Olympics 2012: Uniforms designed by Ralph Lauren and made in China.

[OutHouse]

There is something highly effeminate and European about the uniforms. When I first saw the image (on another forum with less context) I thought more along the lines of preppy high-class Briton wear, but I like yours better. They are pretty cute, though. :$

they look like a flight attendants uniform for British airways!

 

[michal1980]

I don't own a single $1900 suit from China.

The most expensive piece of clothing I have is a pair of boots made by Frye in the USA.

+1

If its cheap, I dont care where its made. On my 3rd pair of Allen Edmond shoes now. American made. Paid less then these Ralph shoes.

 

[busydude]

Please answer my question...why are these large corporations moving their headquarters out of the U.S.?

Do you see a pattern in there? Because I don't, you have to look at them at a case by case basis.

 

[OutHouse]

Add in unions holding the states by the balls, it is no wonder that companies outsource labor. It is too expensive to hire Americans.

not anymore

and not anymore

 

[MovingTarget]

not anymore

and not anymore

This. I think a lot of companies are starting to realize that the recent offshoring trend is not in their long-term interest. Sure, unions did hold a lot of power and at times went overboard, but they did not have the 'stranglehold' on the American worker like the right claims. Nowadays, their power is vastly diminished even in areas where they are solely needed (see: retail and foodservice). The numbers don't even add up like they used to for producing locally vs. in China. Shipping costs have gone way up, flexibility in production/QC is much higher here, Chinese wages have risen (somewhat), and there is a SEVERELY reduced chance that local Chinese firms that companies are forced to partner with will steal the IP and patents to produce knockoffs. Its time this FUD about American workers and industry stop being spread if we are to rebuild our middle class.

 

[Infohawk]

The reason they are made in China is due to liberal policy. If they were made in the USA, they would have to make $8.50+ per hour, plus paid time off, pension, matched SS and disability contributions, etc.

Fuck outsourcing, but I understand why it is done.

What you want is called "racing to the bottom."

 

[bfdd]

lol that's funny because at those prices Lepore is right you can find athletic garb made in the USA for similar or cheaper prices.

 

[zinfamous]

what could be more American than skirting our long-held, hard-fought labor laws than simply shipping those very same labor practices off-shore by taking advantage of a foreign work-force of unprotected, overworked, children and young people making a pittance for creating our junk?

We've been doing it for decades! It is the nature of our Holy Capitalism. All hail the green god!


Seriously, this is American. The political posturing is hilarious to watch--particularly because it's the only thing they can seem to agree on these days (never mind that our Olympic uniforms have been made outside of the US for the last 4 or 5 Olympics)

 

[techs]

True American fashion:

 

[BoomerD]

(old but still relevant)

Yes, I know...in all too many categories, I have no "Made in the USA" options, but when I do have such an option, I generally take it, even if it costs a few cents or a few dollars more.

Why do you hate non-Americans so much that you'd rather see Chinese people starve than Americans increase the value of their workhours?

Because I AM an American...and believe that Americans are worth supporting Why the fuck should I give two shits about Chinese people? We've been "at war" with China since 1950. The front lines have just moved from the battlefield to the corporate boardroom.

 

[Fern]

We look like France's girlfriends. It's pathetic.

There is something highly effeminate and European about the uniforms.
-snip-

Agree on both counts.

Fern

 

[OCGuy]

What you want is called "racing to the bottom."

What is it called when you see all of our low-skilled jobs moving over-seas?

Or do you appreciate this cycle?

Either print our own money or borrow it from China--->Americans use that money to buy Chinese goods (Walmart), sending the money right back to China--->China continues to buy companies and property in the US with CASH.


Read the tea leaves...

 

[MovingTarget]

According to CNN, RL has said that it is too late to logistically make new uniforms in US shops and deliver to the teams. At this point, I believe them. However, RL has promised to make the outfits for the 2014 winter games in the US. Too little, too late for some of the beleagured US textile industry I'm afraid.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/14/sport/us-uniform-controversy/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

On another note, since the Olympics are such a source of national/international pride, why are we doing this through corporate sponsorship? This isn't freaking NASCAR. We should fund our athletes through tax dollars and ensure that all our equipment/uniforms/etc. are domestically sourced.

 

[ShawnD1]

Even the beloved company Apple understands this basic math.....

If only their understanding of electronics was as good as their understanding of math. Fucking iphone camera is still broken and there's a waiting list to have it fixed.

 

[Tom]

The reason they are made in China is due to liberal policy. If they were made in the USA, they would have to make $8.50+ per hour, plus paid time off, pension, matched SS and disability contributions, etc.

Fuck outsourcing, but I understand why it is done.

Yea, well the whole effing world would be slaves of imperial japan and nazi germany without those liberal policies in the usa,great britain,australia, and even the ussr.

including china.

 

[bfdd]

BoomerD, I agree with you about the supporting Americans, but at war with China? Pfft. America has a great tradition of being great allies with China, not at war. Not saying we should cave to them, but we should definitely do more to work together to benefit both of us as a whole. Rather than a select few in each nation.

 

[BoomerD]

BoomerD, I agree with you about the supporting Americans, but at war with China? Pfft. America has a great tradition of being great allies with China, not at war. Not saying we should cave to them, but we should definitely do more to work together to benefit both of us as a whole. Rather than a select few in each nation.

We fought them in Korea, and to a lesser degree, we fought them in Vietnam. Now, we fight them in everything we buy. It's turned from a war of weapons to a war of economics...and they're kicking our asses.

 

[WelshBloke]

There is something highly effeminate and European about the uniforms. When I first saw the image (on another forum with less context) I thought more along the lines of preppy high-class Briton wear, but I like yours better. They are pretty cute, though. :$

Weird, I think they look very American.


They do look very camp though, like some sort of flight attendant, cruse line steward, gay pride formal ware mashup.

 

[WelshBloke]

The reason they are made in China is due to liberal policy. If they were made in the USA, they would have to make $8.50+ per hour, plus paid time off, pension, matched SS and disability contributions, etc.

Fuck outsourcing, but I understand why it is done.

Because the hourly rate would make a real difference to the $2000 price tag? 😵

 

[OCGuy]

Because the hourly rate would make a real difference to the $2000 price tag? 😵

Cost of production is a MAJOR determining factor of price. Labor is a large part of cost of production.

 

[WelshBloke]

Cost of production is a MAJOR determining factor of price. Labor is a large part of cost of production.

So what amount of the $2000 price tag do you think went on wages and how much do you think the price would of increased if it was manufactured in the US?

 

[ShawnD1]

So what amount of the $2000 price tag do you think went on wages and how much do you think the price would of increased if it was manufactured in the US?

It would cost at least $20,000 to have those pants made in America

 

[MovingTarget]

So what amount of the $2000 price tag do you think went on wages and how much do you think the price would of increased if it was manufactured in the US?

Seriously, at that price I highly doubt labor was a serious percentage of the cost. If this were a $15 pair of jeans from Walmart, then there might be some truth to the claims of significant labor cost advantages.

 

[MovingTarget]

It would cost at least $20,000 to have those pants made in America

Thousands of unemployed/underemployed skilled textile workers across the South disagree with you.

 

[ShawnD1]

Thousands of unemployed/underemployed skilled textile workers across the South disagree with you.

They should move to China if they want a job. I refuse to pay $20,000 for pants that make me look slightly less cool than I am.