Ralph Lauren: What to Buy & Not to Buy - Brand Review

Want to stay updated? Sign up here for free:

Want to see more videos? Subscribe to our channel!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gentleman's Gazette
#RalphLauren #brandreview #notsponsored

SHOP THE VIDEO:

00:00 Introduction

Top Ralph Lauren Picks

03:49 Sweaters & Sweater Vests
Ralph Lauren is one of the few companies that offers really an extremely wide range of knits; whether it's a cable knit or an aran sweater, maybe a fair isle, knit vest inspired style, they have cool wools, they have cool styles with Shaw collars, cardigans, and really everything under the sun.

04:26 Double RL Brand
It's not usually carried in department stores, they are usually sold at specific stores; there's a great one in New York, I think it's their flagship store. It's mostly vintage Americana inspired work wear so lots of denim, lots of more casual garments with vintage influences but their suits are also very nice.

05:04 Swimwear
They are usually in classic patterns such as checks or they have like bold stripes and it's very hard to find a tasteful classically inspired pair of swim trunks from other brands.

05:23 Overcoats
Probably the most iconic piece is the Polo overcoat which works well with their name. It's kind of a camel hair coat and you've probably have seen an ad from them. Ironically, it's not sold on their website very often anymore so the best chance to find it is vintage on eBay or other places.

05:57 Vintage Polo Items:
Today, Polo Ralph Lauren is much more commercialized. It's mostly made in Asia, however, in the 80s, things were made in the US or in Italy or in England and oftentimes, to a higher standard; the yarns and the fabrics are better so they've stood the test of time. So if you find something from the 80s or 90s that you like and it goes with your style, don't be afraid of buying it, it's good stuff. Good items in this area are corduroys or sweaters, ties, suits, or even seersucker.

06:31 Shorts

07:01 Dress shoes:
Today, their purple label shoe line is usually made by Crockett & Jones, Edward Green or Graziano and Girling which are all high-end British makers.

07:25 Purple Label Suits & Jackets
Back in the day, they were made in England by Chester Barrry and crew and that's the suit I'm wearing here right now. It's really nice, it has a very 30s inspired style with wide lapels, it's tailored very softly so it's extremely comfortable just like a sweater and even though today, most of purple label's items are made in Italy and things have changed quite a bit, they're still at a high-quality level and I recommend them. Usually, those garments retail anywhere from $4,000-$6,000 or more. Now, I don't believe it's worth the retail price but sometimes, you can score bargains on eBay or on outlets.

08:28 Home Goods
They have anything from bed sheets to glasses to decorative items and while generally, their stuff is not of the utmost quality, it is good quality and it is a superb style.

08:57 Slacks
Especially, Polo has a range of corduroys for the winter that are unusual, many different colors, they also have great chinos.

What should you not buy from Ralph Lauren?

Polo Shirts: They are flimsy.
Dress shirts: They fit weirdly.
Anything with Big Logos: Simply obnoxious.
Activewear: Does not work!
T-shirts: Overpriced

[asspastor]

I like this brand review idea. Would like to see Brooks Brothers.

[roberthonan]

One of the things I love about RL is that they are one of the few better men's wear companies that doesn't forget the Big & Tall market.

[angeloelimelech]

Don't insult the Polo Bear! It's iconic! 🐻 But I agree with the other things you've mentioned. And finally someone said it: RL Swimwear is fantastic and the designs are spot on!

[TinyDiodes]

I always love your elegant criticism. It's not overly sarcastic or snarky but simply to the point and honest. It's just critical enough and used sparingly enough to have me laughing out loud. <3

[mrvk]

In the late 90s, when I was doing my first internship in finance in NYC, I went to a department store and bought my first two suits, on deep sale. They happened to be Polo RL suits. Great suits! One charcoal solid and another pinstripe navy. I wore them to every interview and business meeting for internships and first job interviews and a few years later. Then, I decided I could afford nicer suits and gave up those to Goodwill and got some department brand suits. What a mistake! Polo suits were real, fully canvased, good wool construction made in the USA. The department store brands in the 2000s were all China and fused.

[Jack_all]

do a video on how to style Air Jordans, that would be hilarious!

[bakwoodz]

ralph lauren is a brand that stood the test of time, even tho you dont like bears and the more urban stuff, thats the stuff i collect, LO LIFE.

[drezdogge]

I just bought a Ralph Lauren purple label suit from a thrift store for $7.99. I'll have to put 200 into it for tailoring but it fits in the important areas. I almost passed it over because I thought Ralph Lauren was overrated but I'm already in love with this suit. One thing I do love of theirs is those children's clothes. My servicen dog is hairless and the he has a number of Ralph Lauren shirts that look nice under his service gear that keeps him warm but looks nice with me wearing a suit

[MisterRorschach]

I grew up hating Ralph Lauren. I saw it as “old people clothing” and wanted to wear more trendy young brands like hollister and American eagle. Then I found the purple label and fell in love with it. I’ve been reading about Ralph Lauren and I found he didn’t even get interested in the fashion business until he was in his 30s. And boy oh boy if it were possible, I’d love to make my own fashion line or brand. I have so many ideas.

[DemonDappz]

as someone who wears ralph lauren a lot their hoodies are one thing that is definitely worth it. The fit is always perfect and there are very comfortable with the neck area not restricted unlike most hoodies

[AwkwardZaini]

What to buy from
1. Sweater and sweater vest
2. Double RL brand
3. Swimwear
4. overcoat
5. Vintage polo items
6. Shorts
7. Dress shoe
8. Purple label suits and jacket
9. Home goods
10. Slacks

[eroddickONE]

Love this format. With all its sub-brands, RL lends itself well to this style review. Other similar broad brands like Armani, Brooks Brothers, and Zegna would be great as well.

[BobbyReed]

In Marvin Traub's auto-bio, I think I remember him recounting the episode when he was originally going to carry RL ties, but wanted the Bloomingdale's label added. Ralph passed, came back a year later, and got his own shop. The power of patience + the occasional NO. Your mentions are, as always, spot on. I so agee. I have a lot of Ralph, always reliable and stylish. The (rare) Polo silk cable-knit sweaters are a personal fav. Thanks for another great vid.

[ialeg]

Great work! You can't often find someone with your level of expertise give such an in-depth look at famous brands, this goes very well along with your "Is it worth it?" series.

[jasonbhatnagar]

Definitely disagree about the flag and bear items as they are some of the most iconic pieces of the brand

[jeanvir]

You make great videos. I love your “is ir worth it?” Series and this looks really promising. Keep doing the superb job

[snotrat]

Great video, I loved the one about Harrington jackets too.

[jonstern]

I'm going to disagree about the polo shirts. While I will avoid the giant logos and make sure I buy discounted I find them the best quality I have found (they seem to last a long time and not go tatty like some), and sometimes can get an outstandingly patterned design as well as the classic plain colours. I've bought cheaper polo's that just didn't seem quite right and now am probably going to start getting more RLP polo's. (I usually pay about 40 English Pounds)

[laytonaschauer]

The Rugby Ralph Lauren sub brand had some nice pieces

[misha]

That suit looks amazing on you Raphael! I recently bought a Black Watch OCBD from RL. Thankfully the embroidered Pony was blue and blended completely with the Black Watch pattern. RL has some incredible items (if you know what to look for) and I'm glad to hear you give the company it's due. Would love to see this type of video turned into series. Thank you!