How To Score Vintage Ralph Lauren This Fall: From Polo To Purple Label
There’s a reason Ralph Lauren has outlasted countless fashion trends. While other brands chase relevance with flashy collabs and trend cycles that barely last a season, Ralph Lauren has done something much harder: he built a world.
A world where elegance is easy, fall feels like it should be lived inside a cozy film, and the clothes feel romantic, effortless, and comfortable.
And here’s the good news: you don’t have to spend thousands at the flagship store on Madison Avenue or the beautiful museum-like store at Chicago’s Magnificent Mile to take part in that world. Some of Ralph Lauren’s best pieces are hiding in thrift stores, vintage boutiques, and online resale sites.
Fall, with its tweeds, knits, and leather, is the perfect season to embrace vintage Ralph Lauren. But before you dive in, you need a roadmap, because the world of Ralph Lauren labels is both vast and, at times, confusing. Not every label is worth the same; some may be worth a fortune while others are an easy skip. So before you dive into the thrift stores and archives, this guide breaks down everything (yes, everything) you need to know.
This is your ultimate guide to shopping Ralph Lauren vintage: which labels matter, which pieces are worth collecting, how to style them for today, and why fifty years later Ralph Lauren remains the quintessential symbol of Americana.
Why Ralph Lauren Is Always in Season
Ralph Lauren has always been more than a designer. He’s the unofficial Americana storyteller. From his ranch in Colorado to his New England estate, his clothes reflect an entire mythology of American life. He sells not just a blazer but the idea of autumn on an Ivy League campus; not just denim but the rugged romance of the West.
For the past half-century, he’s done something rare: created a brand that bridges divides in a country in continuous cultural and political division. Whether you come from money or you’re thrifting in your twenties, Ralph Lauren feels accessible yet aspirational. It’s polished without being stuffy, practical without losing its poetry. In a country that’s spent decades growing more fragmented, Ralph Lauren has remained oddly unifying and perhaps for this alone it deserves all our love.
Which Labels Are Worth Collecting
If you’ve ever flipped through the racks at a thrift store, you know the Ralph Lauren name well. But not all labels are created equal. Ralph Lauren has introduced and discontinued over a dozen sub-labels over the years. Some are investment-worthy, others are fun if you love the look but won’t carry much resale value.
Here’s a breakdown of the 13 Ralph Lauren labels you’re most likely to encounter:
1. Polo Ralph Lauren
The most iconic line. Think preppy staples: button-down oxfords, cable-knit sweaters, polo shirts.
Investment value: Moderate. Certain pieces (like vintage sweaters and rare colorways) are cult favorites.
Tip: Look for older tags (especially 80s–90s) with “Made in USA” or “Made in Italy.” The quality is noticeably better.
2. Ralph Lauren Purple Label
The crown jewel of Ralph Lauren. This is their high-end luxury line, comparable to European fashion houses.
Investment value: High. Tailoring, fabrics, and craftsmanship are superb.
Tip: If you find a Purple Label blazer while thrifting, consider it a jackpot.
3. RRL (Double RL)
Inspired by vintage Americana and workwear. Think rugged denim, military jackets, and cowboy-style boots.
Investment value: Very high. RRL is beloved by collectors.
Tip: Anything RRL, especially denim or leather, is worth grabbing.
4. Lauren Ralph Lauren
Created as the more affordable line, often found in department stores.
Investment value: Low. Quality is decent, but not collectible.
Tip: Don’t dismiss it. The design is consistent with the beauty of the other labels, but the quality is comparable to Gap or Banana Republic.
5. Chaps by Ralph Lauren
The budget-friendly line launched in the 70s.
Investment value: Low. Resale is minimal.
Tip: Good for personal wear if you love the style, but don’t expect it to appreciate in value.
6. Rugby Ralph Lauren
A short-lived line from the 2000s. Think collegiate prep with a rebellious twist.
Investment value: Medium. Cult following among Y2K fans (which is currently in style!)
Tip: Oversized rugby shirts are trending again so you might get lucky reselling.
7. RLX Ralph Lauren
Performance and sportswear line. More technical, sleek, and modern.
Investment value: Low to moderate, depending on condition.
Tip: Great if you want function and Ralph Lauren branding.
8. Ralph Lauren Collection
High-fashion women’s line, shown on runways. Luxurious fabrics and couture-level tailoring.
Investment value: High. A wool coat or silk dress from this line is worth keeping.
Tip: If you don’t find it in your size, it is worth tailoring.
9. Polo Sport
90s athletic line. Sweatshirts, windbreakers, and track jackets.
Investment value: Medium to high, especially the more graphic logo pieces.
Tip: Resale prices are rising thanks to 90s nostalgia.
10. Denim & Supply
Launched in the 2010s, focused on younger, bohemian, and festival-inspired looks.
Investment value: Medium. Certain items, like embroidered jackets, are cult favorites.
11. Club Monaco (acquired by RL in 1999, sold in 2021)
Minimalist, urban, polished basics.
Investment value: Low as vintage RL, but high-quality fabrics.
12. RL Home
Not clothing, but worth mentioning.
Investment value: Vintage RL blankets, throws, and bedding have high resale value as they are high quality and cult classics.
Special Collaborations
Ralph Lauren has always known how to take his timeless aesthetic and weave it into cultural moments through collaborations. These limited-edition releases are some of the most collectible pieces in the Ralph Lauren universe because they blend heritage with rarity.
