Rainbows and Sochi

[LovelyLadyLux]

I didn't take this photo but it is a cut and paste of the Costumes or Uniforms worn by German athletes at Sochi. Apparently the myriad of colours is close to the flag of Gay Rights people



Lots of controversy that these costumes (sorry am having a hard time calling these get ups uniforms) are somehow reflecting Germany's position re: gay rights. This apparently has been denied by Germany in that the official statement is that the uniforms have nothing to do with gay rights.

What makes a costume a costume and what makes a uniform a uniform?

[Grandad]

I agree LLL, they did look like something out of a carnival. Some countries chose their national dress or a variation on it. I would call that a costume. The GB team wore (rather drab I will admit) winter jackets and trousers topped off with Cossack style headgear. I thought they looked smart and I would certainly call their attire, uniform.

[LovelyLadyLux]

I particularly liked the Canadian uniform when they all walked into the Sochi Stadium during the opening ceremonies. The coat is styled after Hudson Bay blankets where ARE definitely a symbol of Canada.



I actually had a similar one when I was a teenager. The jacket was light green with a darker green stripe. I also still have a couple of wool Hudson Bay Blankets that actually have the black stripe(s) in one corner which indicated how many beaver pelts they were traded for.

All in all quite liked most of the Uniforms. The American uniform from a distance looked like they were wearing polka dots however when they got closer you could see the dots were actually stars and the sweaters were a design of red/white/blue with stars and stripes.

The German entrance looked much more carnival than serious. Just too many colours and jazzy motif.

I see Uniforms as being rather seriously focus'd however a costume is - well - a fun costume.