Canada's Olympic Uniforms for Beijing

Has anyone seen the new Olympic uniforms? It looks like a psychedelic jogging suit from the 70s or really embarrassing pajamas. It could also be a painting mishap or the designer could have gone all "Sound of Music a la Gone With the Wind" on the clothes and made them from some hideous curtains. I could go on.

I'm a little confused as to how someone could make something this ugly and think it's fashionable. This is just another misstep for Canada and the Olympics. I also posted my thoughts on the 2010 mascots.

This particular debauchery of fashion is covered in the number eight as the Chinese believe it to be a lucky number. The colours obviously had to stay red and white. But I would describe the uniform as "halfway to funkytown" and I don't mean it in a good way. Yes I know it's not about the uniform, it's about the performance of the athletes but the Hudson's Bay Company will also be selling these in their stores. To me, it doesn't seem like any consideration for the customer has been taken into account. Who exactly is going to buy this? It might be comfortable and the fabric breathes but who's is going to wear this outside of their closet?

This is what comes of giving contracts to the Hudson's Bay Company when they should have gone to ROOTS. I love the HBC dearly for its place in Canadian history but it's clearly missed the mark here.

But I will give them this, the uniforms are all eco-friendly, made from bamboo and organic cotton. Good for them.

I have to laugh though because designers have also made something called a "B-Tube" that is supposed to protect athletes from Beijing's pollution. I couldn't find a decent picture but trust me when I say that it makes you look like a bank robber if you wear it as a facemask. This presents a bit of a problem. I don't know about you but one of the last places I'd want to look like a criminal is China.

As well I'm not the only one that feels this way. Check out My Two Cents for a more in-depth analysis of the uniform.