When I woke up on the first day of March, the sun was aggravatingly bright and then it hit me: the Olympics were over. I recalled hazily the train wreck of giant beavers and mounties with Avril Lavigne and Simple Plan singing songs I liked when I was an angsty pre-teen and shuddered as I tried to bury that image in the graveyard of forgetfulness. True, the Olympics and the figure skating that I so eagerly awaited was gone, but I could still enjoy my pretty red Vancouver 2010 mittens as I rolled snow into a ball and threw it at my darling friend and fellow blogUT writer, Julia. Speaking of Olympic attire, here are a few fashion highlights and splats of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games.

Mixed Feelings – Team Canada Sweaters

On one hand, these sweaters are rather endearing with its maple leaf and moose but on the other hand, its grey-ish colour scheme and volume makes me feel like someone who will wake up, put on a lumberjack shirt (under this sweater), take out my trusty snowshoes and trek five miles uphill both ways so I could go… I dunno, check my rabbit traps. The rest of the team Canada gear was simple and sporty (I do hate the checked sewing on the black coats though) but this piece, though unique, might be a bit out of place in a world where wearing giant wool sweaters in public is synonymous with crazy cat person.

Thumbs Up – Team Russia Jackets

Platinum medals and quads aside, the Russians sported these really lovely jackets with these wing-like patterns on the shoulders. I prefer the red-on-white version of the jacket than the white-on-red just because it’s more simplistic and I would totally buy one (even if I’m not really cheering for any Russian athlete) – if the thing didn’t cost $1199 and no, that’s not in rubles but Canadian dollars. Still, I’ve got to mention that my favourite piece of Russian wear are these scarves from 2006 Olympics in Torino.

Thumbs Down – Wearing Dark Underwear in a Transparent-ish Suit

Dear Miho Takagi,

We don’t want to see your g-string while you race or practice. It isn’t going to make your time any faster. Or at least it shouldn’t. Not to mention you’re just 15.

Award – Best Figure Skating Costume

This couple won the best dressed award in Ailsa’s article on figure skating outfits and a gold medal and I will give them another award for best dressed again for Tessa’s new dress, which is GORGEOUS. Tessa has gone through at least 3 or 4 dresses for their free dance this season but this one is the best. Simple, elegant and very complimentary to their program. I hope she wears it to the World Championships in 2 weeks in Torino.

Award – Worst Figure Skating Costume

And… it’s a tie! The Worst Figure Skating Costume Award goes to Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin for their culturally insensitive costumes (and program) which stereotype aboriginal people and Tatiana Volosozhar and Stanislav Morozov with these really disturbing blue, shiny, spandex costumes… designed by Olympic pairs bronze medallist Aliona Savchenko. I’m not sure whether I should make an acerbic comment on Aliona’s taste or Volosozhar/Morozov’s decision to even put these monstrosities on. Then again, if you think I complain too much, just wait until the Olympic coverage starts leaking on youtube – David Pelletier would not shut up about the hideousness of those blue… things despite their lovely lifts, and really high twists and throw jumps.

Love – Just Pure Love

I think at the beginning, there was some sort of issue about the Norwegian curling team’s pants but I’ve loved them since the first time I laid eyes on them. Awesome pattern, simple colours and paired with a not so distracting top – I approve. The fact that some of these guys are cute is also a total bonus.

Special Mention – A Crown of Roses

I am rather cross at the moment with Canada’s little figure skating golden boy, Patrick Chan, for calling Johnny Weir out for being improper for wearing a crown of roses from a fan. Chan, you’re just jealous that Johnny can pull the roses off and you can’t. Not to mention he seriously should’ve been ranked higher than you.

To end this article, I will say that rather than taking my fashion policing too seriously, just remember Johnny’s favourite quote: “To thy own self be true.”

Pictures from the Daylife Photo bank, here, here, here, here and here.

This entry was posted on Monday, March 8th, 2010 at 5:33 pm and is filed under Athletics & Health, Fashion, Review. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.