In Milan, Ralph Lauren Reminds Us What Endures
Review of Ralph Lauren Fall 2026 Men’s Fashion Show
By Mackenzie Richard Zuckerman
THE COLLECTION
THE VIBE
Emotional Range, Executed with Restraint
Few designers understand their customer with the precision and poise of Ralph Lauren. For Fall 2026, the house returned to Milan with a landmark moment: its first dedicated menswear runway show in two decades. What followed was a sweeping, full-spectrum presentation that reaffirmed Lauren’s rare ability to bridge aspiration and authenticity.
Within the first ten looks alone, the house offered a portrait of modern masculinity that ranged from après-ski knits and Icelandic fisherman sweaters to outdoorsy sherpa jackets and polished cashmere coats. It was everything we know and love about Ralph Lauren—romantic, refined yet rustic, and emotionally resonant—delivered with a confidence few can match. The collection deepened as it progressed, with subtle grey plaids, precise tailoring, smart suiting, and touches of outerwear that landed with quiet strength. In the later chapters, the beauty revealed itself in the details: a well-cut trouser, a glint of hardware, a perfectly proportioned silhouette.
At a time when many designers are still defining their voice, Ralph Lauren’s remains crystalline. The lesson here isn’t about reinvention. It’s about knowing your world so intimately that you can invite others into it—and make them feel at home. And that’s exactly what Ralph accomplished in this rare Milanese outing.
THE DIRECTION
THE WRAP UP
Fall 2026 was everything we know and love about Ralph Lauren. Whimsy appeared in Fair Isle and alpine details, but never veered into novelty. The mood shifted seamlessly from rugged to refined, from off-duty romance to evening poise, and the house’s signature breadth never fractured its core. These weren’t trend-chasing flourishes – they were fluent, confident expansions of a vocabulary Lauren has honed over decades.
By the end, sharp tailoring and tonal layers brought the show to a quietly luxurious close. It didn’t need overt drama to land impact. What emerged was a reminder of the rare clarity Ralph Lauren possesses – not just in aesthetic terms, but in emotional register. And when you consider the luxury market holistically, Ralph Lauren stands as one of the most – if not the most – successful businesses in operation today. This show demonstrated exactly why: a singular point of view, executed with warmth, polish, and conviction.
If the house ever chose to dedicate a full show to RRL, it would no doubt become a standout moment in the menswear calendar. For now, its inclusion adds depth and dimension to a brand that continues to define American elegance on its own terms.
