The big question this summer: how to stay polished while dressing for warmer temperatures? Because the season brings with it a host of social and sporting events that you need to look the part for. Of all of them, though, there are few as synonymous with style as Wimbledon. From strawberries and cream to the famous all-white dress code, the Championships remain steeped in ritual and tradition. And for the past two decades, Ralph Lauren has served as the tournament’s official outfitter. The all-American designer has dressed everyone from ball kids to umpires in tailored uniforms that reflect the event’s distinctly British sense of elegance. So there really isn’t a better place to start.

The brand and the tournament come from different places, but the collaboration itself feels natural. Both are built on heritage, longevity and a sense of understated refinement. As Wimbledon arrives each summer, the Ralph Lauren look – lightweight tailoring, crisp shirts and cable-knit sweaters – feels especially suited to SW19’s smart-casual standard.

It’s no surprise that the brand’s recent Wimbledon capsule has further strengthened this connection, offering elevated pieces that capture the spirit of classic country club style. Think rugby shirts, polos, cotton knits and track jackets that take you effortlessly from Centre Court to city weekends and summer holidays.

“When it comes to staple pieces, no one caters to your wardrobe better than Ralph Lauren and Polo Ralph Lauren, in particular, ticks many of the boxes,” says Kit Swann, MR PORTER’s Fashion Editor. As for what to wear for a spot of spectating? “A classic polo shirt from Polo Ralph Lauren should be a go-to choice. It’s more elevated than a crew-neck T-shirt yet not as formal as a shirt, making it the obvious option.”

Long before the rise of athleisure, Ralph Lauren understood the appeal of borrowing from sport. Tennis polos, cricket jumpers and chinos became everyday essentials under the brand’s distinctly American lens, helping to define what we now recognise as preppy style.

Originally associated with Ivy League campuses in the 1950s and 1960s, the aesthetic has seen a significant revival in recent seasons. Oxford shirts, penny loafers, striped ties and collegiate knitwear have re-emerged as modern wardrobe staples, driven by a broader appreciation for classic menswear and clothes that feel both aspirational and effortless.

Today, the brand’s polished-meets-preppy pieces – linen shirts, logo sweatshirts and tennis-inspired polos – embody a relaxed sophistication that feels especially appropriate during the summer months. They nod to the sporting heritage of tennis while remaining versatile enough for everyday wear.

“Other everyday staples worth considering from Ralph Lauren include cotton checked shirts, flat-front chino shorts and cable-knit jumpers,” Swann says. “Polo Ralph Lauren is ideal for more accessible pieces, while Purple Label offers an added touch of luxury. For something with a more rugged, edgy – and perhaps rebellious – feel, RRL is the perfect choice.”

An extensive archive and years of references allow the brand to revisit familiar silhouettes while making them feel contemporary – a cable knit worn over a T-shirt, a striped rugby shirt paired with relaxed chinos or a navy blazer layered with denim. In a season when many men are assessing their approach to summer style, Ralph Lauren offers something relevant: clothes with history that still feel modern.