WAS THE NEWSLETTER #106

I’m Paige Wassel. WAS the Newsletter is your weekly dose of design inspiration, where we embrace horse girl style.

RALPH LAUREN STYLE: THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE MOODBOARD

You know how every few years we all collectively decide to “discover” Ralph Lauren interiors again? As if my man hasn’t been quietly (okay, loudly) perfecting American lifestyle branding since before anyone on Instagram was even born.

That’s because Ralph Lauren didn’t create a brand so much as he built an entire way of living.

Forty-plus years later, his interiors still slap, probably because RL Home style is less about trends and more about creating a world. He builds an aesthetic that works as well for a royal hunting lodge as it does for a family with a shedding Labrador. And somehow, it all works.

Let’s talk about why.

IT STARTED WITH A NECKTIE

Everyone begins somewhere. Ralph Lauren started in fashion designing men’s ties, long before growing into one of the world’s most recognizable design houses. In 1983, he said, “Hey, let’s do interiors too,” and the first Ralph Lauren Home collection dropped.

I feel like his longevity stems from Ralph's positing that we don’t live the same way everywhere. We live differently in a beach house than we do in a pre-war building on 5^th Avenue. Our aesthetic in the wilds of Colorado wouldn’t be the same as in the suburbs. Wherever he is, Ralph is drawn to the fantasy of the specific place. He believes that if our homes look different, the styles in each place should differ. And honestly? Respect. Because this is aspirational without being delulu.

WHAT DEFINES THE RALPH LAUREN HOME STYLE

Trying to summarize the Ralph Lauren look is like trying to explain why a horse in motion is beautiful. It’s kinda intangible, and you just know it when you see it. Maybe it’s more like you feel it.

Still, he has some signature moves:

Mix It Up. Ralph is the king of juxtaposition. He’ll pair a polished Regency chest with a beat-up Navajo rug. Then he’ll throw in leather club chairs and maybe a bit of chinoiserie. What’s bananas is that all these disparate flavors work together.

His rooms feel layered and intentional, but livable. Like, the dogs are allowed inside. I love that nothing is too precious, ya know?

Make It Luxury American Heritage. When people say “Ralph Lauren,” you automatically picture that moody palette of hunter green, navy, houndstooth, burnished brass, saddle leather, etc. And you think that because in any store that sells his clothing, he requires some of this aesthetic to be displayed along with the merch. So, when you see a vintage snowshoe at Macy’s? This is why. Whether it’s distressed wood or a battered silver loving cup, you always know when you’ve stumbled into the section where they sell Polo.

Warm It Up, Make It Livable. Even his most glamorous spaces feel warm, while his most rustic rooms still feel elevated. His style is the confluence of aspiration and approachability. (That’s hard to pull off.)

Give It Texture. The man loves a layer. I’m talking wools, tartans, suedes, shearlings, silver, dark woods, basket weaves, canvas, and the occasional crystal moment. What’s so cool is that nothing in the room falls flat because every surface has depth.

WHY WE STAN THE RL LOOK

Ralph Lauren designs a world we want to visit. His spaces are chic without being try-hard. The vibe is busy, where there’s always somewhere for your eye to land, but it’s never cluttered or chaotic. His design honors the past without feeling archaic or like Nana’s house. That’s probably because he isn’t afraid to combine eras and textures. Ultimately, he’s beloved because he creates personal spaces that tell a story.

I feel like in a #MomTok world full of bland white kitchens and basic beige living rooms, the Ralph Lauren aesthetic reminds us that homes should look collected and curated.

INCORPORATE RALPH LAUREN STYLE INTO YOUR HOME WITHOUT BUYING A HORSE

You want to invite Ralph into your space? Here’s my starter kit:

Start with the Good Stuff. Ralph Lauren style is all about longevity, so consider that as you add materials. Think wood, wool, leather, brass, linen, etc. Worn is fine, and we love a patina. But shiny, cheap, or disposable is not.

Layer, Layer, Layer. Make it cozy, not cold. Add throw blankets, sheepskin accents, Navajo-inspired textiles, striped bedding, maybe a vintage rug. Build the room gradually, but do make sure it’s not so layered that it can’t breathe.

Mix Your Aesthetics. How about a modern sofa with an antique trunk? Or a saddle-leather chair next to polished silver accents? Contrasts make your space interesting.

Equestrian? E-yes-trian. I live for a rustic bowl or a woven basket. I’m picturing an old velvet riding helmet or a brass snaffle bit on display. A stitched leather tray catch-all can be so chic. And I love a vintage horse print. (Think “hunt scene” and not “Home Goods.”) Little equestrian nods can make a huge difference.

Go Dark and Moody. Colors like hunter green, navy, tobacco brown, oxblood, and cream can evoke the specter of “Ralph” even before the furniture arrives. Like you can almost smell the wood smoke.

Objects with a Past. Ralph Lauren interiors feel collected, not purchased in one sweep of a big box store. Think family heirlooms and leather-bound books. Anything with patina or personality is key.

Design for Living. Your home should feel like an extension of who you are, not who Instagram tells you to be. That is Ralph Lauren's fundamental philosophy. Because it feels warm and layered and intentional, not like a Pinterest board exploded. Ralph gives us permission to mix the old, the new, the rustic, the glossy… without apology.

Ultimately, we love Ralph Lauren because his design always feels like someone interesting must live there. And isn’t that kind of the whole point?

DO / DON’T by Basma Alromaih

xx,
P