If you’re on Pinterest or around interior design trends on the internet, you’ve probably seen “Ralph Lauren Christmas” trending. I started creating this year’s Holiday collection long before I saw that pop up, but when I did, I felt so happy for anyone interested in this look — because I knew I was creating pieces that would work so well with this aesthetic! But honestly, it’s so much more than being on trend. I want to make artwork that you look forward to hanging up year after year — long after trends fizzle out. 

*However*

I think this “Ralph Lauren Christmas” aesthetic is so much more than a trend.

First of all, it's not new! The classic Americana that is the RL brand really began taking shape in the 1970s. So while this look is trending, it's not trendy... you hear what I mean? But at its heart, I think the desire to achieve this look is the easiest way to say ultimately, and collectively, that we are feeling drawn to things that have a story. We’re drawn to things that feel nostalgic and meaningful,  warm and inviting. So let’s break it down...

What it is, and the heart behind the trend 

Simply put, Ralph-Lauren styled spaces are cozy and warm, dark and moody (but with the added glow of lamps), meaningful and collected.

Ralph Lauren & his stylists mix textures and patterns to create a lived-in feel in their stores and his homes. Lots of books, curiosities, pictures, (artwork!), meaningful items all assembled in one space to create environments that feel meaningful and alive. They don’t look overly matchy, but they definitely look like they have been considered.

Visually, there are some major calling cards of a Ralph Lauren look: plaids, equestrian, leather, traditional patterns and vintage items. But I believe it’s not as much the look, but the heart that we are really craving. 

And this is why I don’t think it’s a trend — I think it’s the beginning of a call back to meaningful spaces. I think this is what we’re loving because we’ve been in a bit of mainstream era of beigeness. So to see these dark, rich colors and interiors that don’t look like they were shipped overnight from Amazon is incredibly refreshing.

What’s more, many of the images that are circulating the internet aren’t new — they aren’t photos of RL’s *newly* designed estates or spaces. The Ralph Lauren look is as timeless as it gets, and so to make choices in this direction will never be out of style. I think that is something else people are loving about this genre of decorating — it feels familiar. And when things in the world can seem hard and unknown, it only makes sense to yearn for familiarity. It’s not caving to a trend, it’s actually nurturing your soul in a way that’s primal, even. It’s making your nest feel comfy and familiar. And Ralph has given us a great guidebook on how to do that. 

The look, in a nutshell

The good news is: it’s really the accessories that can make any home look like the RL aesthetic, and most if it can be super cost effective or thrifted (my personal fave!). This is the time to lean into super traditional Christmas colors – red, burgundy, emerald and forest green, navy, and then accent with silver, gold, and warm browns. As far as patterns, it’s plaid all the way!

To soften the look, finish with flowers and a touch of blue and white china if that’s accessible for you. To add a masculine touch, look to hunting influences — taxidermy, antlers, feathers and other natural elements. Pick some pinecones, throw them in a silver bowl from goodwill, and you’re halfway there! (In fact, foraging is your best friend in this aesthetic — grab branches or pine clippings to fill your vessels with and your space will instantly feel organic and warm.)

For art, choose:

• Anything in the palettes of red, deep green, navy, cream, and earthy tones. 

• You’re mostly going to want figurative art — pictures and paintings of things — nature, landscapes, vintage, portraits all make great options. Also, horses. See my Ralph Lauren Inspired collection, here. For a great centerpiece to your home, the wreath painting is my favorite — it would look stunning over a mantle, bed, or buffet. 

• But ultimately, chose the art you like! In my opinion, any art can be made into a Ralph Lauren Inspired statement piece by hanging it with a big plaid ribbon and bow. Pick up a roll by the holiday  gift wrap at your local craft store and use the leftover to wrap gifts!

• Another tip — I love adding a colored mat to any art print to make it feel richer and more bespoke. To do this, I just go to Hobby lobby and pick from their existing large sheets of mat board — they always have classic colors like reds, navys, greens and creams in stock. Just bring in your frame and print and they will cut the mat to size! (They will also install a wire hanging kit on the back and a nice dust cover for extra charge. This is an inexpensive way to make any art print look more elevated and easy to hang)..

Ribboned Wreath // Buddy Silhouette // The Earth Stood Still Earth & Snow Duo // Fox Hunt & Equestrian and Her Darlings

 

Here are some easy accessories to style to any room to give it the RL look:

• A plaid throw blanket (or two)

• Lots of cozy pillows - mix tartan with velvety, deep tones 

• Blue and white china 

• Pictures and art! Layer it all in! (Groupings of family photos are also lovely). 

