Image Courtesy of Loro Piana.
When the best golfers from America and Europe meet on September 26th to 28th at the infamous Bethpage Black Course in New York, it won’t just be about birdies and pars. The 45th Ryder Cup will also be a fashion battle between two opposed design philosophies that perfectly reflect the cultural differences between the US and Europe.
Image Courtesy of Ralph Lauren.
American flag meets Italian elegance
On one side is Ralph Lauren, the epitome of the American dream in textile form. For the seventh time, the brand is dressing the US team – and remaining true to its DNA: patriotic red, white, and blue in perfect harmony. The uniforms are a statement of American directness, a tribute to “Old Glory” that is as subtle as fireworks on the 4th of July. Ralph Lauren masterfully combines this Americana aesthetic with modern performance technology, preserving its classic silhouettes.
On the other hand, Loro Piana presents itself as Europe’s answer to American boldness: the Italian maison represents a distinctly different form of luxury. While Ralph Lauren waves flags, Loro Piana whispers of “plein air elegance” and “unique savoir-vivre.” The brand focuses on understated sophistication—luxury that doesn’t scream, but speaks softly of decades of craftsmanship and the finest materials in the world.
Image Courtesy of Loro Piana.
Two continents, two understandings of luxury
This comparison is more than just a battle between two fashion companies – it is a microcosm of the cultural differences between America and Europe. Ralph Lauren represents the American dream: loud, proud, aspirational. It is luxury for the masses, democratic prestige. The classic polo shirt, once the privilege of the elite, was made by Lauren into a symbol that anyone can wear. His Ryder Cup uniforms embody this spirit: “Look at us, we are America!”
Loro Piana, on the other hand, embodies the European, specifically Italian, approach to luxury: exclusive, understated, recognizable only to the initiated. The brand produces the most expensive cashmere sweaters in the world, using vicuña wool and baby cashmere – materials whose names alone tell stories. Loro Piana is not about being seen, but about knowing. It is luxury as the secret language of the elite.
Image Courtesy of Ralph Lauren.
Performance meets tradition
It is also interesting to observe how both brands address the challenge of creating high fashion for high-performance sports. Ralph Lauren relies on proven American innovation: modern performance fabrics in classic cuts, functionality that doesn’t compromise on aesthetics. The American team will sweat, move, fight – and look damn good doing it.
Loro Piana, on the other hand, has taken a different approach: the Italians used 3D technology for the first time to simulate Golf swings and find the perfect balance between freedom of movement and elegance. Typically European: instead of relying on tried-and-tested solutions, the science of movement is being reinvented. The result is uniforms that fit like a second skin – Italian engineering in the service of elegance.
Bethpage Black as the perfect stage
The Bethpage Black Course could hardly be a more fitting venue. As a public Golf course on Long Island, it embodies the democratic spirit of American golf – anyone can play here if they are good enough. It is rough, honest, without frills—the perfect stage for Ralph Lauren’s American pragmatism.
At the same time, Bethpage Black is also one of the most challenging Golf courses in the world, a course that rewards skill and strategy – qualities that Loro Piana’s European team seeks to embody. The Europeans will play with the same precision with which their uniforms were tailored.
Image Courtesy of Loro Piana.
Style is key
Ultimately, the 2025 Ryder Cup will not only show who has the better golfers, but also which design philosophy will determine the future of luxury. Will the open, democratic American approach prevail? Or will the European tradition of quiet excellence triumph?
One thing is sure: no matter who wins, both teams will be incredibly well-dressed. And perhaps that is what matters most in the end – because actual class is not only evident in the game, but also in what you wear while playing.
The 45th Ryder Cup will take place from September 26-28, 2025, at the Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, New York.