Now that it’s time to get out your hot-weather style playbook, the chapter you’ll most likely turn to first is “locale.” A Fourth of July weekend in New England might once have called for a parade of pastel chino shorts and cotton oxford button-downs, while an escape to the Hamptons asked for something more tailored like an assemblage of knit shirts, light sweaters, and pleated trousers. But why not create a new chapter, one that’s less about where than wherever. As a proposition, it’s very Polo—classic, universal, versatile, and distinctly American. Think of the casual elegance captured in classics like The Talented Mr. Ripley, where what’s packed in a suitcase not only complements the setting but elevates the character who puts it on. The message here isn’t just about the strength of a limited color palette but the elegant genius of linen.

Lightweight and breathable, textured and soft, linen can easily be the backbone of an entire wardrobe, from trousers and shorts to button-down shirts and suit jackets, all of which is included here. The color palette is pared down, with a touch of drama: The tones are classic—olive drab, black, navy, white—yet it’s the unexpected types of pieces (drawstring shorts, loosely woven sweaters, field jackets) and the way they can be mixed and matched that make for broad possibilities. These are clothes that can go all kinds of places—the office, a business lunch, a black-tie summer wedding—and be worn on the plane that gets you there. As a wardrobe, it fits seamlessly into any setting, encapsulating a relaxed yet refined aesthetic.

We mentioned drama, so we should explain. You’ve probably been told dark colors make you hotter in the summer; linen is one cloth that makes that rule of thumb breakable. When there’s a breeze, linen works like a passive air conditioner, letting the air come right in. It feels at times like it’s barely there. Because dark, monochromatic color is an unusual choice in the summer, it’s also very striking. As a look, it takes its cues from an era when closets were smaller and what was in them was coherent, consistent, and carefully chosen. That, as an idea of how to dress, fits perfectly with Ralph Lauren’s mantra of classic style. As for how to accessorize it, we recommend a tan.