Polo vs Ralph Lauren: What's the Difference?
Polo vs Ralph Lauren isn't a contest between two companies: Polo Ralph Lauren is not a separate company. It is one brand inside Ralph Lauren Corporation, which Ralph Lauren founded in 1967. "Polo" usually means the Polo Ralph Lauren line with its single polo player logo. Other labels sit at different prices and carry different product ranges.
Is Polo the Same as Ralph Lauren?
Ralph Lauren Corporation was founded in 1967 and describes itself as a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of luxury lifestyle products. Polo Ralph Lauren is one of its brand groups, not a separate company. The Polo shirt was introduced in 1972.
When people compare Polo Ralph Lauren vs Ralph Lauren, the word Polo usually means the Polo Ralph Lauren line, the one with the single polo player logo. Ralph Lauren Corporation also runs other labels at different prices and product ranges.
Ralph Lauren Labels Explained
Ralph Lauren labels can confuse shoppers because several lines share the Ralph Lauren name. The current corporate brand directory groups the names under Ralph Lauren Luxury, Polo Ralph Lauren, Lauren Ralph Lauren, and Chaps. The lines differ in what they make, where they're sold and, in Lauren's case, a price point Ralph Lauren itself calls more accessible.
| Label | Group | What it covers | Where it's sold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ralph Lauren Collection | Ralph Lauren Luxury | Women's luxury collection | Ralph Lauren stores, select specialty stores, RalphLauren.com |
| Ralph Lauren Purple Label | Ralph Lauren Luxury | Men's luxury tailoring and sportswear, including made-to-measure suits | Ralph Lauren stores, select specialty stores, RalphLauren.com |
| Double RL (RRL) | Ralph Lauren Luxury | Men's and women's heritage line: selvedge denim, vintage apparel, sportswear | Double RL stores, select Ralph Lauren stores, specialty stores, RalphLauren.com |
| Polo Ralph Lauren | Polo Ralph Lauren | Men's, women's and children's line with the polo player logo; also RLX golf and Pink Pony | Polo and Ralph Lauren stores, department and specialty stores, RalphLauren.com |
| Lauren Ralph Lauren | Lauren Ralph Lauren | Women's sportswear, denim and dresses at a more accessible price point; men's tailored clothing | Select department stores, RalphLauren.com (women's) |
| Chaps | Chaps | Classic collections for men, women, children and home; licensed to OVED Group from Fall 2021 | Select department stores and retail partner sites in the US, Canada and Mexico |
Source: Ralph Lauren Corporation brand directory, accessed October 18, 2026.
- Ralph Lauren Luxury includes Collection, Purple Label, Double RL, and Ralph Lauren Home.
- Polo Ralph Lauren includes men's and women's Polo, Children, RLX, and Pink Pony.
- Lauren Ralph Lauren includes women's sportswear, denim, dresses, accessories, footwear, and men's tailored clothing.
- Chaps covers men's, women's, children's, and home collections.
Purple Label, Collection and Double RL
Ralph Lauren Luxury groups several labels at the top of the lineup. Ralph Lauren Collection is women's and is described as the highest expression of chic, feminine glamour. Ralph Lauren Purple Label is described as the ultimate expression of luxury for the modern gentleman and includes hand-tailored suiting and made-to-measure suits in Savile Row traditions. Double RL is named after Ralph and Ricky Lauren's RRL ranch in Colorado and focuses on selvedge denim, vintage apparel, and sportswear for men and women. Ralph Lauren Home also sits in this group.
Polo Ralph Lauren
Polo Ralph Lauren covers men's and women's Polo. The line is known for its polo player logo. It is sold in Polo and Ralph Lauren stores, department and specialty stores, and on RalphLauren.com. The group also includes Polo Ralph Lauren Children, RLX for golf, and Pink Pony, a cancer initiative established in 2000 with a pink polo player.
On RalphLauren.com in October 2026, the Classic Fit Mesh Polo was listed at $115 and The Iconic Mesh Polo at $118.
Lauren Ralph Lauren vs Ralph Lauren
The difference between Ralph Lauren and Lauren Ralph Lauren comes down to price positioning and where each line is sold. Lauren Ralph Lauren is positioned at a more accessible price point. For women, Lauren includes sportswear, denim, dresses, accessories and footwear. For men, Lauren focuses on tailored clothing such as suits, sport coats, dress shirts, tuxedos and ties.
Distribution is narrower. Lauren is sold in select department stores and on RalphLauren.com. Men's Lauren is available in select department stores in North America and Europe. Ralph Lauren Luxury and Polo Ralph Lauren are separate brand groups with their own product ranges.
