This winter, the 2025 festive season has brought one particular aesthetic to the spotlight: a Ralph Lauren Christmas.
Think tartan adornment, roaring fireplaces, leather armchairs, polished coziness, and a natural inclination to sipping whiskey neat, all adorned in your cable knit sweater. Here in St Andrews, that fantasy can slip into a reality. Christmas arrives early in the Bubble, waving goodbye to autumnal leaves and Halloween, our magical Market Street lights and green-turned-red Starbucks cups mark the beginning of the festive season. As our three familiar streets glide into scenes of curated coziness, St Andrews is a town designed for a holiday campaign. Let’s be honest, if Ralph Lauren were to choose one British town as its muse, it would be this one. The Old Course dusts itself in frost, the stone buildings catch the early sunset glow, and the wind corrals everyone into long coats, knitwear, and boots as if it were our university’s unwritten winter dress code.
But this timeless feeling is not exclusive to St Andrews; the trending festive theme of 2025 has become an international trend. West London’s dazzling Sloane Square will have its biggest brand takeover by Ralph Lauren this winter season. So, let’s break down how we got here.
Why is “a Ralph Lauren Christmas” trending in 2025?
Two adjectives are ubiquitous in capturing this year’s Christmas feel: timeless and nostalgic. After years of minimalist, neutral, Scandinavian Christmases (you know, the ones that look like an Apple Store got festive), people are craving warmth, texture, colour, and history. A sense that your living room has a backstory.
The Ralph Lauren universe hits the sweet spot between tradition and polish. It’s cozy but never cluttered. The brand has always excelled at “total lifestyle curation” — meaning the outfit, room, music, dinner table, and lighting mood all belong to one cohesive world, creating something special. And in a year where many people long for stability, that idea of stepping into a beautifully curated, heritage-rich universe feels grounding. At its core, the trend is all about the atmosphere.
Why St Andrews is the Ralph Lauren Christmas Town
If any town was destined to embody that universe, it’s St Andrews. The student wardrobe alone feels suspiciously on-theme: thick wool scarves dominate North Street, polo shirts appear on people who are definitely not going to polo, cable-knit sweaters operate as a civic uniform, and loafers persist even in conditions the Met Office would classify as questionable. There is a particular St Andrews commitment to looking vaguely country-club adjacent, and nothing says “Ralph Lauren Christmas” quite like a lecture hall half-filled with people who look ready to step into a holiday catalogue.
The architecture doesn’t hurt either. The cathedral ruins, the old stone quads, the pub interiors lined with dark wood and leather booths – all conspire to create a naturally Ralph Lauren backdrop. And then there’s The Rusacks. Walk inside at any time of year, and it feels less like a hotel and more like a brand fantasy brought to life. St Andrews effortlessly nails the “American East Coast meets Scottish heritage” aesthetic Ralph Lauren embodies.
The London takeover: Ralph Lauren goes full Christmas
The aesthetic has officially gone global, with Ralph Lauren launching its first-ever branded Holiday Experience in London. Sloane Square has been transformed into an immersive festive world complete with a holiday café, curated rooms, and gift displays. At the centre is a holiday-themed barn hosting festive activities, from wreath-making to a Santa experience. It’s the most extensive takeover of the area to date, designed to bring its timeless and heritage-rich style to life. The installation runs from November 14th through to December 24th and reportedly feels like walking straight into a living, breathing Christmas ad.
The world is leaning heavily toward cozy ambience and nostalgic feelings, and Ralph Lauren has always excelled at selling a fantasy that feels both cinematic and comfortable. This new holiday experience captures the magic of this festive season.
Encompassing the Ralph Lauren Christmas Aesthetic
But the real beauty of a Ralph Lauren Christmas is that you don’t need Ralph Lauren money to enjoy a Ralph Lauren Christmas. Most of us already own at least one cable-knit jumper that can be casually draped over a chair to look charmingly intentional. A tartan scarf can double as a makeshift table runner. A beige or cream throw can elevate any student accommodation and make it feel winter-ready. Old books stacked on a coffee table create instant library-lodge energy. And most importantly, keep the lighting soft and golden. Warm white candles (battery-powered, because fire safety, of course) or lamp lighting instead of offensive overhead lights make everything look richer. Lastly, if you want to dress the part, consider layering a collared shirt under a knit, throwing on a tartan scarf, and wearing some loafers (or boots if, like me, you can’t handle the Scottish winter cold).
This Christmas, I encourage you to lean into the fantasy. Wear those warm cable knit sweaters. Decorate your flat like it’s about to be photographed for a holiday catalogue. Romantically wander down South Street pretending you’re the protagonist of a winter advert. Sip your hot chocolate while listening to your favourite Christmas album. Let yourself live, even briefly, inside the world of a Ralph Lauren Christmas. If any town was built for it, it’s ours.