Ralph Lauren reissued pieces from the collection, including Raekwon’s jacket, in early 2018, timed to its twenty-fifth anniversary. In honor of the company’s fiftieth anniversary, we look back at some of the most seminal Ralph Lauren moments from the past decades—from the launch of the Polo polo dress shirts shirt to that awkward elevator ride with Rachel Green. Through his various labels, existing and defunct , Lauren tapped into various parts of the American experience, from high-end suiting to modestly priced workwear. His designs were worn by First Ladies and kids in Brooklyn alike.
In the West, the variations, all of them cyclical, have to do with details that are minute, by comparison. Lapel width, placement of gorge, darts, flaps on pockets, pleats, cuffs — that’s about it. So a willingness to experiment is seen as something that breaks what is de rigueur. Perhaps this has to do with a belief that rectitude and integrity can only be reflected by clothes that are dark and sober, with little in the way of flourishes other than patterned and coloured neckwear. A central theme of Ralph Lauren womenswear has been mixing clothes in unexpected combinations.
A rollover crew neck provides a touch of extra height, while a side-split hem allows for mobility of your hips. The garment works untucked over jeans or tucked into professional pants for an office look. An affordable, curated & authenticated collection of pre-loved handbags & accessories from LXR. Adopt the style of the crocodile with our Lacoste tracksuits. Permanent Style is the UK authority on classic and luxury menswear. One of the biggest such sites in the world, it receives up to 500,000 page views a month.
One of Lauren’s most recognizable brand hallmarks originated in the early days of his company. The polo shirt—with its bold color, sharp collar, and contrast-stitch logo—was introduced in 1972, just five years after the designer went out on his own. Forty-five-plus years later, it’s still one of the most beloved pieces in the collection. 1972 marked the opening of Ralph Lauren’s store on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California, his first freestanding store. In 1972, Lauren released a short-sleeve cotton shirt in 24 colors. This design, emblazoned with the company’s famed logo—that of a polo player, created by tennis pro René Lacoste—became the brand’s signature look.
One could thus wear ‘the uniform’ if one wished but with a personal twist that would be recognised by others of your tribe. Ralph’s first collection for women was basically a straight copy of the menswear, just with different proportions and details. But I could wear that white shirt with tailored mushroom-brown trousers and polished chocolate loafers. (Or, to push the boat out, mushroom-brown shirt and white trousers.) And I wouldn’t have been inspired to do so if I hadn’t looked at these images. It helps that the clothes are so clearly influenced by Ralph’s menswear, of course.