Sochi Winter Olympics 2014 Opening Ceremony Fashion

Australia went sleek and bundled up in white puffer jackets and black pants with yellow accents.

Austria’s Olympic team stood out with a sea of red jackets, complete with bright blue hats.

Great Britain looked sharp in navy Moncler-esque puffer jackets with burgundy lining.

Brazil kept it bright in yellow jackets with blue scarves and black pants.

All other team uniforms (literally) paled in comparison Germany’s hypnotic, rainbow-patterned ensembles. Adidas, Bogner and Sioux are responsible for designing the eyesore ensemble.

The team stood out in cobalt blue costumes with yellow accents.

Bulgaria’s team looked very much in the holiday spirit with red and green outfits accented with white sleeves.

The shade of Ireland’s team uniform looked like a cross between shamrock and moss, but the neon green sneakers stole the show.

China’s simple uniforms consisted of red ski pants and white or red ski jackets.

Poland’s Olympic team went fashion-toward with a winter white ensemble with silvery grey and red components.

South Korea decided to go penguin-chic (or black tie-inspired, if you will) with a black and white ski suit.

Norway’s Olympic team went for straightforward color blocking with white ski jackets and powder blue pants.

The male members of Denmark’s team suited up in stripes with a trim ski jacket and matching pants; female athletes wore a red version of the jacket.

Neon was the motto for Slovenia’s lime green, bright blue and white team costume.

The French Olympic team looked extra-preppy in quilted grey blazers and khakis.

We could try to justify the United States’ ultra-patriotic, Christmas-sweater style uniforms, but some outfits simply have no excuse. At least they look spirited. We’re not surprised that Ralph Lauren was behind these preppy sweaters.

Though Portugal’s team was small, they looked mighty in their red, green, and black ensembles.

Argentina’s Olympic team went for a pop of color in an unexpected place with dark ski suits and bright azure gloves.

Ukraine’s team uniform created an optical illusion for observers of the ceremony: from afar, the uniform appeared to be camouflage, when up close a mesmerizing pattern looked less than chic.

Russia’s team uniforms confused some viewers with its mix of long, red, fur-trimmed jackets, red pants and navy shearling coats, but whether or not they were channeling Kris Kringle, they certainly looked warm.

Georgia went extra-patriotic with their uniforms, wearing multiples of their flag in strategic places on their red and white ensembles.

Jamaica’s team went subtle with its uniforms, with thin green stripes accenting black ensembles.

Dominica’s uniforms looked incredibly sporty in black, red, and white ensembles.

Spain’s Olympic team stood out in prep school-style red blazers and matching ties with black pants.

We have to love Bermuda’s Olympic team for rocking their namesake shorts in bright red despite the cold weather, complete with navy blazers and knee socks.

It was hard to miss Iran’s Olympic athletes in their lime green parkas and blue ski pants.

The white accent stripes on Italy’s team uniforms gave the navy ensembles a modern, Tron-like effect which was punctuated by red and white hoods.

Canada’s team looked predictably adorable in Hudson’s Bay-designed red toggle jackets and black pants that reminded us of a grown-up Paddington Bear.

The Belarus team rocked vibrant flame red jackets with matching patterned scarves.

The Cayman Islands team looked more than a little chilly in red board shorts and electric blue ski jackets with…sandals. Brrr.

The tiny Virgin Islands team pulled off a streamlined look in black and white.

Australia’s Olympic team took a fashion risk with forest green pants and white puffer jackets with yellow hats. Did it pay off? The judges are still conferring.

Israel’s team went nearly monochrome in shades of blue ranging from cobalt to robin’s egg.

Did Iceland commit a fashion faux pas? The team’s deep blue puffers with red accents looked remarkably similar to Great Britain’s navy and burgundy uniforms.

Latvia’s team uniforms were questionable thanks to a color-clashing combination of orange and brown.

Zimbabwe’s Olympians looked toasty and vibrant in vivid red fur-lined jackets.

Patterned red and white scarves accented the team’s red, yellow, and white ensembles, which were finished with petite pointed hats.

Slovakia channeled sporty ski fashion at its best with black and white ski parkas. The crowning glory of the ensemble? Knit sweaters, hats, and scarves embroidered with what appeared to be a heart pattern.

Serbia’s team let its accessories do the talking. Each red and white scarf was embroidered with the Olympic rings and a team crest, and patterned pom pom hats added extra warmth.

Venezuela’s team uniforms were especially eye-catching, thanks to color blocked red, yellow, and blue uniforms.

San Marino’s team fashion followed the Olympic trend of red and black with crimson ski jackets and dark pants.

Kazakhstan’s bright uniforms made us long for Spring with its sunny pairing of turquoise and yellow.

The Romanian team used the country’s flag as the ultimate accessory, keeping the rest of the ensemble subdued in black and white.

Sweden’s uniform had an avant-garde edge thanks to vibrant blue, asymmetric zippered jackets and patterned pants. H&M designed the ensemble.