If you’ve searched online for holiday decoration inspiration in the last month, you’ve probably stumbled across the term “Ralph Lauren Christmas.”
The phrase refers to holiday decor that takes inspiration from the iconic brand and, at first glance, looks a lot like traditional Christmas decor.
However, Ralph Lauren Christmas puts its own spin on decking the halls, and it’s easy to miss the mark when trying to recreate the look.
Here’s everything you need to know.
‘Ralph Lauren Christmas’ is the ‘it’ holiday aesthetic of 2025
Interest in “Ralph Lauren Christmas” has skyrocketed in recent months, with Google Searches for the theme spiking from October to November. If you take a look at social media posts with the tag, you’ll see photos and videos of luxurious Christmas decor full of timeless ornaments, tartan touches, and twinkling lights.
“The Ralph Lauren aesthetic centers on rich colors, layered textures, and pieces that harmonize beautifully,” Alma Abruzzo, who has created several Ralph Lauren Christmas tablescapes through her company The Tablescaper, told Business Insider.
Sara Parker, a lighting and furniture designer, described the aesthetic as “English country meets Americana.”
“It kind of gives you that old money, quiet wealth that’s not so quiet,” she told Business Insider.
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“It really is a return to traditionalism, and I think that is tied to nostalgia for a lot of people,” Parker said. “I think that our socioeconomic climate is really making people crave nostalgia and crave those cozy feelings, and I think that Ralph Lauren gives that to us.”
Barbara Reimelt, the founder of the interior design firm The Ninety Nine Group and the former senior vice president of global product presentation for Ralph Lauren, echoed Parker.
“Given that it seems the world is in such a strange place, going back to things that make us feel cozy, warm, comfortable, and just happy is what people want,” Reimelt said.
Traditional red and green decor doesn’t quite cut it for Ralph Lauren Christmas
Although you might see some bright red and green touches in a home decorated with a Ralph Lauren Christmas theme, too much of the classic Christmas color scheme isn’t best suited to the style.
“I would say we’re really focused on a deep color palette,” Parker said. “We’re not just sticking to reds. We’re going with oxblood. We’re not just doing blues. We’re doing navy. We’re not doing Christmas greens. We’re doing hunter greens. So definitely the deepest, most rich and saturated forms of those colors.”
In the same vein, Parker said that colorful Christmas lights don’t quite work with the Ralph Lauren look, and it’s best to stick to white lights and tapered candles instead.
“I would stay away from colored, nostalgic lights,” Parker said. “It’s just not quite classic enough.”
Tartans and textures
Tartan plaid is a signature element of Ralph Lauren Christmas decor, as Parker told Business Insider.
Abruzzo said that black watch tartan, in particular, which is composed of black, dark blue, and deep green, suits the aesthetic well.
Reimelt added that tartan often appears in unexpected ways from the brand, so you should feel free to experiment with it as you bring it into your home.
“You could take a tartan fabric and wrap it around the base of the Christmas tree,” she suggested. You can also use it for napkins or as a runner for your holiday table setting.
In addition to tartan, Parker said rich textures are a signature of the style, so you should be embracing fabrics like leather, wool, and velvet. Reimelt said that blending those textures can also help create the desired look.
“It’s about a velvet next to a taffeta or a little bit of a harder textile,” she said.
Abruzzo also told Business Insider that the metals you use to decorate can make a big difference in achieving the Ralph Lauren Christmas look.
“Silver is the primary metal, occasionally accented with brass, and crystal is a must,” Abruzzo said. “Pay attention to detail, but steer clear of clutter.”
You don’t have to buy Ralph Lauren products
You might be tempted to splurge on Ralph Lauren’s latest seasonal line to create the Christmas of your dreams, but Parker and Reimelt advised against turning your home into a replica of your local store’s holiday display.
“We’re not trying to make your Christmas look like you’re walking into a Ralph Lauren flagship store,” Parker said. “I probably wouldn’t go out and buy a blanket with an equestrian pattern. It’s too literal.”
Instead, you want to capture the essence of the brand’s aesthetic without having the RL brand on everything you own.
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You can invest in one or two items from the brand if you really want to, but otherwise, it might be better to purchase items from affordable retailers like HomeGoods and Walmart.
Likewise, Reimelt said the Ralph Lauren Christmas aesthetic lends itself to DIY decor.
“Go in the forest or go to the next flower district store, buy pine cones, and paint them the color you want,” she said. “Or go to Mood Fabrics in New York City, buy fabrics or ribbons.”
That way, you can create one-of-a-kind pieces that will reflect the Ralph Lauren style and your family’s vibe.
You also don’t need to buy a ton of products to lean into the look
Credit card points can be great, but you don’t need to rack them up trying to transform your house into the Ralph Lauren Christmas aesthetic.
“If Walmart had an entire display and it was like, ‘Here’s your Ralph Lauren Christmas on a platter,’ I would highly discourage people from buying everything,” Parker said.
Parker suggested grabbing a few more affordable items that will make a big impact, like ribbon.
“Invest in ribbon,” Parker advised. “I think ribbon is a really impactful and affordable way to achieve the look. And it doesn’t have to be tartan ribbon, just even nice, velvet ribbon or things like that.”
She also said it’s smart to invest in pieces you know you’ll use year after year, such as special ornaments.
“Starting a steady collection of ornaments is a great idea in general,” she added. “I think that you can incorporate some heirloom and nostalgic ornaments with this aesthetic.”
Reimelt told Business Insider that people shouldn’t put pressure on themselves to perfectly fit the Ralph Lauren Christmas aesthetic they see online. Instead, they should focus on figuring out what holiday decor feels true to them.
“I think doing it in a way that speaks to you rather than just copy and paste, to me, is always more meaningful,” Reimelt said.
Abruzzo expressed a similar sentiment, saying it’s important to stay true to yourself even if you embrace Ralph Lauren Christmas.
“The goal is to create a warm, cohesive atmosphere that blends in with your home already,” she said.
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