This Just In
July 14th, 2012
03:25 PM ET

Overheard on CNN.com: Forget uniforms, U.S. Olympians would be better off 'naked'

Editor's note: This post is part of the Overheard on CNN.com series, a regular feature that examines interesting comments and thought-provoking conversations posted by the community.

Just days after the U.S. Olympic team's opening ceremony uniforms were unveiled, it was also revealed that American designer Ralph Lauren's creations were, in fact, not born in the U.S.A. To our readers, the iconic partnership of Lauren with Team U.S.A. seemed like a guarantee that America's best athletes would be sporting homegrown threads as they represented their country at the London games.

However, this is also not the first time we've encountered mother country disconnect when it comes to Olympic uniforms. Australia's uniforms were made in China, and in 2008, Canadian uniforms came from China, as well. In 2002, American athletes sported berets to the Winter Games in Salt Lake City made by Canadian company Roots.

Our readers took to the comments with outrage that addressed not only the shock factor of the news itself, but what it meant for declining American manufacturing, supporting our own country on multiple platforms and even just how un-American the uniforms appeared in the released photo. Some expressed a little more negativity when it comes to an outsourcing attitude that has developed across the country.

One commenter echoed what many readers felt initially upon seeing the headline.

Ken Ewan: What the hell is happening in the United States? Where is our national pride? Make it happen! It's no wonder we are losing out on the trade deficit with China!

Like the decline of the American automotive industry, readers felt that this was only one thread in the unraveling state of our textile industry. We even released a list of products made in America, which commenters are also adding to, to show how people can still "buy American."

Our commenters were quick to point out their knee-jerk reaction to the style of the uniforms themselves - no matter where they were made.

Wyckette: Ralph Lauren may be an "iconic" American designer, but he certainly isn't "modern."  These outfits look like they could have been worn when Gatsby was written.  The committee needs to find a designer who will be a "supporter" (does that mean donates the uniforms free-of-charge?) and who can produce a design which reflect the effort the athletes exert to win and the nation they represent.  Oh, and someone who can find a manufacturer in America who can produce these for less than $1600 per uniform.

Cat Nippy: I don't have any problem with a "classic" look. It certainly beats what passes for fashion today. But I have to admit I don't care for these uniforms. I think they could have done a lot better–something updated yet classic.

Others found the uniforms to be un-American and, well, just completely unattractive.

Beth Pinney: I usually do not comment, but my first response to those uniforms–Team USA looks like a bunch of fight attendants from the 1960s!

GUNGY: I don't care where they are made, they look French and that's just not cool.

55Buckeye: I've seen berets worn in the Olympics many times . . . how many times have they donned a good ole' fashion American baseball cap? We've even lost our American "heritage."

Ronald McCormick: Not to mention bad style. Makes our athletes look like pompous aristocrats from Europe.

Bob_RR: They look like Biff and Jody just left the yacht club tor tennis.  All they need is an ascot and a captain's hat.

Some readers offered creative solutions to keep Olympians from having the wear the uniforms.

Love4USA: I think our Olympians should refuse to wear these insults, put on their every day clothes and walk out there looking like Americans and then take all of the gold.

Penelope Elaine Smith: GO NAKED...the only way to guarantee "MADE IN AMERICA"

Snowdogg: Have an open design competition for the next Olympics and get some fresh, contemporary looks

tommie451: Those blazers look like garbage. Double-breasted? Plus those berets? Who is running this? Think the US Olympic Team should just go casual and forget about it. Granted every stitch will be foreignly crafted. But at least they can walk with dignity and not shame.

Love4USA: Heck, if they're going to dress like that why not get some Navy dress uniforms over there and have them wear those?  I'm sure there are plenty and in enough sizes for everybody.

Several commenters reacted to the fact the U.S. Olympic Committee promised to deliver on American-made uniforms for 2014, but stated that they wouldn't be able to fix this error in the days leading up to the Olympics in London.

Love4USA: You can't tell me at least an effort to make new uniforms and get them to London in 13 days is impossible.  Lauren needs to do the right thing and make this happen and foot the entire bill.

Reddog9500: Now it's up to American clothing manufacturers (the ones who are left, that is) to step forward and say:  We can make them in time for the London Games.

Richard Sparda: Considering these unis only are worn for the opening ceremony it seems like there would be some company out their willing to provide made in the USA uniforms on such short notice. Who cares if they aren't made by Ralph Lauren, maybe this is a wake-up call that America needs to start supporting local companies instead of overseas slave labor.

Sandra Smith: When you see the awards shows....the next day designers have the gowns duplicated and are selling them cheap......Don't tell me the government or some private organization can't whip a new line in a week...

A common thread in the comments also reflected the "you're just realizing this?" mentality of many commenters. They encouraged the people who were expressing their outrage to check the labels on their clothing and see where it was made.

Germanicus: If they want to look like Americans, then they should wear the "made in China" uniforms. The rest of us in the States are wearing the same thing.

Ella Jay: honestly i am shocked at how few people every bother to turn something over, or look at the label, and see where it was made. i don't care if it does have an american label on it, all you have to do is glance right about that for 'made in china' in many languages. it is difficult, but not impossible, to not 'buy chinese' but it shouldn't be that hard for us as citizens to find homemade things. i went to yosemite last year, and went into the general store. i could not find one thing in that store – in an american national park – that was made in america. i would have bought everything made here. it was 90% china and the other %10 was like, pakistan, india ... iran. i am not kidding. wake up, people

Stephen: I find this whole discussion absolutely absurd. The fact is that, the uniforms were made in china to save money. If we had them made in the USA we would have been forced to borrow more money from china to pay the USA clothing manufacturers. SO whats the difference?

Rubenreyes: I find it silly to make this scandal about uniforms. On the one hand, what about all the other stuff that athletes will be using? Is anybody checking where is it manufactured? And on the other hand, stop whining about apparel and footwear manufacturing in the US! Really? Is that the future of employment generation? Focus on education! Focus on high-end product manufacturing! Focus on professional services and innovation! Those are the jobs that can sustain the American way of living, that will keep America ahead, and that will provide job security.

Christina16: How can Americans not know Ralph Lauren's clothing is made in China? Don't anyone read the inside labels? Just because Ralph Lauren is American doesn't mean his products are made here. I'm an American and I knew it was made in China as are most other American brands including Calvin Klein, Donna Karan. Check out your department stores like Macy, JC Penney or even Walmart. Bet you 99% is made in China.

One commenter felt that this scandal was a drop in the bucket compared to local U.S. industry woes.

couldbe49: The best response to this revelation is to do nothing. Why? Because any action taken about the uniforms will divert attention away from the reality of what has happened to the U.S. textile industry, and will do nothing about repatriating the jobs lost by outsourcing.
The real message here is that the American middle/working class people have been sold out by Ralph Lauren and their ilk.. A few American made uniforms will not change that.

Readers also reacted sharply to the idea of the Polo horse logo, and corporate sponsorship, being given such noticeable play on Olympic apparel.

Karyn Boldys: Corporate logos should be banned from Olympic uniforms; they degrade the true spirit of the Olympic games. Our athletes should not be used as billboards to increase corporate profits.

Beth Pinney: Just watched the video clip. Ralph Lauren, an "Iconic American Company", has put their logo (about 2x the size as the American Flag) on the left side of the outfit and the American Flag on the right side of the outfit. So, when our athletes sing our National Anthem they will be putting their right hand over the RL Polo Icon and NOT the American Flag–now, that is a slap in the face! The cost of the Ralph Lauren uniform for each man (don't know about the women)–$1609.50! Really! And that includes the white shoes! Really! I'm assuming that's a good size tax write-off for RL?

And another common thread? Boycotting Ralph Lauren.

canexan: Boycott Lauren. Shoot the horse.

Bambianne: Sorry  Ralph, but this fashionista will buy nothing you make ever again and no one else should either. They don't make Chanel and Fendi in Chinese factories, so RL needs to get with the program.

Share your opinion in the comments area below and in the latest stories on CNN.com. Or sound off on video via CNN iReport, like Jannet Walsh, who shared her view that there is a definite "manufacturing jobs need in U.S."

Compiled by the CNN.com moderation staff. Some comments edited for length or clarity.

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Filed under: China • Olympics • Overheard on CNN.com • Sports • U.S.
soundoff (312 Responses)
  1. znod

    The whole "buy American" thing (if, and when, doing so is possible) is silly if one believes in completely free markets and the standard business goal of maximizing shareholders' wealth–two unassailable tenets of capitalism under the typical Republican view. Under these tenets, managers, ignoring moral hazard, make the best deals possible from the shareholders's perspective regardless of who ultimately is responsible for providing the goods or services. Sometimes the shareholders are better off buying from an American supplier and sometimes not so. In sum, any Republican who objects to obtaining olympic outfits from China does not understand the system he or she claims to hold dear. Democrats eschew this strict, and actually completely unrealistic, form of capitalism; thus, it make more sense for them to stress the importance of buying American.

