How I Wore Orange to Polo Ralph Lauren Red’s Fragrance Launch

These days, it’s hard to be just one thing. In Hollywood’s Golden Age, actors were just that – actors. If you could sing, that was great. If you could act, sing, and dance, you were a triple threat. In the age of millennial power where multitasking is a requirement (not necessarily an art), actors like Ansel Elgort have actor, singer, and DJ behind their name.

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Yesterday, he added being the new face of Polo Red Rush – the fourth addition to the Polo Red franchise to his impressive list of bonafides. And I decided to wear Orange to the launch party. To be fair, the orange – bright and citrus-y, was Polo by Ralph Lauren.

James R. Sanders

New York’s fashion glitterati packed the Classic Car Club Manhattan clad in red graphics with cars used in the official campaign for the launch. Elgort, known largely for his breakout role in Baby Driver stars in the campaign which centered on sexy, fast, and smart cars. The location for the launch was perfect.

James R. Sanders

The color palate of the night seemed to be smoky charcoal and Ralph Lauren Cherry Red with New York Black, which is the standard. The rain was a perfect accessory, for them.

I clashed.

But there was something brilliant about my look. In head to toe Polo by Ralph Lauren, I felt like a super-rich drug dealer from the 70s in Miami – an era (minus the drugs) that I lived for but didn’t get a chance to live through.

A fashion mentor told me that I needed to get in the habit of wearing the designer to the events I get invited to. But being large and in charge, presented fit issues that I hadn’t always had the energy to confront.

Destination XL to the rescue. Angel at Destination XL helped me find the perfect look for the event.

James R. Sanders

The first shirt was a bit short for my taste, but the same version in a longer cut came through in a clutch. I never do orange. In a sea of summer blacks and warm-weathered navy, it stands out on the rack in closet, just like I did at the party. The pants, which had stretch, were tailored to perfection by Victor also at Destination XL.

James R. Sanders

There with my red carpet road dog Seleah Simone, we sampled the drinks, lobster rolls, and fish tacos while cutting a twerk to DJ Kaytranada. While this was going on, I found myself trying not to fan-out and ask Charles Michael Davis (from TV Land’s Younger, and CW’s The Originals) for a photo. Even though I really, Really, REALLY wanted to.

James R. Sanders

This new fragrance is geared specifically to millennial men – a market known for being notoriously hard to reach. “Red Rush will bring a new consumer into the brand,” Global Director for Ralph Lauren Fragrances Ginny Wright told WWD.

James wears the Polo Ralph Lauren Classic Fit Crane Print Camp Shirt - $145 | Polo Ralph Lauren Hampton Relaxed Straight-Fit Stretch Jeans | Cole Haan Leather Sneaker $99 - all items available for purchase at destinationxl.com