INSIDE

For men seeking a polished update to their inner Brando or James Dean, look no further than Ralph Lauren’s Black Label and its cousin, Black Label Denim, offering a sophisticated reworking of the classics. The concept – which achieves its most thrilling success in the arena of sports rather than dress wear – thrives on Lauren’s idea of “utility made sexy.”

Black Label features chic alternatives to classics like gauzy jersey knits and denim blazers with cashmere sweaters and leather button-down shirts adding edginess and warm layers. It’s the perfect look to take men from a Saturday day-trip to an apple orchard to a hip night at Greenwich Avenue’s Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar.

With this line, RL branches out beyond the polo shirt with a contemporary and functional approach. Of course, he maintains that reliable American design aesthetic, but this time, undertones make little reference to the country club, instead focusing on industrial themes. In a post-recession era as the public searches for reminders of the nation’s glory days, Lauren seems to say, it doesn’t get more American than our gritty, manufacturing roots.

With high-tech fabrics, innovative denim treatments, gleaming leathers, and top-notch details, Lauren celebrates a reinventing of the all-American male, sporting a luxurious but perhaps more subtle style.

The circuit denim biker jacket ($895) just reeks of couture-hip. Lauren doesn’t miss a beat with his modern cropped silhouette, yarn-dyed denim finished with charcoal pigment coating, snapped lapels, diamond-quilted shoulder details and zip cuffs. He seriously tempts wearers to take a spin on a motorcycle with this well-worn, posh bad-boy jacket. Underneath, layer up with a ribbed knit navy wool-cashmere shawl cardigan ($895). That’s right – this fall, guys can wear shawl cardigans, too.

Denim on denim is back. Announce it by pairing a trim, dark-wash chambray work shirt ($250) with slim-fit stretch jeans in Cammer Indigo ($225) from Black Label Denim. Inspired by vintage Belstaff motorcycle jackets, the courier cargo jean in Monza Indigo ($395) will add cool points to your fall closet with a utility style, moto-inspired pockets, a slim silhouette and waxy coating. Finish the look with the more refined black leather mid-calf Fisher vachetta boots ($850). Think rugged America meets clubby Amsterdam.

Prepster shoppers will appreciate the denim line’s Hainsworth deerskin loafer ($375) in tan or black, a simple, beautiful autumn shoe easily dressed up or down. For a casual daytime date, opt for Black Label’s cotton military crewneck ($295) in a nice deep moss color with über-cool dark brown leather shoulder and sleeve patches. And please tuck that slim shirt into a pair of five-pocket stretch corduroy jeans ($295), available in a range of earthy browns and black. Belt it with a papaya leather belt with a silver-toned roller buckle ($175).