Taste makers: The most stylish Olympic athletes

Forget sport — who won the fashion battles of the Games? Karen Dacre picks the most stylish Olympians
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9 August 2012

1. The warm-up of wonder

While our swimmers’ body-skimming speed-suits may have ranked low in the fashion stakes — no one looks good in that much Lycra — the warm-up attire of our favourite water-babies kept us fascinated for days. Witness the resplendent Federica Pellegrini — warming up for her 200m freestyle swim, the Italian champion looked better suited to a beach in the Bahamas than to the Aquatics Centre.

2. Style Gold

Following months of speculation during which we tried to size up our competitors’ kits, it wasn’t until the athletics got under way that we were able to pick our favourite. The winner? Team GB, of course. But the US of A did a great job, too. Thanks to the red and navy colour-combo that looked amazing both on camera and in the flesh, the vibrant red two-pieces and bodysuits had a decidedly retro flavour that won them some serious style kudos.

3. Andy’s armoury

Sweatbands are back. Just ask Andy Murray, who wore a Union Jack print pair by Adidas for Stella McCartney to serve his winning serve last Sunday. Far more attractive than that sweaty old towel he usually favours, these bands are pure Olympic gold. Coming to a Stella McCartney store near you soon.

4. Finishing Tape

Full points to Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who has been as creative with her tresses as she has been quick on the track. While the Brits have stuck to scraped-back up-dos throughout the games, Fraser-Pryce chose to pin back her mane with a ribbon in fluoro-yellow which, by the way, was a perfect match for her trainers. Well, they do say co-ordination is key.

5. Shady Ladies

There are no flies on the Dutch beach volleyball team. Determined to shield their eyes from the, er, blazing Horse Guards Parade sun, the team chose a set of red visors to hit the sand — which was perfectly in line with autumn/winter’s greatest accessory trend as popularised by McQueen’s Sarah Burton.

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