Skip to main content

Velvet tailoring and outerwear are RL Purple Label’s secret weapon

Elevate your life with RLPL

Man in RLPL navy top coat
Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren is one of the most recognizable names in the entire fashion industry and one of the designers that keeps New York City on the map as a fashion mecca. After entering into the industry as a salesman and eventually designing his own ties, Lauren found himself a brand owner very quickly. After helping to create the costuming for 1974’s The Great Gatsby, starring Robert Redford, Lauren wanted to compete with the pinnacle of the fashion world, and the Purple Label was born. Using the color of royalty wasn’t unintentional, the line has used nothing but the highest quality materials and the finest craftsmanship since 1994 and they continue the trend this season. The Ralph Lauren Purple Lable fall and winter catalogue did what it always did, with some stellar standouts this year.

Using luxury to elevate the fall

Man in RLPL plaid cashmere sweater
Ralph Lauren

Every year brings with it a focus for every brand. Sometimes, it is intended; other times, it is simply what the customers respond to. This season, RL Purple Label seemed to excel at two things: outerwear, where they brought a handful of stellar pieces highlighted by the handmade plaid wool topcoat. It is a gorgeous camel color that takes inspiration from the iconic coats of pre-WWII America. The second thing they excelled at this year is the use of velvet. Not just in the usual places but specifically in their tailored garments. With matching suit sets available in navy and wine velvet, your holiday party attire is already chosen. The rest of the collection is stacked with the usual Ralph Lauren excellent refinements of sweaters, shirts, and suiting. They all come with the Purple Label price and are well worth it.

Shop Purple Label

Mark McKee
Mark is a full-time freelance writer and men's coach. He spent time as a style consultant and bespoke suit salesman before…
The best gin drinks: Our 5 favorites
The best gin cocktails for you to make at home
Gin cocktail

When it comes to spirits, there are none as unique as gin. When distilled, gin doesn’t have much flavor, save for the ingredients it’s made with. It’s not all that different from vodka. It’s the addition of juniper berries and various herbs and botanicals either in the distillation process itself (or a second distillation), through vapor infusion (the herbs and botanicals are hung in a basket in the still), or through maceration (adding the flavors to an already distilled gin) that give the gin its distinct, memorable aromas and flavors.

If you’ve ever had gin (or even sniffed it), you know the most potent ingredient is juniper berries. They are what gives gin its patented pine tree aroma and flavor. Other common ingredients include orris root, angelica root, orange peel, and licorice.
Our 5 favorite gin drinks

Read more
Give your gimlet a herbal twist with this vodka cocktail
Ghost Hill Organic Vodka

The Gimlet is one of those cocktails that is so simple and such a classic that it's easily overlooked. Whilst I lean toward a Gin Gimlet (and I have strong feelings like it should be made with fresh lime juice and sugar syrup rather than a pre-made lime cordial), you can also experiment with different spirits such as the also popular Vodka Gimlet.

The simple recipe is ripe for experimentation though, and especially when you are working with vodka, you have a lot of leeway to incorporate other ingredients to add more interest and unique personality to your drink. This recipe from Ghost Hill Organic Vodka showcases the smooth and clean notes of the spirit while also allowing space for the other ingredients to shine -- not only lime juice and simple syrup, but also the addition of sage leaves for a more herbal note.

Read more
Get ready for summer with these quick and easy tequila cocktails
Teremana Tequila

Tequila is one of those ever-popular spirits for warm weather, and though some of the most popular tequila cocktails can be a little complicated, there are also ways to make simple and delicious tequila drinks in a snap. If you're hosting friends for a casual backyard event, we've got a selection of simple cocktails from Teremana Tequila that are easy to make and sure to please.

Mana Spritz

Read more