Expiration Date

Written by Olivia Flanz

Art by Izzy Maher

Back in February, New York’s Jack Shainman Gallery was decked out in hand-painted scenic murals, rich velvet curtains, vintage rugs, and animal print furnishing. The decor gave a preview of what was to come.

As the lights dimmed and awoke, Gigi Hadid strutted onto the runway with the first look: a bouclé tweed corset on top of a turtleneck, with a tailored skirt, delicate chain belt, and boots. The outfit set the tone for the rest of the show, which included neutral colors, layered pieces in an array of textures, and intricate embroidery.

The collection was cohesive, all outfits have a similar tone—romantic with an edge—and heroic silhouettes that are richly diverse, yet can stand on their own. The show demonstrated its use of fabric choices, from leather to tweed to wool to velvet to chain links, creating appealing combinations of dimensions. While rustic, the styles could easily be found in the modern day. The pieces in Ralph Lauren’s Fall/Winter 2026 collection aren’t screaming at you to look at them, with no bright colors or extremes of any sort. The outfits don’t beg for attention, but earn it, and that quietness adds to their allure.

In the comment sections of videos from the show, it is clear that many share a similar sentiment to mine:

@usa-girl911: “Ralph Lauren is one of the only designers where I can watch the fashion show and actually see myself wearing a lot of the looks.”

@vickiweber4718: “RL always knows how to create timeless style.”

@ToniMg4u: “Ladies…a designer has one goal…to make WEARABLE clothes that elevate you and make you feel beautiful and gorgeous. RL does NOT disappoint.”

Overall, the collection was held in high regard. The assortment of outfits has been labeled as “wearable,” “classic,” and of course, “timeless.” In a time where the trend cycle has been moving at a record pace, the Ralph Lauren Fall/Winter 2026 collection takes a step away from it all. Nothing about it is specifically groundbreaking or new, but regardless, the collection is a hit. In a time where every fashion trend has an expiration date, Ralph Lauren didn’t go for one-week sensations, but an arrangement that will be remembered long after this year is over. How is this “timelessness” obtained? What makes an outfit timeless without being boring? When every effort of creativity has a timeline, how does one expand its length?

By the second model, it was obvious what the color palette was for the show: neutral, brown, camel, and beige tones dominated every look, creating a cohesive aesthetic across the collection. When you hear that a color palette is neutral toned, for many it can seem like a limitation. Trends today often rely on at least one, or many, statement pieces with bright colors often begging for attention. In regard to Ralph Lauren’s collection, choosing to limit the color palette to earthy tones created more room for creativity when it comes to texturization and the versatility of pieces.

Not one of the looks were the same, regardless of the fact that

the palette was limited. Yes, brown tones dominated each piece, but the range of neutral brown tones was evident in how they used both warm and cold undertones, adding a different air to each piece. This could be seen in one particular look where the model wore a grayish blazer with a warm fawn-brown coat. Fur bursted from the lining of the coat, the brownish green fur gave an almost metallic look due to its color and texture.

The silhouettes of the looks made each one stand out individually. Gigi Hadid’s silhouette was almost body-con, but then others, like the long fawn-brown coat, gave an a-line silhouette. Another look had a dark velvet turtleneck, a light brown blazer with an inverted stitching pattern, flowing silk muralistic pants held by leather belts, and hide boots. The look introduces a column silhouette—a straight, narrow outline that purposely elongates the model.

Statement pieces were seen in the texture and pattern of the garments throughout the show. Numerous outfits had pieces that gave a mural or painted illusion. This not only fit the romantic and earthy branding of the entire show, but also made the outfits stand out from any other basic blazer sets.. It added a level of sophistication and elegance—which could also be seen in the animal print, worn leather, and velvety fabrics frequented throughout the show.

As I said before, nothing in the show was groundbreaking, but I don’t mean that as demeaning or as criticism. As a society, I think when it comes to fashion, we are feeling fatigue from designers trying to scream “different,” when in reality, that not only takes away from the craftsmanship and wearability of the look, but also ends up looking like the same fast fashion slop we see everywhere else.

What the Ralph Lauren 2026 Fall/Winter collection did was dig into the roots of what makes a charming collection, literally and figuratively, with its patterns, texturization, and overall earthy, romantic branding. Timelessness isn’t boring quarter zips or “old money luxury,” but arranging pieces together that both make sense, and feel purposeful—in both versatility and artistic choice. YM