Is U.S. Polo Assn. the Same as Ralph Lauren? Logos, Prices & Fit
U.S. Polo or Ralph Lauren? They're separate companies. U.S. Polo Assn. is the official sports brand of the United States Polo Association; Polo Ralph Lauren is a Ralph Lauren label. One rider means Ralph Lauren, two riders chasing a ball mean U.S. Polo Assn. U.S. Polo Assn. typically costs far less than Polo Ralph Lauren.
One naming note: "Assn." is short for "Association." If you've seen it read as "Polo Assassin," that's the same U.S. Polo Assn. brand. And when people say "Polo" on its own, they usually mean Polo Ralph Lauren.
U.S. Polo Assn. vs Ralph Lauren: Quick Comparison
| U.S. Polo Assn. | Polo Ralph Lauren | |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership and history | Official sports brand of the United States Polo Association (founded 1890), run by USPA Global, a USPA subsidiary | A label of Ralph Lauren, founded in 1967; the Polo shirt dates to 1972 |
| Logo | "Double Horsemen": two mounted players going for the ball | The Pony: one mounted player with a raised mallet, embroidered at the left chest |
| Price range (polo shirt) | Lower price point | Premium price point |
| Materials and build | Solid Pique Small Logo Polo: 100% cotton pique, ribbed collar, side vents | Classic Fit Mesh Polo: 100% cotton mesh, collar with striped tipping, tennis tail |
| Fit options | Regular fit and slim fit | Classic Fit, Custom Slim Fit and Slim Fit |
| Where it's sold | About 1,200 brand stores plus department stores, sporting goods shops and online in 190+ countries | RalphLauren.com, Ralph Lauren stores and Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Stores |
Who Owns U.S. Polo Assn.? Is It Part of Ralph Lauren?
No. The United States Polo Association has governed the sport in the US since 1890. Its clothing brand is managed by USPA Global, a subsidiary of the association, and in May 2026 the brand reported a record $2.7 billion in worldwide retail sales for 2025. It also sponsors the U.S. Open Polo Championship.
Ralph Lauren founded his company in 1967. Polo Ralph Lauren is the line most people mean when they say "Ralph Lauren polo," but the company also runs other labels such as Purple Label and Double RL, so check which label a price refers to. See our guide to Ralph Lauren's labels for how Polo Ralph Lauren compares with other Ralph Lauren lines.
The trademark fight, in court-record order
The two have been in court over the polo-player imagery for four decades. The rulings explain why the logos look the way they do today:
- 1984: In U.S. Polo Ass'n v. Polo Fashions (S.D.N.Y.), Judge Leonard Sand found that the USPA and its licensees infringed the Polo marks. The order still let the association run a licensing program under its own name with a mounted-player symbol "distinctive" from Ralph Lauren's "in its content and perspective."
- 1996 to 2006: The USPA started using versions of its Double Horsemen logo, and Ralph Lauren sued. A 2003 settlement resolved most issues. At trial in 2006, a jury found that three of the four Double Horsemen versions did not infringe for apparel, leather goods and watches. The Second Circuit affirmed in 2008.
- 2011 to 2013: Fragrance went the other way. Judge Robert Sweet ruled in 2011 that the Double Horsemen on men's fragrance infringed, a permanent injunction followed in March 2012, and the Second Circuit affirmed in 2013.
So U.S. Polo Assn. is a legitimate brand that can sell clothing with its two-rider logo, but within limits the courts drew product category by product category.
U.S. Polo Assn. vs Ralph Lauren Logo: How to Tell Them Apart
Count the horses. The Ralph Lauren Pony is a single player on one horse. The U.S. Polo Assn. Double Horsemen shows two players chasing a ball, and the brand name or "USPA" usually appears with it.
Shop the look
These are EastLyst picks from our own store. No affiliate links.
Small chest embroidery can be hard to read in product photos, so zoom in and check the neck label and the seller before you buy.
U.S. Polo Assn. vs Polo: Price and Quality
We compared the closest equivalents on each brand's US site on October 18, 2026. Prices change with sales, so use these as a snapshot:
- Polo Ralph Lauren Classic Fit Mesh Polo Shirt (style 583006) sits at the premium price point.
- Polo Ralph Lauren The Iconic Mesh Polo Shirt and Custom Slim Fit Stretch Mesh Polo carry the premium price point, with some colors often on sale.
- U.S. Polo Assn. Solid Pique Small Logo Polo Shirt comes in at a lower price point and is often on sale.
- U.S. Polo Assn. Slim Fit Solid Pique Polo Shirt comes in at a lower price point.
At full price, the Ralph Lauren shirt costs a little under three times as much. Both are 100% cotton with a ribbed collar and a two-button placket. The listings differ in knit (mesh vs pique) and details like Ralph Lauren's longer back hem. Nobody has published a lab durability test of the two, so price alone won't tell you which lasts longer.
Fit and sizing
Ralph Lauren publishes measurements for its Classic Fit: cut fuller through the chest, waist and sleeve, with a lower armhole. A medium has a 44" chest, 18" shoulder and 28.5" front length. Custom Slim and Slim sit closer to the body. U.S. Polo Assn. lists its Solid Pique Small Logo Polo as a regular fit and sells separate slim-fit polos, some with a little stretch in the cotton.
