From the Archives

The History and Legacy of Madras, the Original Statement Fabric

A Ralph Lauren staple throughout the decades, madras was born in the Indian city of Chennai (fittingly, formerly known as Madras). As early as the 1600s, Dutch and English traders were attracted to the colours and breathable nature of the region’s textiles.

Stateside, madras shirts first appeared in department stores just before 1900, and quickly became the (highly visible) choice for well-to-do travelers returning from Caribbean vacations. From its resort roots, the plaid increasingly made its way onto Ivy League campuses as a status symbol of both style and affluence, earning a spot as a preppy wardrobe must-have throughout the 1950s and ’60s.

Woven with lightweight cotton, originally by hand and with dyes that intentionally made the fabric bleed and lighten in saturation with every wash, traditional madras is prone to slight imperfections. It’s these very irregularities that are prized for their uniqueness. From a medley of earth tones to more intense colour and pattern combinations, madras offers both an eye-catching statement and a surprisingly versatile outfit option.

This season, Polo’s approach embodied a lighthearted, irreverent sensibility. Captured against the easy sun-and-surf mood of California, madras pieces paired with bright colours and relaxed styling, playfully subverting the more traditionally East Coast sensibility of days gone by.

Sneakers took the place of loafers, bright pants the place of khaki chinos. The result? A fresh approach to an old classic, fit for a new generation of madras aficionados.