8 Timeless Style Secrets from Ralph Lauren
Now, I don’t know about you, but if Ralph Lauren has something to say about how we’re dressing, I’m listening because this is a man who built an empire redefining timeless style. His fashion advice isn’t just for runway models or magazine covers. It’s surprisingly down-to-earth and speaks directly to women just like you and me.
If you’re ready to feel more confident, more elegant, and more like yourself in every outfit, this is for you.
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1. Style Is Forever, Fashion Is Fleeting
“Style is very personal. It has nothing to do with fashion. Fashion is over quickly. Style is forever.” — Ralph Lauren
This is your permission slip to stop chasing trends. You don’t need to wear balloon sleeves or micro-minis just because they’re in stores. What you wear should reflect you, not what’s trending on the runway.
Style Tip: Create a small “Forever Style” section in your closet. It’s a curated collection of timeless pieces that you always feel amazing in. Think crisp tailoring, elegant lines, and soft neutrals that never go out of style.
2. Dress for the Dream
“I don’t design clothes. I design dreams.” — Ralph Lauren
This quote gives me chills. I can remember sitting in my college fashion class, completely mesmerized as my professor described Ralph Lauren and I’ve been inspired by him ever since.
Ralph was born Ralph Lifshitz in New York City, selling ties in Manhattan while dreaming of what life might be like for the elegant weekenders heading to the Hamptons. He imagined their wardrobes, their homes, their lifestyles and then he designed them. That dream turned into one of the most iconic style empires of all time.
Ralph Lauren created and is the best at aspirational dressing.
Style Tip: Try styling one outfit that feels like your next-level self. Whether it’s more elevated, more creative, or more playful, dress for the dream version of who you’re becoming.
3. Comfort and Confidence Can Coexist
“A woman should wear whatever makes her feel comfortable and confident.”
Ralph Lauren mastered the art of looking luxurious while feeling completely relaxed. His signature look of flowy trousers, unstructured blazers, cozy knits proves you can look elevated and still feel like you’re in loungewear. I like to think of them as comfortable yet elegant outfits and they really suit many women over 50.
Style Tip: How to look polished without sacrificing comfort: Prioritize fabric and fit. Look for soft, breathable materials in tailored silhouettes. Avoid clothes that pinch, pull, or overexpose. Style is about how you feel in your clothes, not just how they look.
4. Shop with Intention, Not Impulse
“It’s not about buying a lot of stuff. It’s about finding the things that make you feel good.”
This is capsule-wardrobe gold. It’s easy to believe that more clothes mean more options, but in reality, the opposite is true. Thoughtful, intentional pieces build effortless style — and Ralph knew that long before “minimalism” was a trend.
Style Tip: Before buying anything new, ask:
Does this make me feel beautiful and confident every time I wear it?
Does it go with at least three other things in my closet?
If it doesn’t pass both questions, leave it behind.
Pro tip: I’ve created over 40 videos on building capsule wardrobes. If you want to dive deeper, watch the full Capsule Wardrobe Series on my YouTube channel for inspiration.
5. Find Your True Style Voice
“I think the most important thing about style is to have your own voice.”
Forget the outdated rules about “no white after Labor Day” or “matching shoes to your bag.” Your style voice matters more than anyone else’s rulebook and now it’s time to define your personal style.
Style Tip: Look back at five outfits you’ve truly loved. What did they have in common? Maybe it’s structured silhouettes, feminine details, or a touch of drama. That’s your voice, so now amplify it.
To help you define your look, download my free Complete List of Style Words — a printable checklist of 100+ descriptive words to guide your shopping and outfit choices.
6. Let Your Wardrobe Reflect Your Values
“Personal style is about having a sense of yourself and what you believe in every day.”
This message hits home for women over 50. You’ve lived, you’ve learned — and now, you can dress from a place of self-knowledge rather than insecurity. If you’ve been wanting to learn how to dress my like yourself after 50, adopt style words.
Your wardrobe should mirror what you value most. For example: simplicity, confidence, or playfulness.
Style Tip: Choose three style words that represent your aesthetic — maybe “confident,” “effortless,” and “bold.” Use them as a guide every time you shop or get dressed.
7. Mix What You Love — There Are No Rules
“People ask, ‘How can you mix that?’ It’s what you love — and there are no rules.”
Ralph Lauren built his empire by mixing denim with sequins, suede with velvet, and cowboy boots with cashmere. He gave women permission to have fun with fashion again.
Style Tip: Learn how to mix casual and dressy pieces. For example, pair something casual with something polished…wide-leg jeans with a silk blouse, or a tailored blazer over a graphic tee. When in doubt, mix what you love.
8. True Luxury Comes from Within
“Fashion is not necessarily about labels. It’s not about brands. It’s about something else that comes from within you.”
You don’t need designer logos to look elegant. What matters is how your clothes make you feel.
Style Tip: Focus on silhouette, color harmony, and confidence. A beautifully fitted off-brand blazer can outshine a luxury logo jacket any day.
Ralph Lauren built his legacy on confidence, clarity, and self-expression. That’s what real style is — and it’s something every woman over 50 can embody.
Final Thoughts
Ralph Lauren’s timeless wisdom reminds us that true style isn’t about chasing what’s new — it’s about refining what’s you. So tell me, which of these lessons spoke to you most, and which style tip are you going to start today?
Let me know in the comments — you know I love hearing from you 💕
Stay gorgeous and I’ll see you in the next one.
