-01-27T19:40:30Z")
It looks like a homemade sleeping bag sewn by a crazy aunt. The one who has four flagpoles in her front yard and won’t stop emailing you Obama conspiracy theory glurge. ---
**Author:** ![citizenzen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a8b319/32.png) [@citizenzen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/citizenzen)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-opening-ceremony-outfits/679534/54 "2014-01-27T19:47:21Z")
> [@I\_Made\_French\_Toast\_For\_You](#): > > It’s always nice to see the SDMB warmly welcome a new member. :rolleyes: It’s okay. I’m a veteran of many forums. Though I would prefer if people didn’t swear and found some other way to express their dissent. But even then, that says more about their ability to use the English language effectively than anything else. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-opening-ceremony-outfits/679534/55 "2014-01-27T21:02:17Z")
Okay, let’s cut the sniping of others and growing hostility in this thread. Many of you have already given their opinion on the matter, so if you wish to debate or fight further over it, please take it to the Pit instead of this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-opening-ceremony-outfits/679534/56 "2014-01-27T21:23:28Z")
I won’t say anything bad about the people who like them. …except the guy who signed off on these. _He_ should commit ritual suicide. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-opening-ceremony-outfits/679534/57 "2014-01-27T22:21:00Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > This post is you deliberately trying to piss people off because they dare to disagree with you. Stop it. This post is you junior modding again. Stop it. ---
**Author:** ![iftheresaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecae2f/32.png) [@iftheresaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iftheresaway)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-opening-ceremony-outfits/679534/58 "2014-01-28T03:46:18Z")
Well, I don’t know shit about design and in fact this very morning there was a family story told about how poorly I dress, but I like the uniforms. They look cozy and like we don’t give too many shits, which seems appropriately American to me. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-opening-ceremony-outfits/679534/59 "2014-01-29T02:24:31Z")
> [@iftheresaway](#): > > Well, I don’t know shit about design and in fact this very morning there was a family story told about how poorly I dress, but I like the uniforms. They look cozy and like we don’t give too many shits, which seems appropriately American to me. I’m from the U.S. I think you’re right. That may be why I dislike them so much. I think they’re rude. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-opening-ceremony-outfits/679534.md?page=2)