Thank God for Ralph Lauren

[herringbonekid]

nice one Flo. i've never seen that design before. you're looking very 1920s again.

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

Thanks. Let's say late 20s and I am ok with that. ;-)

 

[flat-top]

If you should see another one pop up again please let me know!

 

[Fading Fast]

FFF - very nice cardigan - you look great in it.

 

[Benny Holiday]

My girlfriend set up the lightning to take some pictures for her shop so I took a few snaps of my RL cardigan with norfolk details. Of course the belt and straps are fully attached and not "functional" but I like the look and also the shape of the pockets.

That's a great look!

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I like that cardigan a lot. That's some proper vintage styling!

 

[Patrick Hall]

Couple of Ralph sport coats with nice vintage detailing.

First one is RRL. Beautiful herringbone cream cotton fabric, unconstructed, with a belted back. Not even a inside breast pocket. The button point is REALLY high, which is my only gripe. High waisted trousers are absolute must-wear with this sport coat.

 

[Patrick Hall]

Second one is from the short-lived Rugby line. Construction is not nearly as nice and it has modern vents, but it has a belted back, and nice pleated pockets. The fabric is a lovely linen-silk blend.

 

[Two Types]

The cream herringbone one is delightful. That's a splendid button stance. I'd happily wear that.

 

[herringbonekid]

The button point is REALLY high, which is my only gripe.

not too high at all to my eye.

 

[Fastuni]

The most accurate looking RL sportcoat I have seen so far.

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

not too high at all to my eye.

I agree. It looks really good. I think what caused the "too high" impression is the fact that the buttoning point is higher than the waist. Not unusual for 3 button jacket but perhaps for 2 button fronts?
The elevated waistline makes it look more vintage than the other sportcoat. Compare with this article

 

[herringbonekid]

new stuff from RRL's tailoring division. this is 'early 20th century inspired'. not sure which bit exactly, but could pass as 20s conservative:

these are '30s inspired':

hmm, narrow trousers with a 30s jacket ? unlikely to win much support here:

 

[Metatron]

I don't mind it at all. Not 100% to my taste, but I don't think there is anything wrong with it. And I don't expect a modern designer to go full repro either.

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

It's an attempt to look vintage inspired and modern at the same time. I think it kinda works. But of course the slim pants don't do it for me. I am not the target group since I can't afford them anyway. So let's be diplomatic and say the menswear world would look better if this was the standard.

 

[herringbonekid]

trouble is, the jacket has a high gorge which makes it look modern. the trousers are slim (and probably low waist) which makes them look modern. there's so little 30s left in the final result i don't think it's even worth calling it 30's inspired.

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

True. Some Purple label and even Polo items from the past few years looked more 30s than this. So it's not like they don't know any better.
Did you notice that the brown "30s" suit has a wonky lapel roll? Maybe the fabric is too thin for it?

 

[herringbonekid]

Did you notice that the brown "30s" suit has a wonky lapel roll? Maybe the fabric is too thin for it?

looks like they've had it fastened at the top button and it's developed a bit of a kink.

yes, Ralph's patch pocket belt backs can be pretty authentic. personally i think he should either do the 30s well or not do the 30s at all. but don't make some sort of lame compromise.
i'd rather see good totally modern suits than a vintage-compromise, because at least a purely modern suit isn't a watered down version of something better.

 

[Fastuni]

Also while the button stance is high (good) the vest has been elongated to match the low-waist trousers.
The proportions are therefore off. And just making lapels wider doesn't quite cut it.

RL has done better in the early 90's with the 30-40's inspired stuff.

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

Hm... I am not that strict. I think it's OK to play with details of both but I just wouldn't call it a "1930s suit" if it clearly isn't.

I still think they look better than the avarage totally modern suits as you call them.