    July 15, 2012 at 1:54 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  2. banasy©

    I do have an eye for fashion, and I agree with you!

    July 15, 2012 at 2:02 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  3. kevin

    no problem with outsourcing the consumer gear but outsourcing the uniforms for the athletes is ridiculous. yeah boycott stupid ralph lauren when you can. at the least don't buy any of their olympic gear online.

    July 15, 2012 at 2:03 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  4. Yikes

    A captain's cap and boat shoes and they look like yacht-ers.

    July 15, 2012 at 2:08 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  5. CBOhio

    I'm sure all the politicans wear expensive clothing that is made in the U.S.A., don't they?

    July 15, 2012 at 2:21 pm | Report abuse | Reply
    • meemee

      Actually, the most expensive stuff usually comes from Italy.

      July 15, 2012 at 3:01 pm | Report abuse |
  6. GD

    The olympic committee should let US companies "compete" and bid for the job to be the manufacturer of the uniforms and apparrel..........the committee can select finalist based on appearence and cost and let the people vote.

    July 15, 2012 at 2:29 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  7. ted

    I am sure our Olympians feel very special wearing an overpriced, european-styled suits made in China.

    July 15, 2012 at 2:54 pm | Report abuse | Reply
    • meemee

      I wouldn't call them European styled; that beanie sported beret is more Rasta style than anything else.

      July 15, 2012 at 3:03 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Bill

    This likely was a cost-based decision, not an effort to outsource. The blazers and such look very classy and probably could have been done here in the US without a lot of extra cost. Someone wasn't very PC-savvy there!

    July 15, 2012 at 2:59 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  9. Redeye Dog

    You have to admit, these "uniforms" look cheesy! But why don't we just have the team wear some upscale athletic warm ups suitable for all purposes? You know, because they're "athletes!"

    Another idea would be to plaster USA in bold letters on them. What's the problem with that?

    July 15, 2012 at 3:03 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  10. Oren Skurnik

    I have 2 issues with this topic. First off, I completely agree that it is a disgrace that the uniform for the Olympics was not made in the US. It's one of the main reasons I don't shop at Walmart, because you can't find anything Made in the USA there anymore.

    Secondly, I DO take issue with all this nonsense about the berets being French. Yes it has it's roots in France, SOOO WHAT. The language you use to disparage this item has it's roots in England, does that make you unAmerican too? Tell our freedom fighters in the GREEN BERETS they're are unAmerican. Get over it.

    July 15, 2012 at 3:08 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  11. Mark Miller

    The large majority of American Consumers daily purchase and wear goods that are NOT made in the USA. This seems more like an opportunity for people to talk but not act...espeically politicians. What is more....WHO made the last uniforms for Team USA? That would be a CANADIAN company....and they were a BIG HIT! Guess we missed all the whining and outrage on that one. ROOTS is based in Toronto. While Roots still operates its Toronto leather factory, as it has since the company was founded in 1973, about sixty per cent of the retailer's goods are manufactured in India, Peru, China, Vietnam and the United States.

    Oh Say can You see?

    Oh and one more thing....why don't you all take a look in your closets and let us know where most of your clothing is from.

    July 15, 2012 at 3:40 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  12. Made in USA(CHINA)

    Why are the commies making our uniforms? Sad. Cheap but sad.

    July 15, 2012 at 3:44 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  13. George

    Grow up! China funds out deficit, makes cheap goods for us to buy, and allows to export the dirty business of manufacturing out of our shores (think electronics-where do you think your smart phone is made?). We're part of the world economy, like it or not. So grow up! The 50's are over!

    July 15, 2012 at 3:50 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  14. Jeff Frank (R-Ohio) "Right Wing Insanity"

    Go way Jason Voorhees.

    July 15, 2012 at 3:52 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  15. Dave Harris

    The original Greek Olymphics were actually conducted with the athletes naked. Of course, only men were allowed, and most of them were gay. Attempts by 'conservatives' to revive this ancient tradition are best not described.

    July 15, 2012 at 4:01 pm | Report abuse | Reply
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