Ralph Lauren isn’t just a name in fashion — it’s a cultural icon. Synonymous with classic American style, heritage craftsmanship, and aspirational living, the brand has influenced not only wardrobes but also interior design trends, including the viral Ralph Lauren Christmas aesthetic that’s redefining holiday decor in 2025. To understand how Ralph Lauren connects to mountain culture and now seasonal traditions, we must explore both the brand’s roots and its broader cultural impact.

A Legacy Founded on American Spirit

When Ralph Lauren launched his menswear label in 1967, beginning with distinctive neckties, he sparked a revolution in lifestyle branding. By embracing classic silhouettes and timeless motifs, he transformed everyday clothing into symbols of aspiration. The Polo shirt — with its iconic player logo — debuted in 1972 and quickly became a centerpiece of Polo Ralph Lauren’s identity. From there, Lauren broadened the brand’s scope, cultivating an aesthetic that blended Ivy League tailoring, Western influences, and outdoor inspiration.

Lauren’s early collections drew on landscapes as varied as polo fields and ranches, reflecting his fascination with stories of adventure and exploration. These influences became key in shaping the brand’s identity, making Ralph Lauren synonymous with both refined leisure and rugged authenticity.

Outdoor Culture Meets Classic Design

The relationship between Ralph Lauren and outdoor culture stretches back decades, aligning fashion with functional ruggedness in unexpected ways.

In the 1980s and ’90s, Lauren experimented with performance-driven designs and nostalgia-infused pieces through the Polo Sport line and its outdoor-inspired capsule collections. These pieces — including technical jackets, hiking-ready pants, and expedition-friendly layering — echoed classic outdoor gear while maintaining the brand’s elevated design language.

A memorable moment highlighting this crossover came when American climber Ed Viesturs summited Mount Everest in custom Ralph Lauren gear from the Polo Sport collection. While half in jest, his claim that he was the “best-dressed climber on Everest” underlined how Ralph Lauren could straddle the worlds of high fashion and real-world adventure.

Meanwhile, the Double RL label (named after Lauren’s Colorado ranch) channels rustic workwear, Western motifs, and heritage craftsmanship. With fabrics like waxed cotton and rugged denim, Double RL evokes the ethos of exploration and enduring style — echoing the grit of mountains and open country.

The “Ralph Lauren Christmas” Phenomenon

In 2025, a new cultural trend emerged that speaks to both nostalgia and design sensibility: Ralph Lauren Christmas. First gaining traction on TikTok and Instagram, this aesthetic isn’t merely about buying branded decorations — it’s about evoking a sensory world rooted in traditional holiday elegance. 

Described as a look that blends classic patterns like tartan, lush color palettes (deep greens, rich burgundy, navy, and warm gold), and heirloom-quality textures, Ralph Lauren Christmas decor calls to mind an East Coast lodge or timeless mountain cabin during the holidays. 

According to Rachel Davies at 1stDibs, homes styled in this aesthetic pair pine garlands, red-velvet ribbons, and plaids to create a festive yet refined holiday atmosphere. Many decorators are turning to vintage pieces or affordable finds that emulate the rich, traditional colors and textures long associated with Lauren’s design ethos. 

Industry insiders note that the trend’s rise reflects a broader cultural shift: a yearning for nostalgia and warmth in a world where minimalist Christmas decor no longer feels emotionally grounded. In contrast, the Ralph Lauren Christmas aesthetic places storytelling and layered richness center stage. 

Design Elements That Define the Aesthetic

The Ralph Lauren Christmas look rests on a few core principles:

• Heritage Color Palette: Deep greens, cranberry red, navy, and gold create an inviting sense of tradition. 

• Rich Textures: Velvet, wool, leather, and brass accents contribute both warmth and sophistication. 

• Tartan and Plaid: These patterns unify the look, whether in ribbons, throws, or table linens.

• Heirloom & Vintage Pieces: Rather than purely new purchases, many decorators mix vintage ornaments, classic figurines, and curated decor finds that feel collected over time.

This blend of classic palettes and tactile materials evokes not only the brand’s fashion heritage but also a sensibility deeply rooted in comfort and tradition — values that mirror the outdoor lifestyle’s focus on resilience and lived-in warmth.

Why This Matters for Merchants

For Shopify store owners, Ralph Lauren Christmas offers a timely opportunity to tap into a broader lifestyle trend that extends beyond clothing into seasonal home decor and gift-giving. Content that bridges fashion history, outdoor cultural narratives, and holiday aesthetics can attract audiences searching for inspiration and products that resonate with heritage, texture, and story.

Whether you sell tartan throws, brass holiday accents, or winter-ready apparel, aligning product descriptions with key concepts like timeless tradition, heritage design, and mountain-inspired warmth will help capture search traffic and seasonal buying intent.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Style and Storytelling

Ralph Lauren’s enduring influence — from mountain-ready gear to living room decor and now holiday traditions — reflects a deep cultural resonance. By uniting classic American design with rugged exploration and timeless holiday warmth, the brand continues to shape how we dress, decorate, and celebrate. For merchants and consumers alike, these aesthetics offer a compelling blend of nostalgia, quality craftsmanship, and emotional connection.

Credits & Sources

• Encyclopaedia Britannica – Ralph Lauren brand history.
• Ralph Lauren official style archives.
• Polo Sport outdoor collections overview.
• Everest climb and fashion anecdote.
• Double RL heritage inspiration.
• 1stDibs – “Here’s What Ralph Lauren Christmas Is All About.” 1stDibs
• Decorilla – Ralph Lauren Christmas design guidance. decorilla.com
• Elegance Echoes – Holiday aesthetic details. eleganceechoes.com
• Beth Bryan – Decorating ideas for the Ralph Lauren aesthetic. Beth Bryan
• Indigo & Honeycomb – Trend origins and design language. Indigo and Honeycomb COLOR LAB