What to Wear From Ralph Lauren in Denver Next Spring

The “It” Factor for Denver: Ralph Lauren’s brand of all-American style always translates well at retail, and next season, women will flock to Lauren for simple, chic clothing. Looks—such as a white organdy, racer-back tank under a transparent jacket paired with narrow, peg-leg pants or a pair of  silk charmeuse trousers with a button-down workshirt that conveys the feel of vintage denim—are both relaxed and luxe.

The Gist of the Show: In our current economic climate, it almost seems inevitable that at least one fashion designer would look to the Great Depression for inspiration. And, although it took all week, on the last day of the Spring 2010 shows, Ralph Lauren delivered a collection romanticizing the Dust Bowl era.

Some of the clothing is reminiscent of Dorothea Lange’s FSA photographs (fashion trade Women’s Wear Daily even mentions that it “made for interesting and, at times, uncomfortable viewing”), including destroyed, faded, patchwork, and dirty denim.

With menswear influences a major theme in his collection, Lauren polishes off denim overalls, blazers, rolled-cuff jeans, vests, and newsboy caps with feminine ruffled blouses or intersperses his denim looks with calico, floral-print dresses and striped nightshirts. A group of sharply tailored, three-piece, pinstripe suits—complete with ties and pocket chains—looks natty, if not a little like costumes from a Hollywood epic.

But it was after these opening sections that the real show began: a couple of pretty, indigo-blue cocktail dresses, followed by floaty, white organdy cut into a billowy nightshirt with matching vest, a wispy skirt with a three-quarter-sleeve blouse and vest, and a drop-waisted dress with ruffles at the hem and shoulder. For evening, Lauren turns on his glam quotient with a full-length workshirt dress and overall gown—both in silver lamé.

Look for It Locally: Polo Ralph Lauren, 3000 E. First Ave., 303-355-7656.

More looks from the runway: