Polo Ralph Lauren has launched the Back to School collection for 2024 featuring preppy classics including cricket sweaters, tweed blazers, repp ties, rugby shirts, cardigans, and kilts. The collection includes timeless patterns such as Fair Isle, herringbone, and tartan. The photos and videos for the collection were taken at the beautiful campus of St. Andrew’s School, an Episcopal school in Delaware. The movie Dead Poets Society was filmed here.
This is the second year in a row that Polo Ralph Lauren has visited the campus of an Episcopal boarding school. Last year, the Back to School campaign was photographed at St. George’s School, a picturesque school in Rhode Island. Kiel James Patrick and his son Harry were part of the video for last year’s Polo campaign.
I used to work at St. Andrew’s. It is indeed a beautiful campus – I’d argue one of the three most beautiful boarding school campuses in the country. I couldn’t count the times I walked through the cloisters (seen in the background of many of the photos above).
If any of you ever visit the campus, be sure to look for the photo collection for the filming of Dead Poets Society in the admission hallway adjacent the Headmaster’s office. There’s also a beautiful Wyeth in the dining hall that’s worth the visit on its own.
Ryan, agreed completely about the beauty of the St. Andrew’s School campus. I would add St. George’s School to a top three list. Which other boarding schools campuses would make your list? – Matthew
For me, I’d have to say it’s St. Paul’s in New Hampshire. I have a predilection for Gothic revival, and all three of these schools tend to favor the style in many of their buildings.
That said, there are a lot of beautiful campuses out there. I’d be interested to know if others have schools they put in their top three.
Now that’s preppy! I tend to like the Uncle Ralph look upon occasion. A crested and striped tie on a U-stripe shirt of a contrasting/complementary? color, under a navy blazer, for example. Tweed, or even Melton might be even better…if one could find a good piece.
There has clearly been some progress. Girls in school always was a great idea. The Fair Isle is far better than another large animal on the front of a PRL top.
I concur with H-U above. Also, it is nice to see the models smiling, in previous catalog imagery they all looked like they just learned they flunked the finals.
RRL/Double RL is the gem — rustic, homespun, tweedy, mountain-and-fields (as opposed to coastal), the many nods to vintage. Like the best of Episcopal parishes.
I agree with S.E. that RRL is a gem. Even so, we miners have to sift through tons of crude ore to find the nuggets. Much of the line is just a little bit “outside”. Much more comes from the “pre-distress” assembly line. Easy to look at, less so to wear (for me anyway).
The “one-rinse”denim offerings in various fits and cuts make for a great assortment of natural to-be-faded jeans. They pair well with their plain white T-shirts. The tooled belts make tasty frosting for this well- baked Western cake.
Polo made middle age enjoyable, RRL makes growing old fun! Uncle Ralph is indeed wild and crazy. Best if taken with a grain of salt.
If only the children (and most teachers) in our son’s suburban school district looked as presentable.
Kind Regards,
H-U
I used to work at St. Andrew’s. It is indeed a beautiful campus – I’d argue one of the three most beautiful boarding school campuses in the country. I couldn’t count the times I walked through the cloisters (seen in the background of many of the photos above).
If any of you ever visit the campus, be sure to look for the photo collection for the filming of Dead Poets Society in the admission hallway adjacent the Headmaster’s office. There’s also a beautiful Wyeth in the dining hall that’s worth the visit on its own.
Ryan, agreed completely about the beauty of the St. Andrew’s School campus. I would add St. George’s School to a top three list. Which other boarding schools campuses would make your list? – Matthew
For me, I’d have to say it’s St. Paul’s in New Hampshire. I have a predilection for Gothic revival, and all three of these schools tend to favor the style in many of their buildings.
That said, there are a lot of beautiful campuses out there. I’d be interested to know if others have schools they put in their top three.
I agree completely about Gothic Revival architecture. My top boarding school campuses, in no particular order, would be:
Groton School
St. Andrew’s School
St. George’s School
St. Paul’s School
That, St. Paul’s, certainly is a beautiful campus. Wow.
Now that’s preppy! I tend to like the Uncle Ralph look upon occasion. A crested and striped tie on a U-stripe shirt of a contrasting/complementary? color, under a navy blazer, for example. Tweed, or even Melton might be even better…if one could find a good piece.
There has clearly been some progress. Girls in school always was a great idea. The Fair Isle is far better than another large animal on the front of a PRL top.
I concur with H-U above. Also, it is nice to see the models smiling, in previous catalog imagery they all looked like they just learned they flunked the finals.
RRL/Double RL is the gem — rustic, homespun, tweedy, mountain-and-fields (as opposed to coastal), the many nods to vintage. Like the best of Episcopal parishes.
I agree with the favorable comments above. Nicely dressed, smiling models. What a novel concept. Let’s hope it carries over into the adult line.
I agree with S.E. that RRL is a gem. Even so, we miners have to sift through tons of crude ore to find the nuggets. Much of the line is just a little bit “outside”. Much more comes from the “pre-distress” assembly line. Easy to look at, less so to wear (for me anyway).
The “one-rinse”denim offerings in various fits and cuts make for a great assortment of natural to-be-faded jeans. They pair well with their plain white T-shirts. The tooled belts make tasty frosting for this well- baked Western cake.
Polo made middle age enjoyable, RRL makes growing old fun! Uncle Ralph is indeed wild and crazy. Best if taken with a grain of salt.