With the commencement of the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympic Games on Feb. 6, the interest in vintage Olympic merchandise has surged. That red poor-boy cap from the 1998 Nagano Games that you cherished in your school days? It has now become a sought-after fashion collectible. The official Olympic Heritage Collection is also offering limited re-issues of vintage T-shirts and memorabilia for enthusiasts.
To help you embrace the Olympic spirit with style, we sought advice from two fashion experts on how to find the trendiest vintage gear from past Games.
Olympic fashion has gained significant attention in recent years, attracting both institutions and the public. Patricia Reymond, the senior heritage and artefacts collections curator at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland, mentioned that national delegations are collaborating more closely with renowned designers, resulting in a higher level of design quality.
Apart from its historical significance, Olympic apparel holds a lasting emotional appeal. Micah Cameron, image director at Roots, emphasized the unique blend of design, nationalism, and cultural relevance that makes Olympic fashion so impactful.
According to Reymond, the ’60s and ’70s marked a turning point for Olympic fashion with the emergence of cohesive visual identities and collaborations with major fashion designers for staff uniforms.
One standout example is the Lithuanian delegation’s uniforms for the 1992 Barcelona Games, designed by Japanese fashion icon Issey Miyake. Cameron highlighted her favorite eras, including the graphic design and typography of the 1976 Montreal Games and the strong Canadian Olympic fashion during the 1998 Nagano and 2010 Vancouver Games.
Rare and highly desirable items include merchandise from the 1988 Calgary Olympic Games, particularly those linked to Roots’ outfitting of the Jamaican bobsled team. Other sought-after collectibles are Olympic patches and specific pieces of Roots merch from the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, like Team Canada hockey jerseys and red poor-boy caps.
For those interested in collecting Olympic merchandise, Reymond recommended starting with auction houses specializing in Games memorabilia or vintage items. Doing thorough research is crucial, especially understanding the designers and manufacturers of the pieces you seek.
Vintage garments often exhibit a visible patina that adds to their charm. When buying online, Reymond advised looking for listings from athletes or participants selling their own pieces for authenticity. Cameron prefers purchasing directly from individuals and suggests exploring online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, Etsy, and Grailed for unique finds and personal stories behind the items.