A heritage technique gets a sturdy update with wool plaids, intarsia knits, and nods to cozy cabin life.
Patchwork has taken on many forms at Polo, from preppy and coastal madras to moody, Japanese-inspired indigo pieces. “To me they were an expression of our American heritage—clothes that were authentic and had a one-of-a-kind sensibility and character,” Ralph has recalled of the technique, which also references New England quilting traditions. This season, patchwork takes its form in plaids to deliver that unique duality of rusticity and warmth that has long defined a mountain way of life. This women’s patchwork coat found inspiration in a barn jacket that first appeared in the Fall 1990 Collection, using its relaxed silhouette and telltale corduroy collar as a framework to create a charming tapestry of hardy wool plaids in barn red, hunter green, cobalt blue, and tweedy neutrals. Each coat is pieced together by hand with an exaggerated zigzag stitch. A handful of men’s pieces, meanwhile—trousers, shirts, sweaters, socks, and scarves—echo a similar patchwork theme, this time in a mélange of vintage-inspired wool plaids paired with classic buffalo check, Fair Isle snowflakes, paisley bandannas, and even the Polo Bear on skis. The sum of all its parts? That cozy, mountain lodge feeling.
One of our personal favorites, the Western-inspired jacket, is reinvented, from rustic to refined.
It was at the St. Regis hotel in midtown Manhattan, of all places, where Ralph decided to debut his Fall 1978 Collection—a landmark ode to American Westernwear. Among the pieces on the runway was a women’s jacket in tan suede fringe, worn with a blue plaid flannel shirt, pantaloons, and a rodeo belt buckle. It soon became a signature look for Ralph himself, who wore a similar jacket and a pair of jeans in the inaugural campaign for the Polo Western label the same year. The look—denim shirt, bolo tie, silver buckle, well-worn cattleman’s hat—was rooted in American history: part Native American practicality (the fringe helps repel water), part Davy Crockett buckskin, but without the caricature. “I think I understand what makes it romantic, what makes it macho, and what makes it sensitive,” Ralph said at the time. “It is a natural look compared to something that’s very fashion—something that’s sensitive and wild at the same time.” This fall, the suede fringe jacket goes back to its Polo Western roots, but with a modern twist: For women, a dropped shoulder and an oversize fit are coupled with a full-grain nappa finish in the lining for a more refined feel. For men, black and tan styles are uncomplicated, with a notch lapel and sweeps of fringe across the yoke, pockets, and sleeves—the perfect answer to creative black tie.
The bold shopper proves its status as a new icon through clever nods to Polo’s history, joining the Polo ID as a timeless classic.
For more than 50 years, the Polo shirt has been the symbol of the spirit and verve of Polo Ralph Lauren: part sporty, part preppy, entirely playful. Translating the iconic shirt’s DNA to a handbag was no small design feat, but a few key components make the connection while also referencing other Polo pieces—and, as it turns out, the utilitarian simplicity of the humble greengrocer sack with its easy-to-grab handle and generous opening. The Polo Play (above) has a U-shape scoop that also echoes a classic Polo Sport tank top (that one from the ’90s emblazoned with “USA” in navy letters) and strap handles anchored to the bag as a single piece of curved leather, each end of which is cut in the diagonal shape of a men’s necktie. The handy straps define the bag’s versatility, crisscrossing each other atop the slouch of a soft, deconstructed body, which comes in Italian leather, supple suede, or sturdy canvas. What captures the true spirit of the Polo shirt is the bag’s range of colors: bright hues that echo the palette of the season, from peppy primaries of red, cobalt, and yellow in the spring to warm, textured neutrals in the fall.It’s all a welcome addition to a collection of handbags that also includes the Polo ID (opposite), a quintessential piece inspired by the English saddle. Its crescent shape, stitching, and rich patina all channel this mainstay of equestrian life, while the traditional ID bracelet influences its signature hardware: a long, weighted brass pendant engraved with the cutout silhouette of the instantly recognizable Polo Pony. Made with sleek Italian calfskin, pebbled leather, practical canvas, exotic raffia, classic denim, or this season’s highlight, suede, the Polo ID stands out for its ubiquitous ability to channel all of Polo’s moods and dress codes.
At first glance, the fringe jacket is intimidating. Unless your name is Annie Oakley, you might wonder, how can one possibly get away with wearing something so specific, so evocative, so ... fringed?! But a reframing of the Western staple outside of its rustic roots shows that it has extraordinary versatility. Whether dressed with a suit, contrasted with sweatpants, or thrown on for a night out, it’s a staple you can wear like any other leather jacket. Here, three unexpected ways to style it.
Monochrome dressing has long dominated the style conversation—which makes it ripe for a well-considered update. For fall, it’s a palette of grey, tan, and navy, interchangeable in separates that touch on different silhouettes, weights, and textures, blending and balancing the wardrobe staples of both town and country. A tailored jacket or a pair of trousers take on a softer look with a suede coat or a pair of boots, while final touches in layered pops of color, standout handbags, and a well-placed belt show off a polished look that’s still rough around the edges in all the best ways.
It’s an essential ingredient of Ralph Lauren style, a technique that’s integral to both Ralph’s personal way of dressing and the Polo aesthetic at large, shown in everything from menswear-inspired suiting and preppy staples to coastal cool or rustic Western styles. Fall offers ample opportunities to play with layering as a look, focusing on a mix of outerwear, knits, and shirting that help make any outfit feel dynamic and finished.