Ralph Lauren Vs Polo - What's the Difference?

Ralph Lauren and Polo are two iconic fashion brands that are often mixed up. In this blog post, we're going to see what's the difference between these tow brands. 

The History of Ralph Lauren and Polo Ralph Lauren

Before delving into the style and unique characteristics of both brands, it is important to first understand their history and how they each came to be.

How Ralph Lauren emerged

Ralph Lauren Corporation, also known as Polo Ralph Lauren, was founded in 1967 by Ralph Lauren himself. Born in New York City in 1939, Lauren began his career as a tie salesman for Brooks Brothers. It was during this time that he began dreaming of creating his own line of ties, which eventually led to the creation of Ralph Lauren Corporation.

In the early days, Ralph Lauren started out selling his ties to small stores and boutiques in New York City. However, it wasn't long before his designs caught the attention of high-end retailers like Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale's. Soon thereafter, Lauren expanded his business to offer both menswear and womenswear lines; eventually opening his first freestanding store on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

From there, the company continued to grow and expand its product line to include everything from men's and women's clothing to home furnishings and fragrances. Today, Ralph Lauren Corporation is a global brand that is known for its classic American style and timeless designs.

How Polo Ralph Lauren emerged

Polo Ralph Lauren was established in 1968, just one year after the launch of Ralph Lauren Corporation. The brand was originally launched as a line of men's tailored clothing, with a focus on high-quality suits and sportswear.

Polo is an ancient, horseback sport played between two teams on horseback. Players use mallets with flexible and long handles to strike a ball across a field or between goalposts, creating fast action that is highly popular across America and often seen at special events and sporting events.

The RL brand's roots can be found in American sportswear tradition. Their iconic logo depicts a polo player on his pony evoking strength, quality and team spirit while simultaneously recalling America's aristocracy history and exuding class and elegance. Their clothing offers sophisticated classic shapes in fresh spring colors for maximum impact!

Over the years, Polo Ralph Lauren has become known for its classic, preppy style that is inspired by the sport of polo. The brand is also known for its iconic polo shirts, which feature the brand's signature polo player logo.

Ralph Lauren vs Polo: Clothing Lines

Ralph Lauren and Polo clothing lines differ primarily in that Ralph Lauren is part of Ralph Lauren Corporation while Polo stands on its own as an independent clothing line, along with differences in pricing and quality.

Ralph Lauren Company is now an international empire with more than 1,100 stores around the globe, known for their iconic polo shirt worn by celebrities, politicians and business leaders worldwide. From preppy to counterculture style sensibilities alike - polo shirts have achieved legendary status within fashion culture; one even being immortalized in a coffee table book!

Ralph Lauren and the US Polo Assn both provide a range of products, as well as accessories like hats, bags and watches. Over recent years, however, USPA has expanded their marketing and licensing practices in ways which seem likely to cause conflicts with RL's brand; consequently, a federal court ruled that USPA products violate RL trademarks.

Polo Ralph Lauren is Ralph Lauren's more affordable sub-brand. Constructed from high-grade materials and featuring his fresh sporty style, its products come in apparel for both men and women ranging from T-shirts, pants, and hats made in factories all over China, Vietnam and Cambodia - perfect for keeping up with current trends without breaking the bank! The Polo Ralph Lauren clothing collection makes for an affordable way to stay fashionable and their prices are often under $100.

The RL brand encompasses three sub-brands, the Blue Label, Purple Label and Green Label. While Blue and Purple labels use higher-grade materials with attention to detail and more expensive construction techniques; Green Label provides more accessible sub-brand products using lower quality materials and generic styling.

The Style and Unique Characteristics of Ralph Lauren vs. Polo Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren and Polo Ralph Lauren may both use polo-inspired logos in their designs, yet each differs significantly when it comes to branding, style and target market. Ralph Lauren provides classic pieces designed to attract a more refined clientele; in contrast, US Polo Assn and Polo Ralph Lauren is more affordable sportswear for casual use that appeals to a wider market.

Both brands are known for their attention to detail and superior materials. Both employ an impressive roster of designers who help ensure their clothing reflects current fashion trends. Polo Ralph Lauren features both casual staples and trend-led pieces for every taste in its collections; Ralph Lauren utilizes different manufacturing locations worldwide in order to guarantee high-quality standards are met.

Is the Quality from Ralph Lauren and Polo the Same?

