Winter Olympics: U.S. opening ceremony uniforms unveiled

Jan. 26 (UPI) -- Ralph Lauren unveiled the opening ceremony uniforms for the U.S. Olympic team Thursday and this year the apparel designer made sure the items were 100 percent made in the United States.

After getting some backlash for outsourcing some of the clothing manufacturing for the team's 2012 uniform, the company stayed closer to home, employing some 40 U.S. companies to complete the look.

"It is a privilege to be a part of dressing Team USA during the Sochi Games," says David Lauren, Ralph Lauren’s son and executive vice president of advertising, marketing and corporate communications, in a press release. "It’s a proud moment for us to watch these premier athletes as they walk out representing our nation on a global stage in front of billions of people worldwide."

“I got a phone call back in July 2012 from someone at Ralph Lauren who was looking for American yarn,” Jeanne Carver, owner of Imperial Stock Ranch, told the New York Daily News. “I provided samples and [six months later] we got a purchase order from them.”

This year's opening ceremony look includes a patchwork cardigan featuring the Olympic rings and a variety of other U.S. symbols and motifs. The look is completed with a wool hat, white pants and heavy, black boots.

[Us Magazine] [New York Daily News]