The American luxury brand returned after two decades with Polo and Purple Label collections shaped by individuality and modern menswear.
After more than 20 years away from Milan’s men’s runway, Ralph Lauren returned for Fall/Winter 2026. And for this season, the show is a reminder of how wide the Ralph Lauren world really is, and how comfortably it can move between generations.
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Presented during Milan Men’s Fashion Week, the show took place inside Palazzo Ralph Lauren. The setting helped frame the collection as personal rather than theatrical. Elegant, yes, but also warm and familiar, much like the clothes themselves.
Polo Ralph Lauren came first, and the label reflected how central the line has become to the brand’s current momentum. According to CNN, Polo has found strong traction with Gen Z, helped by vintage resale culture, Ralph’s cafes across major cities, and a steady pop culture visibility.
On the runway, the pieces felt familiar and current at the same time. Rugby shirts with bold stripes, loose jeans, bright puffers, racing jackets, beanies, and baseball caps. A scarf hung out of a tote. A sweater looked casually thrown on.
That approach aligns with what the brand has shared publicly. In an interview with GQ, senior creative director John Wrazej said Ralph Lauren has long paid attention to how people interpret the clothes on their own, especially younger wearers who mix vintage Polo with modern pieces. “Whether Ralph’s in Colorado and sees an 18-year-old lift operator wearing these funky glasses, or he sees kids down in SoHo buying vintage polo and wearing it in a very eclectic way, or kids who are wearing vintage tailoring…he’s so attuned to understanding, look at how creatively that young girl or guy is putting those things together.” He shared.
For the brand’s Purple Label, the tailoring remained precise, but the fits were much relaxed. Jackets sat softer on the shoulders. Trousers had more room. Coats looked wearable and could also go beyond formal settings.
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Polo and Purple Label were presented as parts of the same wardrobe, designed to work together rather than sit in separate categories.
The front row reflected the messaging
Younger names like Noah Schnapp and Mark Lee of NCT sat alongside Tom Hiddleston, Colman Domingo, Liam Hemsworth, Nick Jonas, and Henry Golding among others. It mirrored the way the brand now reaches different audiences at the same time.
Golding told CNN that Ralph Lauren understands how to make luxury feel relaxed without losing its quality. “Watching the Ralph Lauren show I was writing my mental shopping list… for me, Ralph does something no one else does, which is dressing down luxury in a way that is tasteful.” he said.
That idea showed up consistently across the show, from casual Polo looks to refined Purple Label tailoring.
Ralph Lauren’s return to Milan also connects to what’s ahead. The city will host the 2026 Winter Olympics alongside Cortina, and the brand is once again outfitting Team USA, continuing a role it has held since 2008. Sport and American style remain central to the label’s identity.
One of the highlights of the show is Tyson Beckford’s runway appearance. A key face of Polo in the 1990s, Beckford walked in a tux paired with rugged boots and a heavy coat.
Ralph Lauren, in his own words
In notes published on the brand’s website, Ralph Lauren wrote that his career began with a tie, but his work has always been about how people live and dress. He spoke about tradition as something to build on, not something fixed in place.
When I began designing menswear, I was drawn to timeless tradition, but never bound by it. What I do lives in the many styles and moods I create. My Fall 2026 collections are inspired by the different ways men live, their individuality, and personal style. From Purple Label’s effortless elegance to Polo’s reimagined preppy spirit, they reflect the worlds I’ve lived in and believe in.”
That perspective explains why the Milan show felt so cohesive despite its range. Casual pieces and tailored looks weren’t presented as opposites. They existed side by side, the way they do in real wardrobes. A rugby shirt one day, a sharp coat the next.
Watch the full show below:
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