Ralph Lauren Vs. Polo Ralph Lauren: What’s The Difference?
The Ralph Lauren Corporation is a global leader in the world of luxury and sophisticated fashion.
The brand was founded in New York City and has been a household name since its inception in 1967.
At the heart of this iconic brand is its founder, American fashion designer Ralph Lifshitz (aka Ralph Lauren), who reinvented the clothing industry with his classic designs and innovative vision.
Interestingly, the corporation has two distinct yet intertwined brands under its umbrella: Ralph Lauren and Polo Ralph Lauren.
Both have made significant strides in influencing trends and shaping the global fashion landscape.
While many people are familiar with the Ralph Lauren Corporation and its flagship Ralph Lauren brand, there’s often confusion regarding the distinction between Ralph Lauren and Polo Ralph Lauren.
Each one holds a unique place within the corporation and appeals to different audiences.
Polo Ralph Lauren is essentially a sub-brand of the Ralph Lauren company and focuses primarily on sport-inspired casual wear, while the Ralph Lauren brand encompasses a wider range of apparel, from high-end fashion to loungewear.
Today, we’ll take a closer look into the world of Ralph Lauren and explore the differences between Ralph Lauren and Polo Ralph Lauren, as well as the U.S. Polo Assn, to provide a clearer understanding of each brand’s unique identity and offerings.
We’ll go over their history, philosophy, and target markets, and shed light on these prestigious labels and their respective positions within the fashion industry.
Ralph Lauren Vs Polo Ralph Lauren
Main Differences
Ralph Lauren and Polo Ralph Lauren belong to the same family of brands but cater to different segments.
Ralph Lauren Collection is a high-end, luxury apparel line, offering designs for men and women, fragrance products, home furnishings, leather goods, and more.
It showcases exquisite and timeless designs that reflect the brand’s rich heritage.
Polo Ralph Lauren is a sub-brand of Ralph Lauren focusing on sporty garments with a more laid-back feel.
Polo Ralph Lauren is arguably the most famous fashion sub-brand with its iconic polo shirt and preppy style defining its identity.
Additionally, the Polo Ralph Lauren line tends to be a bit more wallet-friendly than the Ralph Lauren line.
Key Offerings From Both Brands
The Ralph Lauren Collection is the epitome of timeless style, elegance, and luxury in the fashion world.
Known for its high quality materials and impeccable craftsmanship, the collection offers a wide range of products that cater to both men and women.
Featuring items such as tailored clothing, evening wear, and various accessories, the Ralph Lauren Collection is a symbol of sophistication and style.
Polo Ralph Lauren focuses on more casual items such as sportswear, and classic, versatile pieces at a more affordable price point.
Polo Ralph Lauren is a favorite among fashion-savvy consumers looking for a combination of timeless style and current trends without the hefty price tag.
However, Ralph Lauren’s polo shirt has always been touted as one of the best polo shirts one can buy.
The RL polos come in various colors and fabrics and are available in several of their product lines.
Brand Identity and Logos
The Ralph Lauren brand has a very distinctive image.
One of the key aspects contributing to the Polo brand identity is the Polo Player Logo.
This logo showcases a mounted polo player energetically swinging a mallet.
The image embodies not just the sport of polo, but also a sense of sophistication, timeless elegance, and aspirational success.
While both Ralph Lauren and Polo Ralph Lauren incorporate the distinctive polo player in their brand logos, there are subtle differences between the two.
The table below summarizes these differences:
| Brand | Logo Description |
|---|---|
| Ralph Lauren | Monochromatic color scheme with a single mounted polo player |
| Polo Ralph Lauren | Two-toned color scheme with a mounted polo player and “POLO” text |
Target Market
Both Ralph Lauren and Polo Ralph Lauren appeal to consumers with distinct fashion preferences and purchasing power.
However, Ralph Lauren targets those who seek luxury goods and high-end clothing, typically catering to:
- Affluent professionals
- Fashion enthusiasts
- Luxury shoppers
On the other hand, Polo Ralph Lauren is geared toward those interested in comfortable, casual, and functional clothing with a sporty touch.
Their target market includes:
- Casual and sportswear consumers
- College students and young adults
- Budget-conscious shoppers who want a touch of luxury
Price Point
When it comes to Ralph Lauren vs Polo Ralph Lauren in terms of price point, their different target markets create a clear discrepancy in the price tags of their items.