• A nice wooden tray or dark marble vessel to hold your foraged curiosities  

• Make sure the lighting is soft — glowy candles and lamps. Warm & Cozy my favorite candle for winter – it's still moody, but got pine in it, which makes it feel like grown-up-christmasy! It's a best seller, and you can find more great candles in the LL Christmas Mercantile.

• On that note — Christmas is the time to shop your house! Focus on styling one room like this if that feels most attainable to you! Because this is definitely a maximal look – don’t be afraid to layer layer layer!

Some things I loved thrifting for this look:

Ralph Lauren himself loved using secondhand thrifted and inexpensive items. Contrary to popular belief, this brand was not about luxury at its heart. It was about what felt good and felt meaningful.

• Plaid furniture (marketplace!) and throws

• An oriental rug

• Trophies & vessels  

• Books! Lots of books! The bigger the better. Take off dust jackets to (usually) showcase the pretty, solid color cover. A big set of encyclopedia on a shelf would be an impactful look and there are usually lots to choose from on Marketplace.

• Mixing metals, especially old ones. Silver, Brass…

• If you’re hosting a meal, thrift stores are my favorite place to source dinner and desert plates and tableware! They even have Christmas patterns, but any china, plaid, or deep colored plates will work and look great layered with some cloth napkins.

• Not thrifted, but free – look for botanicals and equestrian themes in artwork and knick nacks. 

• A silver bowl with oranges in it would look perfectly festive, and inexpensive! (Add cloves for extra credit!)

While I thrifted a lot, there are some things I did find on Amazon for this aesthetic — 

 

01 - Gold Urn // 02 - Carnations // 03 - Amaryllis // 04 - Bronze Horse // 05 - Black Horse // 06 - Black Trays // 07 - Burn Wood Box // 08 - Holiday Dress // 09 - Plaid Napkins

(Caution — use Amazon sparingly here! If you buy everything from one place, it won’t feel like a stories space collected space over time! So keep in mind that’s the goal.)

However, a few of these items packed a big punch in my styling —

• Gold urn loved this with these carnations (I got two bundles of the red and they look real when you don’t see the stem! They were kind of pricey, but I will bring these out every year).

• I thought this amaryllis was a great find! It comes with the pot and would make a great gift.

• This horse or this one  - so cute on a stack of books!

• And look, I can’t convince you that this is a Ralph Lauren style tray, but I have it and I love it and I think it will add like a little quirky vibe. 

• This burn wood box is perfect (keep your little remotes and lighters for candles in it!)

• For your holiday party — I’m still waiting for this dress to come in, but I’m excited! I’ll put it with a cardigan but happy that it doesn’t have sleeves for when I’m cooking and getting hot and peri-menopausal.

• These plaid cloth napkins, with your thrifted china will be so cute!

And if you need a little treat — HomeGoods is a great place to get inexpensive, blue and white ginger jars and big coffee table books.

But purchase your art from Lindsay Letters before you blow your budget at HomeGoods, mkayy?

And WARNING and another tip — go into the thrift store and HomeGoods with these reference photos accessible to you! Screenshot them and put them on your phone. Speaking from experience, if you go in without a plan, you’re liable to get overwhelmed, lose track of the mission and end up bringing home a pink glitter reindeer. (Unless that’s the look you’re going for, and in that case, I am sorry you’ve read this far in this blog post).

At any rate, stores like HomeGoods are meant to get your dopamine receptors all wonky so that you start to make bad choices and just buy everything. Likewise, if you go into Goodwill without a plan, I promise you won’t find anything. Keep reference photos handy, stay dialed in, and think of it like a secret mission. This is not “shopping,” this is hunting. Be patient. It will be worth it. 

Here’s what you should probably omit from your decor this year if you’re going for this look:

• Pinks, pastels

• Other than the classic Ralph Lauren teddy bear, it’s a really grown-up look. That doesn’t mean it’s not kid-friendly! But I would probably remove any Christmas elements that feel like toys (other than nutcrackers!)

That’s a lot of info, but here’s where I’d put my focus on —

1. Of course, I would find a great piece of art, hanging it with plaid ribbon or big red ribbon, and add few plaid pillows and throws. 

2. Use these reference photos then shop and edit your home. Put away what doesn’t feel in alignment, and borrow from other areas of the house. Then go foraging outside and see what you can find!

3. Thrift the layering over time — the good news is, this look is great and cozy all winter long!

Ginger Jar Folk Art // Oranges Folk Art // Folk Art Dove // Carolina Parakeets

And remember — I would never encourage you to focus on a trend instead of what you love. I just want to remind you that if you love this look it’s because you’re craving something deeper - that is worth paying attention to. However, at the end of the day, always style with what you like. It’s your space and it’s meant to serve you!

Happy styling!!

xo, Lindsay