Invest: Ralph Lauren Purple Label Shearling Coat
Unless you’re fortunate, wise and lucky enough to have escaped the chill by way of a warmer climate, we in London have completely skipped autumn and are now in the midst of a harsh and bitter winter. Brilliant. I for one have been cruelly subjected to it, and find myself reminded that I am in need of a proper winter coat. This is simply because warm and soft outerwear is a must — a needed means of seasonal survival, if you like. So look no further than this utterly rakish Arbury shearling coat by Ralph Lauren Purple Label, which will keep you nice and toasty in fine style from your neck down to your knees.
Ralph Lauren’s most luxurious and apogee-defining line, Purple Label’s Autumn/Winter '16 collection is textural and rich, and represents a wardrobe capable of transitioning between mid-Western country ranch to New York’s metropolis with ease. A stunning example of this all-American aesthetic is this shearling coat which lies in between the two; suitable for either environment whilst simultaneously acting as a serious head-turner. The purely refined yet masculine and rugged construction, from exceptional quality of materials, is naturally to be expected of Purple Label, and results in a key investment piece for the season. And whilst we at The Rake tend not to conform to trends, shearling is seemingly ‘in’, although any Rake who knows his outerwear will also know that it has never been ‘out’. Reaching back as far as Classic Hollywood and beyond - with icons such as James Dean and Marlon Brando elevating the fabric into extreme sartorial realms - the effortlessly louche tan shearling coat will simply always remain a classic.
Made in Italy and largely constructed by hand, this double-breasted coat is made from pure lamb shearling with leather trim. Whilst it is a luxurious material, shearling demands to be worn in a manner that doesn't require precious tiptoeing around. Depending on whether you wish to wear a suit or blazer underneath you’d need to size up, otherwise stick to your guns. A wonderful quality in a statement coat such as this, is that it’s easily wearable with just about anything; the real statement here is the fine shearling that softly rests on your shoulders. Fastened round the waist with a removable belt, which lends a touch of shape to coat, it looks as good done up or left draped open, revealing your perfectly styled ensemble beneath.
£6,665.00, www.mrporter.com.
