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. Tobin

    The original Olympians went naked so what is the big deal here?

    July 15, 2012 at 1:20 am | Report abuse | Reply
  2. rdt

    Who cares? Seriously. They are just clothes.

    I think this is a sign of the decline of America, sure, but for a different reason than the one in this article: we spend our time spiraling out of control on things that don't really matter. Look around the place where you live; surely we can all think of something more worthy of our energy than this.

    Let's work on hunger, energy, ecology, and education...and then let's worry about how to best spread US nationalism into the fashion world.

    July 15, 2012 at 1:30 am | Report abuse | Reply
  3. Lancaster

    Is that pout part of the uniform?

    July 15, 2012 at 1:37 am | Report abuse | Reply
  4. Jane M

    China owns the Americans. They are addicted to low priced imports to numb their lives.

    July 15, 2012 at 3:03 am | Report abuse | Reply
  5. Jane M

    All the angry American go to their Chinese made computer and type up their whiny complaints!

    Then they go into the living Room and eat their McDonalds while sitting on a sofa from Hungary and watch brainless sitcoms on their Chinese made TV and get a call on their Taiwan made cell phone. They then wonder why they keep getting fatter.

    July 15, 2012 at 3:11 am | Report abuse | Reply
    • Keith

      My cell phone is Finnish, my couch is from North Carolina.

      My TV is made in South Korea and my Jeans are are made in Mexico. I am writing this on my American made computer and I am rather fit for an old man.

      It seems the whiny person is the one I am answering, are you overweight too?

      July 15, 2012 at 12:10 pm | Report abuse |
  6. HIDE BEHIND

    There is no sense quivling over what their uniforms wii look like because as. soon as they can they will be out of them and its party time

    The most important article to be available is the over 70,000 condoms that will be on, well not on hand exactly, available for use lets say.
    An ESPN. interview of athletes found out that the 70k may not be enough.
    I wonder if a company sponsorship has been found and what kind of advertisement display will look like.

    July 15, 2012 at 3:36 am | Report abuse | Reply
  7. HIDE BEHIND

    P.S. It's no wonder timed Olympic events are slower than world records.

    July 15, 2012 at 3:44 am | Report abuse | Reply
  8. Andy

    The original olympians were naked. Why not just wear boxers?

    July 15, 2012 at 4:17 am | Report abuse | Reply
  9. Nina

    So many people are outraged by this uniform debacle–I wonder if they are the same people who keep buying Apple products, all of which are made in China. Stop buying Apple, Ralph Lauren, and anybody else whose goods are produced anywhere but the U.S. There are plenty of people in this country ready, willing and able to make and grow what we need.

    It's long past time for The People to take action–we can not rely on government to do what needs to be done. For 30 years we've been told tax breaks for the wealthy will create jobs. Really? I'm still waiting. Buy U.S., and better yet, buy local and stop feeding the corporations and their fat cats.

    July 15, 2012 at 4:25 am | Report abuse | Reply
  10. Matt

    Ralph Lauren must be rolling in money if he is charging $1,600 for clothing made in China.

    July 15, 2012 at 4:42 am | Report abuse | Reply
  11. goandrew

    It is important to be reminded that neither the U.S. government nor U.S. citizens have a say in the matter. The U.S. Olympic Committee is privately funded. The government doesn't fund training, teams, transportation, etc. Unless an individual makes a donation to the USOC, neither do they have a right to be concerned about this overblown story.

    Many countries do fund their Olympic athletes, we do not. The USOC relies on corporate sponsorship to fund certain elements of their activities. A major component of sponsorship includes prominent logo placement, in this case it is the Polo logo. It's no different than the ubiquitous Nike swoosh on college uniforms. That isn't coincidence, you know.

    And for the uninformed, the U.S. doesn't host Olympic Games, cities do. Atlanta, Lake Placid, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles - all raise the funds to host the games themselves; the U.S. as a whole didn't contribute.

    July 15, 2012 at 4:44 am | Report abuse | Reply
    • Michael Oyo

      you're telling the truth!

      July 15, 2012 at 6:10 am | Report abuse |
    • Keith

      So what you are saying is that since we don't pay the bills we don't have a say or deserve to have our opinions heard. Just like our Government.

      July 15, 2012 at 12:13 pm | Report abuse |
  12. Dixon

    I didn't see where the tea party blamed Obama for this. Someone in the party is in big trouble for missing this chance.

    July 15, 2012 at 4:53 am | Report abuse | Reply
  13. US of A NoLonger

    Hardly surprising when our President was was made in Kenya.

    July 15, 2012 at 5:36 am | Report abuse | Reply
    • boyamidumb

      And your parents are what? Native americans? And their parent? And their parents? What is made clear by your statement, is in which orifice you have your head.

      July 15, 2012 at 7:09 am | Report abuse |
  14. David

    Everyone is complaining about not being made in America, but how many of you out there are going to Walmart and buying that cheap China crap? Grow up, if you want to wear clothes made in America, then quit buying China made clothes and get the jobs back here in America. Oither words, quit buying Walmart junky low quality clothes.

    July 15, 2012 at 5:53 am | Report abuse | Reply
    • Michael Oyo

      It's just a label. Don't take it too serious. As a international salesman, my major customers are from usa,what I want to tell you is every extra penny deserves its value, Not all the importers are willing to pay more for a higher level quality products.
      what would you say?

      July 15, 2012 at 6:21 am | Report abuse |
  15. shocked monkey is a loser

    so will our olympians be forced to ditch their
    nikes too?

    July 15, 2012 at 7:19 am | Report abuse | Reply
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