Ralph Lauren and Polo offer timeless yet classic pieces, in a wide variety of styles to meet every need and occasion. If you prefer preppy attire, Polo can offer preppy apparel while Ralph Lauren provides more contemporary takes on fashion. Additionally, both brands provide multiple color options, while staying mainly in the neutral zone.

Both brands boast an abundance of products and an excellent customer service system, as well as offering shoes and accessories from their respective collections (Ralph Lauren boasts Black Label, Purple Label, Denim & Supply and Double RL (Ralph Lauren Green Label).

Ralph Lauren and Polo may both be synonymous with the sport of polo, yet each brand has its own identity and target market. Ralph Lauren offers luxurious apparel while US Polo Association caters to sport-inspired apparel needs.

Ralph Lauren tends to offer more expensive pieces made of superior materials designed to last and designed in America; Polo does not manufacture its clothing in this manner.

Namely, Ralph Lauren stands out with its French translation meaning of the word, which reflects their dedication to creating clothes with classic styles and elegance that reflect that sentiment. Additionally, their charitable activities use this moniker - they have donated millions to charity over time as well as established the Ralph Lauren Foundation which supports arts education programs as well as children's hospitals.

Pricing: Ralph Lauren vs Polo Difference

Another area where Ralph Lauren and Polo Ralph Lauren differ is in terms of pricing. While both brands are known for their high-quality products, Polo Ralph Lauren is generally considered to be the more affordable of the two.

One reason for this is that Polo Ralph Lauren tends to offer more casual, sporty clothing that is made from less expensive materials like cotton and polyester. Additionally, the brand often uses wholesale manufacturers to produce its products, which allows for greater cost savings.

Ralph Lauren Corporation, on the other hand, is known for its higher price point and use of more expensive materials like cashmere and silk. Additionally, many of the brand's products are made in-house, which can drive up the price.

Comparing Pricing and Quality: Ralph Lauren vs Polo Ralph Lauren Signature Products

To better understand the pricing and quality differences between Ralph Lauren and Polo Ralph Lauren, let's compare three similar pieces from each brand.

1. Polo Shirt

A polo shirt is an iconic piece from both Ralph Lauren and Polo Ralph Lauren. In terms of quality, both brands use high-quality materials like pima cotton and pay close attention to detail when it comes to construction. However, there are some differences in terms of price.

A polo shirt from Polo Ralph Lauren, on the other hand, generally costs around $75 to $98. However, a classic shirt from Ralph Lauren Purple Label can cost anywhere from $400, depending on the specific style and material. 

While the price difference may not seem significant, it is worth noting that the quality of Ralph Lauren's polo shirts is generally considered to be higher than that of Polo Ralph Lauren.

2. Cable-Knit Sweater

A cable-knit sweater is another classic piece from both Ralph Lauren and Polo Ralph Lauren. In terms of quality, both brands use high-quality materials like cashmere and wool and pay close attention to detail when it comes to construction. However, there are some differences in terms of price.

A sweater from Polo Ralph Lauren, on the other hand, generally costs around $98 to $198. A cable-knit sweater from Ralph Lauren Purple label starts at $600, depending on the yarn and style. 

3. Sport Coat

A sport coat is a more formal piece from both Ralph Lauren and Polo Ralph Lauren. In terms of quality, both brands use high-quality materials like wool and pay close attention to detail when it comes to construction. However, there are some differences in terms of price.

A sport coat from Polo Ralph Lauren, on the other hand, generally costs around $495 to $995. A sport coat from Ralph Lauren can cost anywhere from $595 to $2995. 

While both brands use high-quality materials and pay close attention to detail, the pricing differences between the two are significant. Additionally, many people consider Ralph Lauren's sport coats to be of slightly higher quality than those from Polo Ralph Lauren.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Ralph Lauren and Polo Ralph Lauren are two iconic fashion brands that are known for their classic American style, high-quality materials, and attention to detail. While the two brands share many similarities, they each have their own unique style and characteristics.

In terms of quality, both brands use high-quality materials and pay close attention to detail. However, there are some differences in terms of construction and durability, with Ralph Lauren generally considered to be of slightly higher quality than Polo Ralph Lauren.

In terms of pricing, Polo Ralph Lauren is generally considered to be the more affordable of the two brands, with Ralph Lauren's products commanding a higher price point. However, the quality of Ralph Lauren's products is generally considered to be slightly higher than that of Polo Ralph Lauren.

Overall, while both brands are known for their high-quality products and classic American style, there are some differences in terms of quality, pricing, and construction that should be taken into account when choosing between the two.