At some point over the past few years, the quarter-zip sweater became a signifier for the other half. Or rather, a fraction tinier still: the top one per cent. Prince Harry wore one. As did former the British prime minister, Rishi Sunak, in a move interpreted as an attempt to make him seem more accessible, until suddenly it didn’t. And this item of knitwear quickly became double bluff, a shorthand for the elite of the global elite trying to look like one of us.

Michael Rider is an American designer who cut his teeth in Paris. He worked under Nicolas Ghesquière at Balenciaga, before helping to shape CELINE’s vision during the Phoebe Philo years. From there, he was selected by Ralph Lauren himself to become the creative director at the eponymous label.

Ivy style is enjoying something of a revival. But unlike its close aesthetic cousin, prep – which famously has a handbook – there’s something more arcane about the Ivy League look. The latter was incepted at elite American colleges in the early 20th century. And much like the dining clubs and secret societies that proliferated at the same intuitions, Ivy style became a fraternity unto itself, with membership communicated through subtle sartorial signals. For instance, a natural-shouldered blazer with a three-roll-two button stance, an Oxford-cloth shirt with a perfectly frayed collar or a necktie that quietly communicates insider status.

And just like that… the season of giving has arrived. Do you already see yourself rushing around, trying to pick out last-minute gifts come December? You’re not alone. Not to sound like a broken record but being prepared helps to make the weeks – or months, rather – in the lead up to the big day that little bit easier. You never know, you might even end up enjoying the process.

At some point over the past few years, the quarter-zip sweater became a signifier for the other half. Or rather, a fraction tinier still: the top one per cent. Prince Harry wore one. As did former the British prime minister, Rishi Sunak, in a move interpreted as an attempt to make him seem more accessible, until suddenly it didn’t. And this item of knitwear quickly became double bluff, a shorthand for the elite of the global elite trying to look like one of us.

Michael Rider is an American designer who cut his teeth in Paris. He worked under Nicolas Ghesquière at Balenciaga, before helping to shape CELINE’s vision during the Phoebe Philo years. From there, he was selected by Ralph Lauren himself to become the creative director at the eponymous label.