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Wool Shines at 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony
Team USA athletes wrapped in sustainable, all-natural wool uniforms from Ralph Lauren
Published on Feb. 7, 2026
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The 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Milan featured Team USA athletes wearing uniforms made with wool from the American West, supplied by the Shaniko Wool Company. The Ralph Lauren-designed collection bypassed high-tech fabrics in favor of the natural temperature-regulating and sustainable properties of wool, which has been a common material in Olympic apparel for centuries.
Why it matters
The use of domestic, sustainably-sourced wool for the Team USA uniforms highlights a shift towards more environmentally-friendly materials in athletic apparel, moving away from synthetics that can harm the environment. It also celebrates American manufacturing and the longstanding tradition of wool in Olympic fashion.
The details
The Team USA uniforms included white coats with heritage-inspired wooden toggles, red-white-and-blue wool turtleneck sweaters, and tailored wool trousers. Shaniko Wool Company, a sustainable supplier to Ralph Lauren since 2014, provided the wool from sheep like Princess, Peep, Pyeong and Chang. The natural properties of wool, including temperature regulation, odor resistance, elasticity and breathability, made it an ideal choice for keeping the athletes warm during the opening ceremony.
- The 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony took place in Milan on February 7, 2026.
The players
Jeanne Carver
Founder and president of the Shaniko Wool Company, a sustainable supplier of wool to Ralph Lauren for its Team USA uniforms since 2014.
Ralph Lauren
American fashion company that designed the Team USA uniforms for the 2026 Winter Olympics, opting for all-natural wool over high-tech fabrics.
Red Gerad
A Team USA snowboarder who praised the warmth and comfort of the wool uniforms.
Susan Sokolowski
Professor of product design at the University of Oregon who described the uniforms' Americana-inspired style with a classic twist.
David Lauren
Chief branding and innovation officer at Ralph Lauren, who expressed the company's goal of making the Team USA athletes look great in Italy.
What they’re saying
“It's such an honor. It's humbling, it's exhilarating — all at the same time.”
— Jeanne Carver, Founder and president, Shaniko Wool Company
“A lot of times people forget that even though it's the opening ceremony, it's the Winter Olympics. Really cold.”
— Red Gerad, Team USA snowboarder (USA TODAY Sports)
“We are really respecting the home country and city of Milan through this beautiful fashion, stealth white execution.”
— Susan Sokolowski, Professor of product design, University of Oregon
“If we can make them look great in Italy, we've scored.”
— David Lauren, Chief branding and innovation officer, Ralph Lauren (USA TODAY Sports)
What’s next
Shaniko Wool Company is hosting a watch party for the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony, where guests can try on the Team USA uniforms from Carver's personal collection.
The takeaway
The use of sustainable, all-natural wool in the Team USA uniforms for the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony represents a shift towards more environmentally-friendly materials in athletic apparel, while also celebrating American manufacturing and the longstanding tradition of wool in Olympic fashion.
