For All Seasons

This is a favorite outfit of mine, from an old Ralph Lauren runway show. I've had this image saved for awhile so I don't remember whether this is a spring/summer or fall/winter look, and the blurriness doesn't help. However, I'm rather glad about that - it speaks to the functionality of color and pattern rather than fabric. Too often we limit ourselves to bright colors for warm weather, dull colors in the cold. I say that anything goes, anytime.

Were this a spring/summer look, the tie would likely be made of silk or cotton, the blazer of silk/linen, and the trouser of lightweight cotton twill.

For fall/winter, the tie and jacket would certainly be heavy wools, with the trouser composed of corduroy.

With the weather warmed up a bit, it's time to utilize madras and such, but you shouldn't have hesitation in going bright and bold now when such opportunity is yours all year. This is the perfect time to stock up on off-season sales of corduroys and tartans. So, get to shopping now and you'll be ready to move straight into lavish lavender lambswool and cozy cranberry cashmere.