Ralph Lauren’s Victorian rock ’n’ roll at New York Fashion Week

The boldest fashion statement on the Ralph Lauren runway wasn’t the menswear-inspired preppy looks in soothing shades of latte (billowing wool pants, cashmere cardigans and elegant blazers) that opened the show, nor was it the rock ’n’ roll Victorian second half with giant ruffled collars and striking metallic jacquards, or even the statement-making evening wear (an exquisite black velvet jumpsuit with an open back that could stop traffic, and we wouldn’t be surprised if the liquid latex-like gold gown that closed the show ends up on the Oscar red carpet). But what generated the most buzz was the clothes on the man himself. Lauren took his bow in rugged jeans and a tweed blazer with worn-out, ripped-up elbow patches. So chic in its new incarnation that mending would be a sin. Sign us up.