Black, White, and Brown. Those are the three colors official U.S. Olympic gear provider Nike has decided will best represent the United States when athletes take to London in July.
“The clothing is completely American, but avoid the cliché of red, white and blue,” Lisa Baird, USOC Chief Marketing Officer, said. “So it all makes a really modern, but still authentic American, statement.”
Cliché? Baird’s statement is getting flack from plenty of folks that remind her that the United States’ stars and stripes (and the red, white and blue color palette) have long held a place of honor and respect.
A few design details sound clever though:a jacket ventilation system with 50 tiny holes, one for each state; the Team USA mark inside the jacket, placed over the heart; and all of the typefaces used in the garments are from U.S. currency.