A Change of Climates | Genova Travel Diary with Ralph Lauren

 Mediterranean mode was fully activated in Genova, Italy. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Ralph Lauren

When an important anniversary rolls around it’s worth reflecting on the journey that we've took to this point in time. Pulling out all the stops to commemorate such an occasion is one of life's joys – looking back on those memories that will cement themselves in time. It’s hard to believe that myself and Hollie will soon be celebrating our 1st wedding anniversary, it feels like yesterday!

But first, we have another event to get the party poppers out for. 2018 marks 50 years of Ralph Lauren: an iconic within pop culture. Which brings us to one of the brand’s most recognisable pieces, an item which constantly finds itself fitting into the category of timeless (and effortless if your initials are JFK): The Mesh Polo Shirt. Many menswear aficionados would consider the humble polo shirt as a staple in their wardrobes since they were yey high – you'd be hard-pressed to find a gent who hasn't worn one at some point in his life.

To celebrate this anniversary we this we took a two hour plane journey, from Manchester, over to the historical Italy city of Genova - the birthplace of America’s founding father, Christopher Columbus, and home to one of the most significant port industries in the whole of Europe. Would you believe that our whole trip cost us less than a two-day round trip to London?! I think I'll be making similar excursions more often...

The city itself mirrors many of Ralph Lauren’s distinctively recognisable qualities; seldom effected by time, always improving with age, and at its core, charmingly simple.

Mesh Polo Shirt c/o Ralph Lauren | Trousers by Folk x MR PORTER | 
Sneakers by Converse | Sunglasses by Moscot

One walk around the city’s historical quarter left me wondering why my only prior knowledge of Genova was from watching Football Italian when I was a young boy. Winding, narrow pathways seemingly leading to nowhere, shadowed by towering building, each showing signs of weathering from decades of bombardment from the Mediterranean sun. Look + listen; you’ll hear locals sharing conversations across balconies, unintentional beauty with colour-matching laundry hanging from washing lines, bleached-out power cables + everyday life barely altered by modernisation. Genova truly felt like "old Italy"; a close-knit community built on family values, hard work and honesty – qualities which I know the Ralph Lauren the brand is centred around.

The Mesh Polo Shirt is a piece of clothing I’m revisiting at a time in my life where I feel at ease with my personal style. Experimentation from at early age saw me sporting polo shirts on countless occasion, but it’s an item that has eluded by wardrobe for half a decade.

The breathable qualities of the polo came in handy for the 30° heatwave we found ourselves in. I felt at ease knowing that my outfit would take me through the day; from a 9am breakfast of pastries + coffee, to a late night dinner at a local gem known as Groove Burger. Polo Shirt 1-0 Ketchup.

One feeling that did come over me when wearing the fresh white polo shirt was confidence. I'm not sure if it was the freedom of being somewhere new or the fact that I was pretty pleased with my styling choice, but everything about wearing the polo shirt just felt right. It's garments such as Ralph Lauren's lived-in Mesh Polo Shirt, worn-out blue jeans, sun-bleached baseball caps, classic Chucks or threadbare chinos that evoke what true Americana means to me; a honest reflection of an individual personality.

Photography by Jake Millers.

This post is an paid partnership with Ralph Lauren. Your support of the brands + businesses we work with helps make this blog happen.

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Outfits Lately

Amor-Lux, Gap, Superga

Albam, Champion, Puma, Nike

H&M, Gap, Converse, Copperstown Classics

Albam, Topman, Gap, Nike

Levis, Jack Purcell, Dicota

J-Crew, Disney, Gap, Nike

Farah Vintage, Universal Works, Levi's, Nike, Albam

Norse Projects, Levi's Commuter, Ralph Lauren, Converse, Coffee

Some of my outfits from over the past month. You can follow me on Instagram here.

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Artisan Woven Rug @ Joinery

A quick way to make your place look a bit more like Ralph's Double RL Ranch in Colorado. Made in Minas Gerais, Brazil. I'm sure he would approve.

Artisan Woven Rug available at Joinery.

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Urban Outfitters A/W 12 Press Day

A few weeks ago I was invited down to a press day at my local Urban Outfitters in Manchester, for a nose around their offerings for A/W 12. I've mentioned before about this UO, it's massive and they really don't skimp on the menswear section, with two dedicated floors. Every time I visit they seem to be stocking new brands, so it was nice to get to know more about each of them. Here's a few things that caught my eye on the day;

The first brand you hit as you head up to the mens section is the 80s dart fan's favourite, Farah. They've been producing some cracking detail-heavy pieces for a few seasons now, all at mid-market prices. Lots of checks, stripes and knits, my favourite piece was the orange parka above. Orange is everywhere right?

One of the new brands for A/W is Ralph Lauren's Denim & Supply, which seems to be more aimed at the laid back casual chap that their main range. Their plan worked too, most of the collection would fit into my existing wardrobe with ease. Lots of henley tops, heavy flannel, worn denim and layered outerwear.

Classic Fred Perry stuff. Less about the sportswear this seasons, more room for their smarter stuff. Including a knitted l/s wool polo with check elbow detail and their staple parka.

UO's footwear department has always been on the small side compared to online, but they've got some popular brands and styles; Nike, Vans and Clarks to name a few. Above is a snap of the Shore Leave desert boots which feature nifty crepe soles. Some more Shore Leave below.

Proof that I was actually there, here's me thumbing through some "East 17-esque" vintage camo jackets

Another new brand, UO's own Craft Collection, concentrating on water-resistance outerwear in vibrant colours. In-house all sits nicely along side more established brands such as Carhartt, Edwin,  Herschel, Levi's and Penfield (above is the Kasson parka). Other new bits for A/W include Belgium brand Bellerose, Libertine Libertine's amazing leopard prints and the on-going collab between Dickies x UO, which seems to be gathering a bit of pace now.

I went home a couple of pieces, Libertine Libertine leopard print pocket tee and a Shore Leave chambray shirt. As always, it was a pleasure to visit the UO Manchester store, it's one of the more spacious stores and the staff are all very welcoming and knowledgeable. Have you been in lately, what's floating your boat?

(Some photos by Hollie)

Go For It Ringo

Wearing - Blue Gap jacket, Ralph Lauren check shirt, beige Gap chinos, beige Converse.

The idea of this post was meant to just be close ups but I didn't get enough of me so I have thrown in a full lengther. I do cringe a bit when I upload a picture of myself but sometimes it's nice to put a face to a blog hey. I've pretty pleased with my latest purchases in Gap(the jacket was in the sale), it's one of the only shops on the high street that I can get trousers/jeans to fit me. I'm like Goldilocks when it comes to trousers, not too tight/not too baggy, just right! 

Hollie has finally pulled out her "car coat" from Topshop. Every girl needs one right? All these pics were taken in a little village next to where we live called Lytham, it's quite a post place so all the charity shops are packed with old designer gear.

Oh and, Ringo WAS a good drummer, he may have had a weird style but I like it. 

Uni is getting really heavy but I will always try and comment back as soon as possible.