Don't assume your size carries over from one brand to the other. Lay a polo you already like flat, measure chest and length, and compare that with the chart. Our clothing size guide explains body vs garment measurements.
U.S. Polo or Ralph Lauren: Which Should You Buy?
Choose U.S. Polo Assn. if...
Go with U.S. Polo Assn. if you want several everyday cotton polos without spending much, or if you like a sporty look tied to the real sport. Sale prices make it easy to buy a few colors. The brand also covers men, women and kids, and its stores and wholesale partners make it easy to find in person in many countries.
Choose Polo Ralph Lauren if...
Pick Polo Ralph Lauren if you want the single-Pony logo, the cotton mesh the brand has sold since 1972, and a choice of three fits backed by published measurements. You pay a premium at full price, so it makes more sense for a polo you plan to wear for years, or when your color goes on sale.
Shopping U.S. Polo Assn. at EastLyst
EastLyst stocks U.S. Polo Assn. but not Ralph Lauren. For a short-sleeve polo, see the U.S. Polo Assn. Men's Cooling Short Sleeve Polo Shirt or the U.S. Polo Assn. Women's Breathable Short Sleeve Polo Shirt. If you'd rather have a button-down for work, try the Men's Lightweight Long Sleeve Dress Shirt or the Men's Lightweight Business Casual Shirt. Check each product page for current colors, sizes and fabric.
If you want an unbranded polo instead, try our Slim Fit Sports Polo Shirt, or browse men's tops and shirts, women's tops and shirts and men's classic style.
Sources
- U.S. Polo Assn. company information
- Ralph Lauren Corporation brands
- PRL USA Holdings, Inc. v. United States Polo Association, Inc., 520 F.3d 109 (2d Cir. 2008)
- United States Polo Ass'n v. PRL USA Holdings, Inc., 800 F. Supp. 2d 515 (S.D.N.Y. 2011)
- Second Circuit summary order affirming the 2012 judgment (2013)
- RalphLauren.com and USPoloAssn.com product pages, checked October 18, 2026
EastLyst is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Ralph Lauren Corporation. Brand names are used for identification purposes only.
Frequently asked questions
Is U.S. Polo Assn. the same as Ralph Lauren?
No. U.S. Polo Assn. is the official sports brand of the United States Polo Association, which has governed U.S. polo since 1890. Its apparel is managed by USPA Global. Ralph Lauren is a separate fashion company founded by Ralph Lauren in 1967. The logos differ: one rider for Ralph Lauren, two riders chasing a ball for U.S. Polo Assn.
Should I buy U.S. Polo or Ralph Lauren?
It depends on what you want. U.S. Polo Assn. pique polos list at a moderate price and often sell for far less, so they work if you want several everyday cotton polos. Polo Ralph Lauren mesh polos carry a premium price and offer three fits with published measurements. Choose the one that matches your budget, fit, and logo preference.
Is Polo the same thing as Ralph Lauren?
"Polo" usually means Polo Ralph Lauren, a Ralph Lauren label. U.S. Polo Assn., sometimes shortened to USPA, is a separate company tied to the United States Polo Association. The two use different logos: Polo Ralph Lauren has a single rider, while U.S. Polo Assn. shows two riders going for a ball.
Is U.S. Polo Assn. a legitimate brand?
Yes. U.S. Polo Assn. is the licensed sports brand of the United States Polo Association. Courts have reviewed the polo-player imagery over four decades. A 2006 jury found that three of four Double Horsemen versions did not infringe for apparel, leather goods, and watches. A 2011 ruling barred the Double Horsemen logo on men's fragrance.
Which logo has one horse and which has two?
Polo Ralph Lauren uses one rider on one horse, often called the Pony. U.S. Polo Assn. uses two riders chasing a ball, sometimes called the Double Horsemen. The brand name or "USPA" usually appears with the two-rider logo. Small chest embroidery can be hard to read, so zoom in and check the neck label.
How much is a Ralph Lauren polo vs a U.S. Polo Assn. polo?
Polo Ralph Lauren mesh polos listed at a premium price on RalphLauren.com. U.S. Polo Assn. pique polos listed at a moderate price on USPoloAssn.com, often on sale. At full price, the Ralph Lauren shirt costs far more.
Is U.S. Polo Assn. a luxury brand?
It isn't priced like one. U.S. Polo Assn. pique polos listed at a moderate price, often on sale. The brand is the official sports brand of the United States Polo Association and sells everyday cotton polos for men, women, and kids. Polo Ralph Lauren mesh polos listed at a premium price.
Do U.S. Polo Assn. and Ralph Lauren fit the same?
Not necessarily. Polo Ralph Lauren offers Classic, Custom Slim, and Slim fits. Its Classic Fit medium has a 44" chest, 18" shoulder, and 28.5" front length. U.S. Polo Assn. sells regular and slim-fit polos, some with stretch. Don't assume your size carries over. Measure a polo you already like and compare it with the brand's size chart.