The authentic and timeless world of Ralph Lauren
March 2026
RL/Men

How To Crush The Rush Hour

Spring is here—which means it’s time to elevate your weekday-commute style game.
Sporting breathable summer tweeds, lightweight outerwear, and flashes of cable-knit color, we took to the streets of New York via foot, bicycle, yellow cab, and subway to demonstrate how Polo’s newest Sophisticated Sportswear collection lets you crush your rush hour in comfort and style. (And because a guy needs time with friends before he heads home, we also made time for bivalves and a round of cold ones at the legendary Grand Central Oyster Bar.) So, wherever your nine-to-five (and your five-to-nine) takes you, follow our primer on the very best work-to-weekend styles, and how you can make each your own.
1/5
Don’t Sleep on the Loafer
There’s been much debate over what footwear to choose if you’re not required to wear a proper dress shoe into the office. But we believe that question was answered almost a century ago, when American college students started sporting a simple leather slip-on first popularized in Norway—the loafer. Whether it has the classic penny-keeper detail or the more rakish tassel, the loafer is the most versatile shoe you can grab. It fills the empty space between a lace-up and a sneaker, and it can be styled accordingly for wear with tailoring or a dressed-down, Ivy-inspired look complete with white athletic socks (a combination first made famous by Gene Kelly).
Ralph’s Coffee Ball Cap
$59.50
Maestra Tassel Suede Loafer
$548.00
Vintage Classic Jean
$198.00
The Iconic Doeskin Blazer
$1,198.00
Cotton-Blend Crew Sock 6-Pack
$34.00
Maestra Tassel Calfskin Loafer
$548.00
The Iconic Cable-Knit Cashmere Sweater
$498.00
Maestra Calfskin Penny Loafer
$548.00
2/5
Bring on the Color
After the grey days of winter, it’s natural to gravitate toward warm colors and bright pastels at the same time these tones return to nature. Color gives a pop to every look. But as is the case in the natural world, balance is key. Tailored separates and outerwear in earthy hues provide a neutral canvas for playing with a chalky pink trouser or a lilac-colored knit Polo.
Logo Canvas Medium Tote
$198.00
Maestra Tassel Calfskin Loafer
$548.00
Slim Fit Wool Twill Trouser
$298.00
Square Navigator Sunglasses
$185.00
The Iconic Classic Fit Oxford Shirt
$130.00
3/5
Knit Wit and Wisdom
Spring’s most essential accessory might just be the sweater. Hear us out—when everyone else in your office is wearing a quarter-zip, stand out with a trim cable-knit crewneck in cotton or lightweight cashmere. The neck gives you that just-slightly-different touch that says you have an eye for details. Speaking of details: A sweater is the perfect way to add a rakish shot of color. Knot it nonchalantly around your waist like the Italians do or over the shoulders like the Brits, or even left peeping out of a bag, which adds another hit of color to your overall ensemble.
Leather-Trim Suede Belt
$98.50
The Iconic Cable-Knit Cashmere Sweater
$498.00
Maestra Tassel Suede Loafer
$548.00
The Iconic Cable-Knit Cashmere Sweater
$498.00
Plaid-Accent Round Metal Sunglasses
$225.00
The Iconic Cable-Knit Cashmere Sweater
$498.00
The Iconic Cable-Knit Cashmere Sweater
$498.00
4/5
Denim, But Different
Think of white denim as the blue jean’s dressier cousin, capable of elevating a classic combination like a tan sport coat and a pink oxford shirt. It also presents a strong contrast next to navy, making it a striking part of nautical-inspired combinations beside a double-breasted linen jacket or a turtleneck sweater.
Silk Repp Club Tie
$125.00
Hampton Straight Stretch Jean
$125.00
Polo Soft Tailored Fit Linen Suit Jacket
$698.00
Heritage Round Sunglasses
$240.00
5/5
Summer Tweed
Summer tweed isn’t an oxymoron—it’s one of the things that only Ralph does best. Fabricated with either 100 percent linen or a custom-developed blend of linen, silk, and wool, richly textured Polo summer tweeds play in the same patterns and color palettes as their fall/winter equivalents, only weighted and breathable enough for warmer weather. Wear yours the same way you’d style a standard tweed, i.e., with everything from knit ties and striped shirts to ball caps and cable knits.
Knit Silk Tie
$95.00
Color Shop Round Sunglasses
$185.00
The Iconic Cable-Knit Cashmere Sweater
$498.00
Heritage Leather Tote
$598.00
Eric Twardzik is a writer with a deep reverence for things that get better with age, from tweed jackets to single-malt Scotch. He has contributed to titles including GQ, Esquire, and Condé Nast Traveler and serves as deputy editor of Wm Brown magazine. He lives in New England with his family and owns too many ties.
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