U.S. Olympic Team: Ralph Lauren has designed the official uniforms for the American athletes since 2008. Each Olympic collection features tailored blazers, classic sweaters, and sporty accessories that become instant collector’s items. Pieces with the Olympic crest or dated embroidery hold both patriotic and fashion value.
Supreme x Ralph Lauren (2018): This unlikely pairing was one of the most hyped collabs of the decade. It combined Polo’s 90s prep aesthetic with Supreme’s streetwear clout. Items like the plaid puffer jacket, graphic hoodies, and corduroy camp caps skyrocketed in resale value and remain coveted prizes for collectors.
Palace x Ralph Lauren (2018): The British skate brand teamed up with Polo to create a capsule that blended skate culture with classic Americana. Think Polo Bear sweaters with a skate twist, tartan shirts, and oversized rugby tops. It sold out instantly and continues to fetch high resale prices.
Stadium & Snow Beach Reissues: Originally released in the early 90s as part of Polo Sport, these capsule collections were reissued in the late 2010s due to overwhelming demand. The bold graphics, color-blocked outerwear, and logo-heavy pieces are cult favorites among vintage Polo fans.
Fortnite x Ralph Lauren (2022): In a surprising modern move, Ralph Lauren designed both digital and physical collections for the gaming community. While playful, these pieces highlight Ralph Lauren’s ability to stay culturally relevant even in Gen Z spaces.
Charity & Anniversary Capsules: Limited drops like the Ralph Lauren 50th Anniversary Collection or fundraising collaborations (e.g., breast cancer awareness polos) are also highly collectible because of their small production runs and storytelling power.
Investment value: Extremely high. Limited runs and cultural crossovers make these collabs some of the most valuable Ralph Lauren pieces on the secondary market. If you stumble upon one in good condition, hold onto it. It’s a piece of both fashion and cultural history and it’s likely worth a good amount of money.
Materials and Craftsmanship: What to Look For
Ralph Lauren’s genius isn’t just aesthetic, it’s in the fabrics. When thrifting, train your fingers before your eyes. Feel for weight, texture, and softness. Some clues of a high-quality find:
Wool and Cashmere Sweaters: Look for tightly woven knits, not loose or scratchy.
Tweed Blazers: Older Polo Ralph Lauren blazers often rival Savile Row in structure.
Leather Jackets: RRL leather is especially collectible, due to the fact that it's thick, supple, and built to last decades.
Silk Shirts: Ralph Lauren silk has a heavier drape and is never flimsy.
If a piece is made in Italy, the U.S., or England, it’s usually a sign of higher craftsmanship than more recent outsourced production. So look at the tag and check where it was manufactured.
Where to Find Ralph Lauren Vintage
Thrift Stores & Estate Sales: Always worth a quick scan of the racks! You’ll be surprised how often Ralph Lauren pops up. I may be favored by the fashion gods, but I can assure you I always find at least one Ralph Lauren item in every trip to the thrift store.
Vintage Boutiques: Curated shops often have a better selection, especially in East Coast cities where prep style dominates. So if you find yourself in Boston, D.C., or NYC in the next few weeks, make a stop!
Online Marketplaces: eBay, Grailed, Poshmark, and The RealReal are treasure troves. Search by label and era. Knowing the labels will help you avoid overpaying for something that you now know belongs to the lower end labels.
How to Style Ralph Lauren Vintage
The magic of Ralph Lauren is that his pieces were never really trendy; they were always meant to be timeless. Still, when styling vintage, balance is key:
Mix Eras: Pair a 90s Polo blazer with modern denim and either flats, tennis shoes, or high heels, depending on the occasion.
Balance Preppy with Relaxed: A cable-knit sweater looks chic when half-tucked into wide-leg trousers or a pair of flowy silk pants.
Anchor with Neutrals: If you’re wearing a bold vintage Polo Sport piece, keep the rest of your look neutral and clean.
Lean Into Fall Textures: Tweed, corduroy, cashmere, suede, and wool all complement each other. Mixing these fabrics is a core aspect of the magic of fall, so don't be afraid to go all out in this area.
Keep the Three Pieces Rule: Rumor (and a TikTok) has it, that employees at the Ralph Lauren stores follow a ‘three-piece rule’: start with a base outfit, then add two finishing pieces. Think tee + jeans + one ‘third piece’—a belt, cap, cardigan, scarf, or blazer—and you’ve got an instantly polished RL look.
Think of Ralph Lauren less as “costume” and more as layering archetypes: the professor, the rancher, the prepster, the artist. When you combine them subtly, you get the effortless richness Ralph Lauren intended.
Ralph Lauren isn’t just clothes. It’s a dream of what American life is, has been, and could be. It's sophisticated yet free, rooted in tradition but open to reinvention.
In a culture often obsessed with tearing down symbols, Ralph Lauren’s world has endured because it offers something people crave: stability, beauty, and belonging. When you put on a vintage RL blazer, you’re not just getting dressed; you’re stepping into a story that’s fifty years in the making.
And perhaps that’s why Ralph Lauren has always been especially perfect for fall. Fall is the season of nostalgia, of pulling close to tradition while preparing for new beginnings. And nothing embodies the balance between classic yet alive, timeless yet wearable, quite like Ralph Lauren.
Final Thoughts
Shopping Ralph Lauren vintage isn’t just about saving money or collecting rare pieces. It’s about participating in a vision of style that has outlasted trends, decades, and divisions. Whether you’re scoring a $10 Polo sweater at a thrift store or investing in a Purple Label coat, you’re buying more than fabric; you’re buying into a legacy of elegance that feels, somehow, always relevant.