One of the trends I’ve been drawn to for the fall season is the vintage Ralph Lauren preppy style. It’s classic, casual, and a little whimsical. In this style guide, I’m breaking down the Ralph Lauren fall aesthetic with the essential elements, wardrobe pieces that you need to accomplish this look, and some outfit ideas. And while you could just go straight to the Ralph Lauren site and do some shopping (a girl can dream!), if you need more budget-friendly options, I’ve got you covered in this post. This would also be the perfect trend to shop on the reseller sites like eBay and The RealReal.
Ralph Lauren Fall Aesthetic Style Guide
Key Elements
There are some key style elements to this aesthetic that I’m breaking down here.
- The Ralph Lauren aesthetic is a blend of preppy, Western, and British countryside. Preppy elements include collared shirts, blazers, sweater vests, and wool trousers. Add in some Western vibes with suede jackets, brown leather belts, and denim shirts. Lastly, the British countryside comes through with the cable knit sweaters, canvas work jackets, and weatherproof rubber boots.
- Layering is key! Add a collared shirt under a sweater and maybe also add a blazer and then a scarf. If you look at the inspo images I’ve gathered above, you’ll see that every outfit is some combination of layers.
- Stick to moody, earthy tones. This aesthetic relies primarily on dark browns, navy, hunter green, and burgundy. Basically all my favorites!
- Add those accessories! Neck scarves, big chunky belts, baseball caps, a sweater over the shoulders. Don’t be stingy!
- Pick your plaid. Wear a plaid shirt with a sweater over the shoulders or a plaid blazer with a sweater vest underneath. If you’re up for, try some wool plaid pants, too!
Wardrobe Pieces You Need To Pull Off The Ralph Lauren Aesthetic
A big chunky cable knit sweater in a cream or beige – layer it over a button down or under a blazer or canvas jacket.
The classic ‘goes with everything’ pair of jeans. Bonus points if you have a pair in a 90s fit with a high rise and cheeky bottom.
A western style denim button down shirt is key to this aesthetic. Layer it under a sweater or blazer or even over a turtleneck. Vintage styles tend to be a bit more fitted but oversized ones are more trendy. Just make sure you can tuck it in without adding too much bulk at the waist.
A belt in a cognac or chocolate brown adds a little structure and polish to this style. Look for a simple one that’s a bit chunky with a gold buckle.
A thick blazer in a wool blend is essential. I’m adding this one to my fall wishlist! Sézane also does blazers so well.
I may not be able to afford everything in the Polo Ralph Lauren collection, but I can afford this baseball cap! I particularly love this hunter green one for fall.
These boots bring in more of the English country vibes than the classic Americana style that RL is known for; however, I think they pair really well with the rest of the pieces here.
A pleated wool trouser in a dark color such as brown, gray, or navy (or maybe even plaid!) is essential. Don’t be afraid to tuck these into your boots!
A classic shoe that goes well with this classic style. I would definitely wear these with socks in a gray or cream tone for warmth and comfort.
A little scarf tied at the neck is another small detail that makes this aesthetic more layered and interesting. I like this one in a classic western paisley.
A little shoulder bag in suede or leather is the perfect accessory for these layered outfits. This one is from Polo Ralph Lauren, but this one is a bit more affordable.
This barn jacket/work jacket style made with a sturdy canvas with a corduroy collar is a casual outerwear option that’s very British country. This one from Mango is really similar to this one from Polo.
Other pieces you might consider adding if you love this aesthetic is a fair isle sweater, an American flag sweater, or a plaid shirt,
Ralph Lauren Aesthetic Outfit Ideas
Here are eight outfit ideas using the pieces from above. Don’t be afraid to make these outfits your own by swapping in your favorite sneakers or adding even more layers.
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Read More:
Affordable Fall Staples From Quince
Fall Trends I’m Shopping
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