Ralph Lauren Fall 2026: A Renegade Adventure in Timeless American Style

Ralph Lauren has long been synonymous with aspirational American elegance, blending rugged individualism with refined sophistication.

For his Fall 2026 ready-to-wear collection, presented in New York on February 10, 2026, the designer transported guests into a world of adventure and rebellion. Hosted at the Jack Shainman Gallery, transformed with marble columns, a gilded ceiling, hand-painted midnight forest motifs, oriental rugs, and vintage seating upholstered in Ralph Lauren fabrics, the show embodied Lauren’s mastery of world-building.

This season, he channelled a “renegade spirit”: an adventurous woman whose style transcends time, enduring and untamed. The collection notes described this muse as a free-spirited explorer, and the runway delivered a fusion of aristocratic elegance, equine influences, and dark romanticism, echoing the current fascination with moody, windswept narratives like those in Wuthering Heights adaptations.

Lauren’s signature codes of Americana prep, polished opulence, and outdoorsy ruggedness evolved into something bolder: a celebration of mixing the unexpected, layering textures, and embracing roughness amid luxury.

The show opened with a curtain reveal, as Gigi Hadid descended a central staircase in a standout brown wool ensemble. She wore a bustier top with a subtle basque waist over a grey turtleneck, paired with a matching column skirt and a silver chain belt slung low on the hips.

Completing the look was the updated Ralph bag with wooden handles and distressed leather, while her minimal makeup and mussed hair set the tone for effortless rebellion. Celebrities, including Anne Hathaway, Morgan Spector, and Lana del Rey, attended, adding star power to the intimate venue.

Throughout the collection, Lauren balanced toughness and romance. Distressed leather met crushed velvet, Donegal tweed blazers were draped with scarves secured by glittering brooches, and floral cropped jackets paired with patinated leather barrel-leg trousers.

Equine-inspired elements appeared in jodhpur pants tucked into over-the-knee riding boots, while animal-print stoles wrapped around wool overcoats added a wild touch. For the modern adventurer, there were urbane takes on wader boots, hand-distressed leather jackets evoking Amelia Earhart’s daring, and wide-leg trousers nodding to Katharine Hepburn’s menswear swagger.

A medievalcore moment arrived with glittering “chainmail” mesh crafted into plunging dresses, slung with oversized, hand-distressed leather belts for the stylish romantic with an edge.

Velvet column dresses achieved depth through double-dyeing in brown and blue for a nuanced effect, and one brown shirt featured a striking ombré transition from shiny leather to soft suede.

Metallic skirts, shoulder-brushing earrings, and lush textures brought Old Hollywood glamour, while newsboy caps, antique floral prints, and tweedy capes fastened with brooches evoked English gentry.

The colour palette remained grounded and versatile: muted greys, blues, greens, and earthy browns, prioritising texture over bold hues.

This tactile focus highlighted Lauren’s expertise: sequined cable-knit sweaters layered over white Victorian blouses, pleated grey wool trousers tucked into socks with crystal-embellished slippers, and brooches or chain-embellished belts adding eclectic flair. These combinations encouraged personal expression, proving that prep’s appeal lies in unconventional pairings rather than rigid rules.

Unlike recent menswear presentations, such as the Milan show blending Purple Label sophistication with casual Polo energy, this womenswear outing avoided greatest-hits nostalgia.

Instead, it pushed boundaries while staying true to the brand’s DNA: the blueprint for modern preppy style that mixes high and low, opulence and outdoors. The result felt charged with energy, a call to pile on layers, mismatch textures, and inject roughness into polished wardrobes.

As the finale procession concluded, the crowd’s attention shifted to a crushed velvet blue curtain. With swelling music, Ralph Lauren himself emerged in a plaid blazer and jeans, waving to a standing ovation.

It was a poignant moment, underscoring his enduring influence—not just as a designer who revolutionised fashion, but as one who continues to inspire with collections that feel both timeless and timely.

Photo: Instagram/@ralphlauren