The Olympics are back, and so is Polo Ralph Lauren with a line of clothing specially designed to outfit the American team in Vancouver. As with the Beijing Olympics collection in 2008 (which Jared Paul Stern wrote about here), the clothing is available to the public -- both the village wear which will be supplied to all the American athletes and the official Closing Ceremony Parade outfits. Don't they look strapping?

Polo Ralph Lauren's Olympics website includes a "Create Your Own" collection. You select your colors, add your name or the flag of your choice and make further customizations with embroidery and monogramming. It might not make anyone believe you're heading for the Olympics in less than two months, but at least you'll look good.

Visit the website to shop for the US Olympic Collection, and look below for our favorite, recommended styles. Patriotism never looked so fetching.

Market research firm Synovate surveyed 8,100 people in Brazil, Canada, France, Hong Kong, India, Netherlands, Spain, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, Britain and the United States about luxury and what it means. Over a third of the respondents defined it as "everything above what is necessary." That's recession mentality if we've ever heard it.

Being frugal is a virtue to some. Perhaps that's why over half of the 72 percent of Britons (66 percent of women!) who say they treat themselves to luxury report feeling bad about it. "It's a classic case of British guilt. It's seen as much more acceptable to buy something 'needed' for the home than it is to indulge yourself in any way," says Jill Telford, Synovate's CEO for the UK. The survey showed a similar majority in the US.

If you don't feel guilty about luxury purchases, you're thinking more along the lines of the Indians, Dutch and Brazilians, of whom the majority feel just fine with spoiling themselves a bit, thank you very much (or perhaps you're a man; men showed far less guilt than women worldwide).

Check out more of Synovate's luxury research here.

[via Reuters]

We recently stopped by the Versace showroom to check out their Pre-Fall 2010 collection. The press preview showcased Donatella's personal favorites, one of which was the above mullet skirt.

In all fairness, they didn't call it a mullet skirt; we did, after immediately noticing that a person wearing this would be essentially sporting "business on the right, party on the left." Could this be a new trend for 2010? It takes asymmetry to a whole new level. Not only is the left side (when worn; it's on the right above) a brightly colored archival Versace print styled with a Japanese tecno-pop inspiration (as is much of the collection), but it's shorter.

With this skirt, you could do entirely different right and left side outfits like Prince in that early 90s music video where from one side he's a man, and from the other side he's woman in a dress. Only kidding -- we find this very filmic, though. Imagine the heroine shown first from the left, then she turns and kapow! Not so square anymore. We love a garment that tells a story.

Check out more asymmetrical looks (and the professional shot of the skirt) from the Versace Pre-Fall 2010 collection below.

Scheyden, a sunglasses brand well-known in the aviation and auto industries, has a fabulous new eyewear model: The Scheyden Hybrid. The Hybrids come in three styles (two are pictured; the Revelstoke above and Jet-A below) and in tortoise-shell (shown) or black colors.

Scheyden Hybrids are composed of cedar rolled composite frames with hypoallergenic NiHg temples to prevent irritation and cloisonne tips (how luxe).

The advanced technology of Scheyden Precision Eyewear is the "preferred choice" of the US Air Force Thunderbirds and Redbull Air Racing pilot Pete McLeod. The reason? To start with, the lenses have hydrophobic coating to repel water (including perspiration), the silver dioxide reduces light refraction, they offer 100 percent UVA and UVB protection, optional polarization, and, most importantly, magnesium hexaflouride coating reduces glare and reflection, keeping your vision clear and you on your game. The titanium in the frames is lightweight and won't corrode or warp.

In other words, if your dad/husband/friend is into flying, fishing, boating or anything that requires him to be in the sun, you've just found his holiday or birthday present. Scheydens retail for $249 to $445.

All the holiday madness and rushing around may have you thinking ahead to your next vacation. If you're looking to spoil yourself (or a fabulous gal you know) with a holiday gift that goes well with a plane ticket to somewhere sunny, Brette Sandler's swimwear collection may be just what you need.

In the gallery below, you can preview the collection, which is rolling out piece by piece on Shopbop.com with prices in the $100 to $300 range.

If you haven't heard of Brette Sandler, she's a young designer with a bright future. When she graduated from Parsons School of Design, her senior thesis was a swimwear collection which immediately grabbed the attention of Barneys and Searle, and she went on to a two-year internship at Michael Kors. Her first collection was released in 2005, and now her suits are sold in Bloomingdale's, Intermix, specialty boutiques across America and of course Barneys.

