Australian Olympic Team uniform earns mixed reviews from social media

For the upcoming Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Australia’s athletes will parade at the opening ceremony wearing striped mint green blazers with dark green trim, paired with white shorts for the men and while skirts for the ladies.

Australian fashion retailer Sportscraft, which has designed the country’s Olympic team uniform in the past, revealed this year’s ensemble, which some reports claim as giving off a candy stripe vibe. Others, on the other hand, say that it is reminiscent of Harry Potter characters. The new uniform also includes a gold-colored accessory – scarf for the female athletes and tie for the males.

The blazer, which bears the names of Olympic champions along the lining, is an integral part of being an Olympian, according to Team Chef de Mission Kitty Chiller as reported by ABC. “Our athletes have trained for years, for decades ... to earn the right to have that blazer and it's a blazer that they will keep, they'll treasure and they'll wear for the rest of their lives,” she said.

This year’s Australian Olympic Team are reportedly happy with their uniform’s design. “It's hard to describe how it feels to put the jacket on, with the Olympic Rings, the Kangaroo and Emu and Rio 2016 ... plus my name's inside which is extra special," gold-medal-winning hockey player Jamie Dwyer said. He posted a photo of himself sporting the new uniform on his Instagram account.

For her part, cyclist Annette Edmondson told ABC, “It's going to be hot weather in Rio so we don't want to be overheated ... it's nice and light.”

Social media users are split over the look of the Australian Olympic Team uniform. On Sportscraft Facebook page, some commented favourably, while the others did not like the design. User Trish Murfett wrote, “Congratulations and thank you Sportscraft on designing the best looking Olympic uniform, [which] I think the Australian team has had in a very long time. Well done great job.” Toni van Dalen, on the other hand, commented, “I love that the name of the Olympians are printed inside the blazers. Terrific touch.” Mel Rocca wrote, “About time, good work… love the design. Australia will look awesome for the opening!”

The uniform also earned negative comments from some Facebook users, with some writing that it looked like a high school uniform or an outfit for flight attendants. “Awful! They look like they are going into the office or boarding a plane for their first shift,” Carmen Ruiz wrote. Facebook user Ben Robertson, meanwhile, commented, “Looks like they aren’t sure if they are going to prep school or sailing… so they decided to do both.” Paul Lindsay even wondered, “Shorts with a blazer… who’d they think they are? Pharrell?”

The opinions of Twitter users are mixed as well.

Meanwhile, a Twitter user reveals his thoughts about people’s opinion on the Australian Olympic Team uniform.

The opening ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games will be held on Aug. 5 at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.