Today, Ralph Lauren carries luxury clothing for men and women, handbags, footwear, jewelry and home accessories. We have so many tightly defined rules about what is appropriate and manly, and what is not, that change in any direction is seen as breaking the rules and therefore polo dress shirts being unmanly, loud, foppish or simply ludicrous. Men are extremely resistant to clothing style changes in most Western cultures, although not in some Eastern cultures. Granted much of this variety is displayed by those in the music, film and show businesses.
He’s outfitted a bevy of celebrities, from Tracee Ellis Ross to Mandy Moore, for major Hollywood events, and ranked among “best dressed” lists pretty consistently throughout his career. Stand out off the court in elegant, authentic and distinctly Wimbledon styles from the women’s Polo Ralph Lauren apparel and accessories range. Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. will become the first external company in 129 years to outfit the tournament’s on-court officials, who will exchange their green polyester grass-blending jackets for smart navy blue ones. In the past, Wimbledon has done its own design of officials’ uniforms.
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.
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.
Qualifying orders that are shipped via Economy Ground to multiple addresses will receive free shipping over $99 on all shipping destinations. The total order amount after any discounts are applied must be more than $99 to qualify. Both offers exclude Gift Cards, taxes and additional shipping and handling do not count toward qualifying amount. Excluded from these offers are shipments to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam, Marshal Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Samoa and shipments to P.O. Regular shipping charges apply for 2-Business Day, Next Day, and Saturday Delivery. One thing I always find is how much more luxurious fabrics look on women.
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.
There were then two stand-out collections inspired by traditionalism – Fall and Fall 1984 . It was that search which led to collections such as Safari, and most famously, the Western collection in 1978 . The polo coat was longer, waisted, and had little pleats on the pockets .