Chaps
Chaps is another Ralph Lauren Corporation brand. It offers classic collections for men, women, children and home in select department stores and retail partner sites in the US, Canada and Mexico. Ralph Lauren entered a multi-year licensing partnership with OVED Group to manufacture, market and distribute Chaps menswear and womenswear, effective Fall 2021.
What About Green Label and Blue Label?
The Ralph Lauren Green Label and Blue Label names appear on older and resale pieces. The current Ralph Lauren corporate brand pages, checked October 18, 2026, do not list either label, and no official dates or descriptions appear there. Treat seller claims about Green Label or Blue Label with care, and inspect the physical label.
How to Read a Ralph Lauren Label
A Ralph Lauren label guide starts with the neck label, not the logo. The line name is usually printed there: Polo Ralph Lauren, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Double RL, or Chaps. If you are shopping resale, compare that wording against current product pages on RalphLauren.com. A single color, logo, or seller title does not give you the full picture.
Some older pieces carry names that are not in the current brand directory. The label itself is the best first check, and a clear line name gives you more than a general Ralph Lauren description.
- Look for the line name on the neck label.
- Compare with current RalphLauren.com product pages.
- Treat older or resale label names like Green Label or Blue Label as unverified unless the physical label is clear.
Not to Be Confused With U.S. Polo Assn.
U.S. Polo Assn. is not part of Ralph Lauren Corporation. It is the official sports brand of the United States Polo Association, which was founded in 1890, and it is managed by USPA Global. The logos are an easy way to tell them apart: U.S. Polo Assn. uses two riders chasing a ball, while Polo Ralph Lauren uses a single polo player.
For a fuller breakdown, see EastLyst's U.S. Polo Assn. vs. Ralph Lauren comparison.
How to Get the Classic Polo Look
A polo shirt is a knit shirt with a collar and a short buttoned placket. Pique is a textured cotton knit often used for classic polo styles. Pay attention to collar shape, placket length, and fabric weight.
You don't need a logo for the look. EastLyst's own polo shirts include the Relaxed Wool-Blend Cable Knit Polo Shirt, a black knit polo with cable-knit texture, short sleeves, and a buttoned placket. There is also the Double-Faced Fleece Polo Pullover, a long-sleeve black polo collar pullover in double-faced fleece. These are EastLyst's own styles; EastLyst does not sell Ralph Lauren products.
Browse men's tops and polos or men's classic style for more collar-and-placket options.
EastLyst is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Ralph Lauren Corporation. Brand names are used for identification purposes only.
FAQ
Is Polo the same as Ralph Lauren?
Polo Ralph Lauren is a brand inside Ralph Lauren Corporation, not a separate company. Ralph Lauren founded the corporation in 1967. When people say Polo in this context, they usually mean the Polo Ralph Lauren line with the single polo player logo. Other labels like Purple Label and Lauren sit at different prices and product ranges.
What is the difference between Ralph Lauren and Lauren Ralph Lauren?
Lauren Ralph Lauren is a more accessible line from Ralph Lauren Corporation. Women's Lauren includes sportswear, denim, dresses, accessories and footwear. Men's Lauren focuses on tailored clothing such as suits, sport coats, dress shirts, tuxedos and ties. It is sold in select department stores and on RalphLauren.com. Ralph Lauren Luxury and Polo Ralph Lauren are separate groups.
What is Ralph Lauren Purple Label?
Ralph Lauren Purple Label is part of the Ralph Lauren Luxury group. Ralph Lauren Corporation calls it the ultimate expression of luxury for the modern gentleman. It includes hand-tailored suiting and made-to-measure suits in Savile Row traditions. Ralph Lauren Home, Ralph Lauren Collection, and Double RL are also in the Luxury group.
What is Ralph Lauren Green Label?
The Green Label and Blue Label names appear on older and resale pieces. Ralph Lauren's current corporate brand pages, checked October 18, 2026, do not list either line, and no official dates or descriptions are published there. Treat seller claims with care and check the physical label for the line name.
Is Chaps owned by Ralph Lauren?
Yes. Chaps is part of Ralph Lauren Corporation's brand portfolio. It offers classic collections for men, women, children and home. The brand is sold in select department stores and retail partner sites in the US, Canada and Mexico. Ralph Lauren has a multi-year licensing partnership with OVED Group effective Fall 2021.
Is U.S. Polo Assn. part of Ralph Lauren?
No. U.S. Polo Assn. is a different company and is not part of Ralph Lauren Corporation. It is the official sports brand of the United States Polo Association, founded in 1890 and managed by USPA Global. Its two-rider logo differs from Polo Ralph Lauren's single polo player logo.
When did the Ralph Lauren polo shirt come out?
The Ralph Lauren polo shirt was introduced in 1972, according to RalphLauren.com product copy. That was five years after Ralph Lauren Corporation was founded in 1967.