Team USA's speed skating uniforms raise eyebrows for cringeworthy design
Unfortunate wardrobe mishaps on the ice have been some of the biggest headlines at the 2018 Winter Olympics. And while no one from Team USA has fallen victim to a nightmare uniform malfunction (yet), the country's speed skaters are making headlines for another cringeworthy reason in the fashion department.
Team USA's speed skating uniform has raised eyebrows over an unflattering patch in the crotch area. While the rest of the bodysuit looks completely normal -- a navy bodysuit with red and white accents -- the light patch has left many wondering: What were the designers thinking?
Of course, many turned to social media to express their honest opinions on the bizarre bodysuit:
Y’all I’m assuming there is a point to the way the speed skating uniforms are designed, but maaaan that’s a weird place to put a light-colored circle.
— Christina “MASK UP” Stephens (@CEStephens) February 19, 2018
Don’t care the science behind this, this look is not OK (📷 by @rodger_sherman) pic.twitter.com/23EM04qtZR
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 19, 2018
So who designed the US speed skating uniforms? That crotch-highlighting look is a little tone-deaf. #Olympics#olympicsnark
— Emily Mellott (@eamellott) February 18, 2018
Well, it turns out that the awkward patch on the Under Armour-designed suit actually does have a purpose -- the lighter material in the crotch region is actually a slippery fabric that reduces friction by up to 65 percent when they are on the ice.
The uniform took four years to design after Under Armour came under fire during the 2014 Winter Olympics. The brand designed the uniform that was ditched midway into the competition in Sochi after it was blamed for the team's poor performance. During those games, Team USA failed to medal in speedskating for the first time in 30 years.
While Team USA's speed skating suits may not be the most fashionable ones on the track, it seems like it's doing its job! American John-Henry Krueger claimed a silver medal in the 1,000m final this past weekend, and there are many more opportunities left to win more hardware for Team USA.
Check out the slideshow below for the prettiest figure skating uniforms at Pyeongchang:
