3 min readI fell for Polo Ralph Lauren’s oversized windbreaker almost instantly. I was in Paris for Fashion Week, exhausted, jet-lagged, and in desperate need of both coffee and a croissant when I arrived at the brand’s office for a fitting ahead of its presentation. And yet, all of that faded the second I tried on this jacket in a poppy, lipstick red. Suddenly, I was fully awake—and mentally trying to figure out how to build an entire transitional wardrobe around it.
Polo Ralph Lauren Oversize Bomber Jacket
Polo Ralph Lauren Oversize Bomber Jacket
Polo Ralph Lauren Oversize Bomber Jacket
Part of the appeal is that the jacket taps into one of the defining outerwear shapes of the moment, but in a way that feels especially elevated. The fit is intentionally oversized (the brand notes that it’s meant to hit at the hip, which is worth keeping in mind when sizing), with a dropped shoulder, subtle barrel sleeve, and just enough volume through the back to create a slight cocoon effect. A double zipper and angled pockets add to the utility factor, while the structured cotton gives the whole thing a more sculptural feel.
It comes in cream, navy, and that irresistible red, which somehow manages to brighten everything around it. The red was initially exclusive to Net-a-Porter, where it promptly sold out, though it will arrive on Polo Ralph Lauren’s North American site in June.
What makes the jacket so compelling—and why it keeps selling out—is its versatility. There’s an inherent preppiness to it, but it works just as well with jeans and loafers as it does thrown over a slip dress or paired with tailored trousers. I ended up styling all three colors differently, which only confirmed what I suspected the moment I put it on: This is the kind of layer you reach for constantly.
Downtown Ease
From Top: The Row Sunglasses; Polo Ralph Lauren Oversized Cotton Windbreaker; Hanover Essential Oxford Shirt; Saman Amel Mohair Pleated Trousers; Khaite Beaded Heels, Swedish Stockings Tights; Bernard James Sunflower Diamond Gold Earrings.
From Top: Sherman Field Fine Silver Barre Cord Necklace; Silvia Furmanovich Onyx and Ruby Scarab Pendant; Vintage Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Elsa Peretti Bone Cuff; Strathberry Embossed Clutch.
Cos Relaxed Cotton Shirt
Polo Ralph Lauren
Embroidered Cotton Bomber Jacket
Oliver Peoples Maridan 62MM Round Sunglasses
The Frankie Shop
Pleated Crepe Wide-Leg Pants
Jil Sander Leather Kitten-Heel Sandals
For size reference, the red jacket I’m wearing is an extra-large, which gives it that exaggerated, voluminous shape. Since there’s already so much drama in the silhouette, I kept the rest of the look relatively pared back. A crisp white Oxford button-down shirt feels even sharper against the poppy red, especially with pleated straight-leg mohair trousers. To keep it from feeling too uptown, I added a heel, an embossed clutch, and jewelry in cooler tones. With a jacket this good, everything else works best when it plays supporting actor.
The New Preppy Way
From Top: Jacques Marie Mage Tortoise Shell Sunglasses; Polo Ralph Lauren Oversized Cotton Windbreaker, Distressed Chinos; Ralph Lauren Purple Label Piqué Polo Shirt; Nili Lotan Silk Blouse; Hermes Silk Scarf; Prada Nylon Pouch; Belgian Shoes Embossed Loafers; Ann Mashburn African Beaded Belt; Nina Runsdorf x Jalil Johnson Chandelier Earrings; Laoli Tiger Eye Single Diamond Necklace; Renato Cipullo Lapis Bocce Ring; Christian Caruso Italian Chain Link Bracelet.
Taking a page from Ralph Lauren’s own playbook, I leaned into the foundations of preppy style—broken-in chinos, embossed loafers, and plenty of layering. Underneath the jacket (this one is a medium), I wore a bubblegum pink polo over a silk blouse, which feels a bit fresher and more unexpected than a standard white shirt. The jacket practically invites color, so the accessories followed suit: orange in the silk scarf and bag, touches of blue and brown in the jewelry, and a mixed-print belt. This newer take on preppy dressing has a more-is-more sensibility, so instead of taking one thing off before leaving the house, consider adding one more.
Prada Re-Nylon Pouch
Polo Ralph Lauren
Oversized Cotton Windbreaker
Uniqlo
Polo Short Sleeve Sweater
Alex Mill
9th Street Pant
Hermes
A Toute Allure Scarf
A Seasonal Mishmash
From Top: Gap Straw Hat; Polo Ralph Lauren Oversized Cotton Windbreaker, Cashmere Turtleneck, Cropped Corduroy Trousers; Scarosso Suede Fringe Loafers; Front General Store Ribbed Cotton Socks; Hunting Season Raffia Basket; Starling Diamond Line Dome Hoops; Eliburch Nomen Pendant.
Gap
Straw Bucket Hat
Now 12% Off
Polo Ralph Lauren
Oversized Cotton Windbreaker
Jamie Haller Primm Cashmere Sweater
Paris Texas
Indiana Suede Loafers
Massimo Dutti Flowing Trousers
Spring is that final window when you can still wear your winter favorites before packing them away. Here, I mixed cashmere in the turtleneck, corduroy in the cropped pants, suede in the fringe loafers, straw in the hat, and raffia in the tote. The mix of textures keeps the outfit interesting, but because the palette stays relatively streamlined, the jacket still gets to be the focal point.
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