Now spending my sixth December in the colonial New England town I call home, it’s impossible not to get swept up in the whimsy of the season. Historical houses and cobblestone streets become even more charming when gussied up for the holidays, urging me to do the same. Plaids, velvets, and cozy Fair Isle sweaters practically beg to be thrown into their rightful landscape, and I just had to answer the call.
When I started to see that a “Ralph Lauren Christmas” was trending on social media, it dawned on me that I, too, was subconsciously aiming to have my very own grand, traditionally festive Ralph Lauren Christmas. It’s hard for me to justify shopping for the specific purpose of holiday outfits (hence my lace tights hack!), so I took to my closet (and my husband’s) to put together some seasonal Ralph-inspired looks.
As we all know by now, micro-trends are quite fleeting, and haven’t proved to be a reason to justify any wardrobe investments. Still, it doesn’t mean we can’t rummage through our wardrobes to play along and have fun with an of-the-moment styling challenge. Like a diligent stylist, I studied a few classic Ralph Lauren ads and scoured my wardrobe for certain elements to incorporate into my looks: tartan, buffalo plaid, velvet, crisp shirting, ski sweaters, equestrian elements, and a randomly-placed shearling accessory. Put them together, and what have you got? Bibbity, bobbity… Ralph Lauren Christmas.
A Look for…Ralph Lauren Christmas Cocktails
I'm dating myself, but I’ve held onto this Luella Bartley for Target since 2006, with a hope, a wish, and a prayer that bubble hems would return. And, like clockwork, we’re back in biz, just a mere 20 years later.
The dress has no zipper, so squeezing it on over a layer was a bit of a challenge. But the tartan is excellent—a perfect base to play around with. I decided to make this one my borderline-equestrian look with tall boots, a silk bandana, and western hat. It felt like a playful look for holiday cocktails with the gals or for a rowdy house party, where flair is strongly encouraged.
As a stylist, I had a hard time drawing the line between costume or quirky, as the Ralph Lauren styling formula definitely leans “more-is-more”. But for the purpose of this exercise, I think leaning into it and maybe adding even more southwestern vibes, like big silver jewelry and long leather gloves, could drive the point home even more.
A Look for…Ralph Lauren Christmas Activities
I found inspiration for this look from a 1995 Ralph Lauren ad that featured a woman and child ice skating in cozy skirt-and-ski-sweater combos. This thick, double-layered linen Reformation skirt I found on The RealReal has proven to be a seasonless essential that works just as well in summer as it does in winter, when layered appropriately. The swooshy-ness felt fun for running around town doing some Christmas errands with a hot cocoa in hand; I paired it with an old Sacai knit sweater, my husband’s tweed blazer as a coat, and some random leather accessories, like a beret, gloves, and old-timey lace-up shearling boots.
I strongly recommend a big skirt for winter Little Women cosplay. (A great wool version would be something to look out for, too.) I wish I had knit gloves or a printed knit scarf to add that extra Ralph “extra-ness”, but I liked where I landed here. I will 100% wear it again this winter.
A Look for…Ralph Lauren Christmas Prime Time
My trusty Valentino lace tux pants met my husband’s ancient Brooks Brothers buffalo check cotton shirt with a touch of velvet in an old Frame blazer, topped with shearing trapper for the just tipping over-the-top-ness that a Ralph look commands. This classic look takes the prime spot for Christmas Eve or a more formal gathering where everyone will be putting on the ritz.
With no lack of texture and pattern-mixing, this outfit still felt effortless, and I know it will serve me well for many New England Christmas seasons to come. I’d love to add more pearls next time as my jewelry collection grows, and maybe swap the shearling hat for a silk ribbon barrette or a shearing bag if I’m going somewhere I can’t wear the hat to.
