Ensemble
Ralph Lauren · 1984
Ralph Lauren
- American sportswear
- Preppy tailoring
- Heritage references
Ralph Lauren developed a fashion house founded in 1967 into a broad vision of American style. His designs draw on sporting dress, historical wardrobes and imagined settings, combining tailored clothes with casual pieces.
Official website
Five looks to know
Collection selection
Ensemble
spring 1984
The linen ensemble coordinates a safari-style jacket and skirt; leather is also documented in the complete object record.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Collection selection
Flag sweater
fall/winter 1989–90
A cream cotton crewneck turns the American flag into a bold knit motif. The Met dates this Ralph Lauren sweater to fall/winter 1989–90, the season the brand identifies as the flag sweater’s debut. It brings casual knitwear and an idealized American identity into the Preppy chapter alongside tailored separates.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Collection selection
Santa Fe
mid 1981 · V&A collection
wool, cotton, knitted and woven, machine sewn,; leather; silver metal with turquoise.
© Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Collection selection
Ensemble
ca. 1987 · The Met collection
(a, b, d) wool; (c) cashmere.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Collection selection
Ensemble
ca. 1992 · The Met collection
(a,b) wool; (c) cotton; (d,e) synthetic fiber; (f) silk; (g,h) leather, plastic (vinyl).
The Metropolitan Museum of ArtCollections & archive pieces
2 collections represented · 2 piecesspring 1984
1 piece
fall/winter 1989–90
1 piece
Flag sweater
Ralph Lauren · fall/winter 1989–90
About Ralph Lauren
Museum ensembles show how he used fabric, accessories and coordinated styling to turn these references into a complete lifestyle narrative.