Polo Ralph Lauren Polo Ralph Lauren Tartan Plaid Brushed Wool Alpaca Twill Sporting Jacket

There are jackets made for weather. Then there are jackets that make you rather hope the weather turns. This one, cut from richly brushed wool/alpaca blend twill in a deep Highland tartan of forest green, oxblood, charcoal and old-gold is both. The surface has that slightly softened, almost blanket-like nap that only makes plaid look better. Ralph took the bones of an old sporting jacket, gave it the swagger of a Scottish shooting coat, then sent it downtown. The silhouette is relaxed but beautifully shaped: classic collar, leather throat latch, zip front, tabbed cuffs, rear inset waist and discreet vent grommets. Two waist pockets plus magnificent gusseted double hip pockets, built with the sort of unapologetic utility once intended for cartridges, gloves, maps and whatever else a gentleman might require before lunch at the lodge. Across the lower back, a full-width snap-access game pocket adds an authentic bit of sporting provenance and wonderfully eccentric utility. But this is Ralph Lauren, so rugged never means rough. Notice the leather zipper pulls, aged-look hardware, substantial woolen hand and beautifully muted tartan. It feels collected rather than purchased. Wear it over a shawl-collar sweater and faded denim, as shown, with cords and brogues, or over a shirt and tie when ordinary tailoring feels terribly predictable. Gently worn, no signs. Sporting heritage, old-world texture, Ivy irreverence and just enough English-country to arrive by Land Rover.