Ralph Lauren’s all-American cultural appropriation

Published January 1, 2026 11:05pm ET



After years of Scandinavian and Bauhaus-inflected minimalism, no-frills graphic design, and the Marie Kondo-inspired culling of closets, clutter is suddenly back in style. According to the New York Times, a Ralph Lauren Christmas was the trend of the holiday season, although you don’t need to shop at Ralph Lauren to get the look. Cost-conscious consumers turned to a legion of influencers to learn how to fill their living rooms with tartan ribbons, cozy lighting, and throw pillows and blankets on the cheap. 

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