To illustrate the pricing differences, below is a comparison table of similar clothing items from both brands:
| Clothing Item | Ralph Lauren (USD) | Polo Ralph Lauren (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Dress Shirt | 125-200 | 60-120 |
| Casual Button-down | 95-175 | 45-100 |
| Sweater | 150-400 | 50-125 |
| Polo Shirt | 80-150 | 40-90 |
| Jeans | 125-225 | 60-140 |
Fashion Lines and Styles
Aside from Polo Ralph Lauren and Ralph Lauren, there are also a few other sub-brands as well which include:
- Ralph Lauren Purple Label
The Ralph Lauren Purple Label offers a premium and more formal collection of clothing.
This luxury line features classic styles such as tailored suits, dress shirts, and elegant accessories.
A notable item in this collection is the timeless tuxedo, often crafted from high-quality materials like wool or silk.
The attention to detail in the Purple Label is unmatched, resulting in garments that exude sophistication and refinement.
- Polo Sport
Polo Sport is a dynamic and casual line within the Ralph Lauren brand, designed to cater to those with an active lifestyle.
With athletic-inspired clothing and accessories, Polo Sport offers a stylish approach to activewear.
It features various products such as:
- Gym essentials
- Tracksuits
- Running shoes
- Technical outerwear
The sport of polo is also represented in this collection, with the iconic Polo Ralph Lauren polo shirt as a staple item.
These polo shirts remain popular for their comfort, diverse color options, and easy versatility when it comes to dressing them up or down.
- Polo Golf
For golf enthusiasts, Polo Golf brings together style and performance.
Designed specifically with golfers in mind, the collection incorporates both traditional and modern elements, resulting in apparel that is both fashionable and functional on the course.
Some highlights from the Polo Golf collection include:
- Classic polo shirts
- Golf pants
- Lightweight jackets
- Golf accessories such as hats and gloves
The Polo Golf collection also features collaborations with notable professional golfers, showcasing their style on and off the course while raising the bar in golf fashion.
- Polo Ralph Lauren Children
Polo Ralph Lauren children is considered a preppy and polished line dedicated to children.
They carry everything from dresses and skirts to shoes, khakis, accessories, and more.
- Double RL
Double RL is yet another sub-brand of Ralph lauren which is their line with pieces that have a more vintage look and some southwestern flair.
Think western boots, leather gloves, patchwork shawls, and more.
- Lauren Ralph Lauren
Lauren Ralph Lauren is simply the lime of clothing offered by the brand that caters specifically to women.
Dresses, pants, skirts, and much more are all available both on their website as well as at many other department stores.
All of these brands can be found online, in Ralph Lauren stores, and at retail stores such as Macy’s, Dillards, Bloomingdales, etc.
Legal and Trademark Issues
Over the years, Ralph Lauren and the United States Polo Association (USPA) have been involved in a series of legal battles related to trademark infringement.
Both entities are well-known in the fashion industry, with Ralph Lauren being a luxury fashion brand and the US Polo Assn serving as the USPA’s official brand.
In the past, the USPA has faced accusations of imitating the Polo Ralph Lauren logo, leading to consumer confusion.
The Polo Ralph Lauren logo features a polo player on a horse, and the US Polo Assn logo also showcases a similar figure, albeit in a slightly different design.
Due to the similar logos, legal disputes have arisen, with Ralph Lauren often seeking court orders to protect its trademark.
One of these court orders constitutes a permanent injunction, which aims to prohibit the US Polo Assn from using a logo that closely resembles the Polo Ralph Lauren design.
U.S. Polo Assn
Lastly, it is essential to not confuse Polo Ralph Lauren with the U.S. Polo Assn.
Contrary to a common belief, they are not the same company.
Polo Ralph Lauren is a fashion brand while the u.s. polo association is the official sporting organization representing American polo in over 90 countries.
U.S. Polo Assn. was founded in 1890, and its mission is to promote and develop the game of Polo.
Though it sells merchandise, the focus of the organization is on supporting polo events and activities rather than becoming a major player in the fashion industry.
Conclusion
When comparing Ralph Lauren vs Polo Ralph Lauren there is one thing that’s for sure – the quality of the pieces is exceptional.
Both Ralph Lauren and Polo Ralph Lauren offer products for a wide range of customers, but while the two brands may have started as one, they have since evolved to cater to different audiences.
Ralph Lauren is a fashion company known for its sophisticated and classic American style, high-quality materials, and attention to detail.
On the other hand, Polo Ralph Lauren focuses on providing high-quality apparel with a more casual and sporty style with an emphasis on comfort and practicality.
In the end, both are great brands that cater to different lifestyles and personal style preferences.
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