Team Sweden's Outfits During the 2012 London Olympics

5th Best Nation at the Olympics: Sweden

Anyone who has ever dreamed of becoming a professional athlete surely finds the summer Olympics to be among the most exciting events in sports. With such a rich and thorough history, it’s no wonder why the Olympics have endured and remained exceptionally popular since they began. In 2012, it should come as no surprise that production values are higher than ever before, and that the Olympics are just as much a spectacle as they are a culmination of some of the finest athletes in the world. The 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony was a sight to be seen, not only for its intense production value, but for the exceptionally attractive ensembles worn by some of the teams. While not every team was well-dressed, Sweden certainly found themselves up towards the top of the list, showcasing the eclectic nature of the country in a simple, yet attention-grabbing ensemble that will surely go down in history. We confidentially place the Swedes on the 5th Spot of our Best Dressed at the Olympics List.

Horizontal Stripes
It’s no secret that horizontal stripes and “preppy” fashion tend to go hand in hand. Whether or not the preppy look is making a comeback in Sweden is up for debate, although there’s no getting around the fact that Sweden’s Olympic team embraced this style for the opening ceremony. Athletes wore long-sleeved polo-style shirts that featured wide horizontal stripes in pool/turquoise blue and bright yellow. The ensemble perfectly incorporated the colors of the Swedish flag into the overall look; something that could’ve gone wrong with improper design. Each stripe was broken up by a thin stripe of white, which added a great deal of separation and balance to the piece. Horizontal stripes aren’t for everyone, but the blonde hair, blue-eyed Swedes can make not only the pattern but the colors they chose work exceptionally well for them.

Grey Pants and Matching Shoes
In order to pull off a look like that of the horizontal stripes worn by the Swedes at the Olympic opening ceremony, you’ve got to have the right pants to match. Sweden’s Olympic team chose to go with grey pants (women wore grey skirts), which provided the perfect contrast to the loud colors found in the shirt. It was the matching shoes, however, that really took things to the next level. Team Sweden’s shoes were light blue with white soles, with laces that were the same yellow as what was found in their shirts. The results could easily have clashed, but the expert nature in which the two were paired made for an extremely cohesive and attractive ensemble. A lot of the effectiveness of this look came from the contrast created by the mens’ pants and womens’ skirts; something other nation’s designers should note of for future ensembles.

Takeaways for the Modern Man
Modern men can learn a lot from analyzing the way Team Sweden dressed for the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony. Contrast, bold patterns, and bright colors are the name of the game here, and the Swedes pulled it off in an expert manner. The ensemble could’ve been a true mess if it didn’t include neutrality, however, which came in the form of the team’s grey pants. While trying to match shoes with a shirt in such a bold way can be risky, it may be worth trying if preppy fashion is something that appeals to you; just be sure to step in front of a mirror before leaving the house.

Other Well Dressed Nations at the Olympics:
Team Netherland's Fashion at the Olympics
Israel is the rd Best Dressed Nation at the Olympics

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