We aren't sure we always agree with her choice of pattens, but we love the innovative, artistic, sexy shapes, and can't wait to see more from Brette Sandler!

Welcome to one of our sexiest giveaways ever: $100 in Calvin Klein lingerie! The lovely Eva Mendes is wearing underthings from the Calvin Klein Underwear Perfectly Fit collection, which is a foxy range of comfortable, attractive bras and panties that won't show under clothes.

The features of the Perfectly Fit collection include subtly plush straps, line-free necklines and cushioned closures. That said, you can use your $100 on whatever you please, from sensible boxer briefs for men to lacy, provocative sleepwear for women.

At the moment, CKU.com has sales which include $12.99 bras and three panties for $24 -- and as luck would have it, we've got an exclusive promo code: CKUBLOG1 will get you $10 off every $50 you spend online until December 31st.
Happy Holidays to you from Luxist. Leave us a comment about what you'd buy with your $100 gift card to enter the giveaway!

To enter to win the Calvin Klein Underwear gift card, leave your comment by December 26.at 7 p.m. ET. See additional rules below.

* To enter, leave a confirmed comment below.
* The comment must be left and confirmed before December 26 at 7 p.m. ET.
* You may only enter once.
* One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
* One winner will receive a $100 gift code, redeemable on CKU.com.
* Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, and the District of Columbia, who are 18 and older.

***This Giveaway is now closed. The winner will be notified the week of 12/28.***

See full giveaway rules here.

The Christian Louboutin Satin Clutch is like a handbag wearing a one-shoulder dress.

If you're heading to any holiday events in satin this year, pick up this little bag, which achieves an unprecedented asymmetrical elegance. The bag is so perfectly designed that even with its unusual shape, it appears demure and simple; no feathers or big jewels on the left detail. We feel relieved to see a Christian Louboutin clutch without that high heeled kiss lock closure -- we loved it at first, but we're tired.

This sophisticated Italian bag is lined in silk and will fit all your bare essentials at 10½"W X 4"H X 1"D. No cheating with this purse; there's no hidden chain. This is a clutch you could carry for years to come, and eventually pass down to your children.

The Christian Louboutin Satin Clutch is available from Saks Fifth Avenue for $795.00.

The new Tiffany Charms sunglasses are classic and chic with an oversized design that calls Audrey Hepburn to mind, and they come with a little something extra charming: actual charms.

True purists can get them in black and Tiffany blue, but we love the double laminated violet and candy pink combo above (rich brown with red is also available). Lenses are available in gray or brown and violet gradient. The charms include a heart, the letter "T" and the Tiffany & Co. logo. First bracelets, then necklaces (in the 80s), and now you'll find charms on everything from your cell phone to your handbag. To purchase a pair of these fanciful, chichi shades, visit ILORI ($320).

The BCBGMAXAZRIA Ruffled Leather Clutch is a kicky little purse you can dress up or down.

This purse screams holiday spirit in its cheery shade of Hollyberry -- it's the kind of purse you'll want to match your lipstick to, and maybe your nails, as well. We love the twisted metal strap and could see this looking gorgeous with most of this season's dark jewel-colored, spangly holiday dresses and furs.

The bag is a respectable size; 9"W X 7½"H X 1"D, and features uneven cut leather ruffles and a pretty nickeltone round logo plate. You could seriously take this everywhere, from the dance floor to the dinner table, from the gala to the grocery store. Covet.

The BCBGMAXAZRIA Ruffled Leather Clutch is available from Saks Fifth Avenue for $258.00.

The Marc Jacobs Little Stam Studded Satchel is a fabulous jolt to your wardrobe in black or this warm shade of pink.

The Studded Satchel has a rich texture in creamy quilted Italian leather with goldtone studs and hardware. We love the antique clutch shape -- made large in this iteration -- which makes the bag appropriate for both vintage and modern ensembles.

The bag is 8 1/2"H x 12"W x 2"D with a long leather strap; perfect for an entire day of shopping or a dinner-and-theater night. The studs keep its quaint design in check.

The Marc Jacobs Little Stam Studded Satchel is available from Neiman Marcus for $995.00.