We road-tested Dale’s renewed 1994 Lillehammer Olympic wool sweater
Photo credit: Dale of Norway
The Winter Olympics have been hosted by Norway twice - once in 1952, and then again in 1994. The 1994 Lillehammer Winter Games were notable for a few reasons… To spark your memory, key moments included:
Norwegian cross-country skier, Bjørn Daehlie (NOR) winning a triple gold and 1x silver - becoming one of the most decorated athletes of the games.
“La Bomba”, Alberto Tomba (ITA) winning a double gold in alpine skiing events, Giant Slalom and Slalom.
The unbeatable Deborah Compagnoni (ITA) winning a triple gold in Giant Slalom, Super-G and Alpine Combined.
Downhill skiing legend Franz Klammer (AUT) made his final professional appearance.
New sports were introduced, including freestyle skiing (moguls and aerials); and the adrenaline-inducing team pursuit in speed skating.
On a less savoury note, the games are also well-remembered for the Nancy Kerrigan vs. Tonya Harding drama where Tonya’s ex-husband orchestrated a surprise attack on her competitor, causing a wash of drama over the event…
Lastly, the games were seen as a symbol of a new global unity following the end of the Cold War.
But now onto the good bit.. !
Back in the day, Dale of Norway made a commemorative ‘94 Olympic Sweater. The ones that still exist now fetch a handsome fee on vintage sites, and sadly I am not one of the lucky purveyors of an original. But, gladly for the devils like me, Dale has reproduced this super sweater. Here are my thoughts on this iconic reproduction:
The Dale 1994 Lillehammer Sweater - a retro Olympic icon reinvented
Back by popular demand 30-years on, the ‘94 Lillehammer Sweater has been reproduced by Dale for a limited time run. Although I am a sucker for the heavy yarn of jumpers I pull from the back of my wardrobe each snow season, I have to admit the use of softer, thinner yarn for this new release is a nice touch.
The jumper is everything it promises to be: a classic cut with the same stylish pattern of old, cosy yet breathable for winter adventures (like only 100% wool products can be), and beautifully made in Dale’s factory just outside Bergen. Available in two refreshed colour palettes, Black Mustard Off-white (aka black and white), and Indigo Mustard Bottlegreen (aka blue and white), these classic colours never get tired.
The sweater pattern is inspired by Norse mythology and symbolism featuring (1) Frøa - the goddess of love and fertility (2) Odin riding the horse, Sleipner - the most powerful god, riding the fastest horse in the world (3) Hugin and Munin - ravens that symbolise thought and recollection, and (4) Yggdrasil - an evergreen ash tree that holds the world up.
Perfect for winter adventures, you can’t help but feel like you’re being hugged by years of Nordic heritage whilst wearing it!
RRP $330.00
Check out the Dale 1994 Lillehammer wool sweater available here.
Photo credit: Dale of Norway