The official line: Inspired by the adrenaline-packed energy of motocross, the latest Polo Sport collection reflects timeless Polo RL style across looks that inspire motocross motifs and dynamic designs. Through 1970s inspirations and authentic interpretations, the bold and sleek sensibility of motocross racing is reimagined as modern gear with iconic Polo style.

The Barnato take: Not an arena into which Ralph Lauren was expected to venture, but venturing into the unexpected is a Polo brand trait at this point.

Motocross is not a place where one sees a lot of Ralph Lauren. That stands in stark contrast to just how much of it one sees at automotive events. The brand is obviously a status signifier, but it's also one that fits naturally into an automotive context. No doubt that's an outgrowth of Ralph Lauren himself, who has an exceptional car collection worth in the neighborhood of $300 million. Rumor has it every one of them is licensed, insured, and ready to go at a moment's notice.

But again, motocross is not a place where one sees a lot of Ralph Lauren. Although once upon a time, neither were polo shirts.

That's right: there was a time before Polo-branded polo shirts. The shirt came (obviously) from the sport of polo, but the shirt as we know it has roots in the 1920s when French tennis phenom René Lacoste adopted it. Now fast forward to 1972. The polo shirt had become a go-to for the sporty and rich set, and Lauren launched his collection. Lauren loved old polo shirts, but his came in a rainbow of 24 colors, breaking from the traditional preference for a muted palette while causing a sensation.

With that in mind, this Polo Sport collection makes more sense. This is Ralph Lauren once again embracing an aesthetic and the history behind it, while reimagining it in a way that can be difficult for those who might be a bit too hidebound by tradition.

From the Barnato perspective, it's surprising to see what are obvious riffs on the TAG Heuer and STP logos. Both are practically holy symbols in the world of racing, a foray into gearhead heresy we might have expected first from Rowing Blazers. Regardless, we approve because we endorse whoever makes a point of giving the self-appointed boomer gatekeepers of motoring culture a case of the vapors.

From the Barnato perspective, we're drawn especially to the Polo Sport Racing Jacket. There's the 1960s offset stripe, plus patches that at first glance have to be from TAG and STP. (There's that Ralph Lauren subversion again, although how he's gotten away with these examples beats us.) Meanwhile, there's a short sleeve camp collar button-up if a velcro collared racing jacket isn't your thing.

It's entirely possible this collection might be a foray into a type of motorsport in which the Ralph Lauren brand is a little less of a natural fit. If so, that's ok. Because what we like about nearly everything in the Polo universe is that it's all a bit of a thumbing of one's nose at convention—while recognizing the inherent value of that convention.

Polo Sport Motocross Collection [via Ralph Lauren]