THE JOURNAL

“Would you rather be a trend or Ralph Lauren?” Jay-Z once asked in an interview with The New York Times. In other words, when all is said and done, lasting appeal will always trump viral buzz – and few know that better than New York’s foremost purveyor of classic luxury. Case in point: take a good look at the latest collection of Mr Ralph Lauren’s iconic Polo line and, yup, all those all-American and Ivy League-inspired silhouettes you’ve come to expect from the label are still around – albeit subtly updated – and won’t be going anywhere any time soon, thank you. (If it ain’t broke, etc.) Here, we’ve picked out seven such essentials that will see you through the summer into the more temperate bits of autumn – and no doubt many more years to come.
01.
The herringbone hooded jacket

Outerwear may not be at the forefront mind this season. However, when the evening chill descends or on days when the weather forecast isn’t looking so chirpy, you’ll wish it had been. Come prepared with this herringbone hooded jacket, which will sit handsomely alongside crisp summer whites and soft beiges. Best of all, it offers pockets galore so you can sashay out the house hands-free.
02.
The printed voile shirt

So, you’re keen to embrace a smattering of pattern this summer, but aren’t so confident as to go full gung-ho aloha shirt mode? Well, turns out you’re in luck, as the Polo team has cooked up this cotton-and-linen blend voile number in a seasonally apt white and blue that does busy botanical prints in the most tasteful, toned-down way.
03.
The double-breasted pinstriped blazer

The Ivy League stalwart that is the double-breasted navy blazer had shed its stuffy image of late and is in the midst of a full-blown menswear moment (throw it atop any T-shirt or vest to instantly dial up the smart factor). No better team to turn to for yours than the preppy-dressing pros at Polo, of course, who’ve added a broad pinstripe for extra detail and spun it from a silk blend for a subtle sheen.
04.
The Sullivan slim-fit jeans

Jeans. They’re the most down-to-earth, no-brainer item, the backbone of many a weekend wardrobe. And yet, finding a pair that are flattering, brilliantly made and versatile all at once can prove tricky. If in doubt, you can’t go wrong with a pair with an all-American true blues in a vintage-style dark wash, such as these slim fit (but not skinny) Sullivans.
05.
The patchwork chambray shirt

Here, Polo Ralph Lauren offers its own subtle spin on the denim shirt by way of a patchwork pattern. It boasts just enough intrigue to mark you out as a man with his own distinct sense of style, but not so much that you look like you’ve actually tried. Even better, unlike most denim shirts, it’s spun from a lightweight cotton-chambray that won’t have you getting hot under the collar off this summer.
06.
The straight-leg drawstring shorts

Cop a pair of these cotton-twill shorts and we’ll be shocked, frankly, if they aren’t glued to your legs for the rest of the season. That’s because not only are they the sort of neutral-hued, straight-cut essential that you can pair with just about anything in your wardrobe – they’re also equipped with a drawstring waist which makes them acres more comfortable than the somewhat less forgiving iterations elsewhere.
07.
The shawl-collar appliquéd cardigan

Nautical touches are all the rage come spring-summer, and that’s no less the case at Polo. And from the crow’s nest we spy this collegiate-style shawl-collar cardigan. It features an appliquéd anchor crest and is one to stash for breezy weekends by the Cape Cod coast.