RRL

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Images

—01. Selection of RRL items available at Present.

Words

One of the most mysterious brands, at least in the realm of the Internet, has to be RRL. The brand enforces strict rules against online sales, publishing of images, self promotion and generally all the things that help brands thrive and/or survive today. This means if you don't live in one of the few cities with a RRL shop, the brand hardly exists, and that's a shame because it's great. Sure, it's made mostly in China, but it's made well, with great fabrics which have been processed beautifully. For those of you in London, Present are now stocking a selection of items from RRL.

&mdashAvailable at Present

Ralph Lauren Hawaiian Trunks

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Images

—01. Yellow, front view.
—02. Single pocket, ventilation.
—03. Navy, front view.

Words

It's been swim trunk weather in some places recently, unfortunately it's still a little ways away for us in Vancouver. There are plenty of options out there, but most just aren't great. Ralph Lauren is definitely a brand that will come through for you when looking for a classic item however. I quite like the yellow colour and I think they would work well with a white or blue oxford when you leave the pool/lake/shore to run into town.

—Available at Oi Polloi

Ralph Lauren Varsity Shorts

Tucked away in Oi Polloi's little stock of classic Ralph Lauren items are these really great vintage looking varsity shorts. They are some of the best I've seen this season, for one of the best prices. The length looks to be just about right and you can't go wrong with the navy blue with the red horse accent. They also happen to have the elastic waist beach shorts I've been looking for. I haven't actually bought anything from Oi Polloi before, mostly because of the UK currency, but these days it's just about on par with the US dollar for Canadians. Between Woolrich Woolen Mills, Engineered Garments and these Ralph Lauren beauties, Oi Polloi has arguably the best selection of casual men's shorts in the world!

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Sartorialude / New York

Mr. Schuman has been a busy guy this past season, making his rounds to the fashion capitals of the western world to take pictures of people who dress well. Sounds like a tough job doesn't it? There is now a little compilation of his top 'pics' from the off-the-runway New York scene on mens.style.com. There are definitely some good looking people wearing some good looking clothes. I seem to like the same colors, materials and general style with my top picks of the Sartorialist's top pics. Of these four, my favorites are the top two images. I love the varsity cardigan and aviator glasses a lot. The other fellow has a nice grasp of the shrunken outfit look and I really like the hint of plaid from the inside of his jacket. Kanye and a couple uber RL guys round out my top choices - really enjoying Kanye's gloves.

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Rugby by Ralph Lauren

So far this spring I haven't seen very much from the RL collections that I have been very excited about. For the most part it's been a lot of bright colored polos, which I know are staples. The fall season had so many great coats and sweaters, how can they really keep it up in the spring? Well, this package of rowing inspired gear for the Rugby line is a pretty good way. The varsity cardigan is really nice. I love the stripe on the arm and the big 'R' makes sense with Ralph as well as Ryan. The baseball style jacket is actually pretty nice as well. I normally wouldn't like the writing on it, but for some unknown reason Ralph Lauren can pull it off. Lastly, the best. Well it just looks great. Canvas and leather with classic detailing, how can you go wrong? Available at Colette.

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Ralph Lauren Blucher Mocs

The boat shoe/blucher moc is obviously great. Nobody can tell you me otherwise. Ralph Lauren does the best job in taking what is classically good and making it the best. With some premium leathers, perfect contrast stitching, outdoorsy laces and a beautiful dark green tone, they have come out with the best looking blucher mocs I've seen. I really do like Quoddy's mocs a lot, but it's the color and the laces that make these Polo joints that much better for me. I have a great pair of Sperry's that are so similar that I probably don't need to pick up these, especially since they run $350. However, I used to buy the same sneaker, just in different colors, so buying a slightly different model by a different brand might be enough of a difference to justify.

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