See what the USA Golf teams will be wearing in Tokyo
The road to the Tokyo Olympics has been a long, strange trip. The good news is all systems appear to be a ‘go’ with less than a month before the games are lit (literally and figuratively) at the Opening Ceremony.
Golf will once again be a part of the Olympics. However, the threat of a virus (Zika in 2016 and Corona in 2021) has the top players dropping out one after the other. While many players have taken to social media to regrettably withdraw from the games, I’m here to say I’m available to tee it up in Tokyo. By my count, and based on my estimated world ranking, I only need a few million more Americans to press the eject button to receive the call.
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As it stands, Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele, and Bryson DeChambeau will represent the U.S. on the men’s side. The women’s team will be represented by Nelly and Jessica Korda, Danielle Kang, and Lexi Thompson. But what will they be wearing?
adidas Golf has given us a preview of the fits for the four rounds on the East Course at Kasumigaseki Country Club. While patriotic in their red, white, and blue palette, the uniforms for the United States’ men’s and women’s teams have a connection with the host country.
From the moment adidas Golf was renamed as the Official Uniform Provider for USA Golf, the brand began working with Tokyo-based artist Hiroko Takahashi on concepts for how the red, white, and blue would show up in Tokyo. Takahashi’s designs are iconic and instantly recognizable through her use of minimal elements like circles and straight lines meant to represent infinite possibilities. While this wasn’t the first time she worked with the Three-Stripes brand, it was her first foray into golf apparel.
In designing the unis, Takahashi drew inspiration for the different designs from a well-known Japanese saying from Shingen Takeda, a pre-eminent Japanese warrior in the Sengoku period. He inspired others to be “as fast as the wind, as quiet as the forest, as daring as fire, and immovable as the mountain.”
As a result, Team USA’s uniforms will represent these characteristics hrough Takahashi’s design aesthetic. And to create continuity, the men’s and women’s apparel will feature the same print patterns from Takahashi’s designs each day of the competition.
Men’s Uniforms
For the men’s team, the polos will be a mixture of adidas’ Ultimate365 and HEAT.RDY lines so players can stay loose and cool as temperatures rise in Tokyo. The HEAT.RDY materials are made with lightweight, Aqua-X yarns that draw away sweat. Body ventilation zones have also been incorporated where athletes need it most.
Day One (Wind)
Ultimate365 lightweight polo in a powerful white colorway with bold blue stripes based on Takahashi’s design. The polo is extremely breathable through mesh paneling in the back and features materials designed to move with the athlete.
Day Two (Forest)
Blade collar with built-in mesh zones and HEAT.RDY materials promote breathability. The sporty look incorporates a light gray undertone print featuring stripes and circles that combine into a larger design. A traditional collar option will also be available.
Day Three (Fire)
Bright-red polo emblazoned with Takahashi’s unique design representative of fire. The Ultimate365 lightweight polo features a four-way stretch to promote freedom of movement throughout the swing and mesh side paneling to keep players cool.
Day Four (Mountain)
Another blade collar on the only blue polo in the uniform script. A single red striping from the collar into the sleeves provides an added design detail. A traditional color striped ribbed collar option will also be available.
For bottoms, men will have a blue pant option made with adidas’ meltaway material; giving players a soft and premium feel to the touch but with ventilation to promote airflow as they play. There is also a white option that features a lightweight material with twill for a distinctive look and style.
Women’s Uniforms
For the women competing on behalf of USA GOLF, uniforms will come in a mixture of HEAT.RDY and AEROREADY materials.
Day One (Wind)
Crew mock short-sleeve polo in a white colorway with blue stripes across the body paired with 16” Ultimate Solid Skort, which comes with a bonded waistband and a bright red undershort for an extra pop of color.
Day Two (Forest)
An option between a lightweight long-sleeve shirt in a mock collar, as well as a short-sleeve or sleeveless polo featuring adidas’ sport collar construction. All will feature the same pattern from Takahashi’s designs and are HEAT.RDY materials to keep players cool. The women will have an option to wear a specially designed pull-on woven short in blue that features a bonded waistband and a three-inch inseam with the USA logo and side slits in red for some added color.
Day Three (Fire)
All red ensembles to represent fire and bring energy to the course on Moving Day. Zip mock polo in short-sleeve and sleeveless options paired with the option of a 16” A-Line silhouette skort with a bonded waistband.
Day Four (Mountain)
Sport-inspired dress with a mock collar and hidden zip closure. This lightweight, sleeveless dress features an athletic cut throughout to promote confidence with every swing while keeping players cool and comfortable.
The men’s and women’s uniforms are now available on adidas.com.
Is that Sergio in the main picture for the article? Sure looks like him if it isn’t, and would be very weird if it was!
Why would adidas go to a Japanese artist for a team USA outfitting?