Difference Between Polo and Ralph Lauren (2024)

Polo and Ralph Lauren are often confused with each other due to their similar logos and sporty garments. Both American brands feature polo riders on their horses. Moreover, many retailers erroneously list products from these two distinct companies interchangeably or as one. Due to their resemblances, several lawsuits were filed between these two companies. One of the latest settled cases was in 2015 when Ralph Lauren corporation was compensated with $3.2 million.

“Polo” is actually U.S. Polo Assn. and is the official brand as well as the non-profit governing organization of polo sport in America. Its logo has two polo players on their respective horses. On the other hand, Ralph Lauren corporation is a fashion company which is known for designer clothes, fragrances, and accessories. Its logo only consists of one polo player on his horse with his mallet raised high. The following discussions further delve into such differences.

Difference Between Polo and Ralph Lauren (1)

What is Polo?

U.S. Polo Assn is a subsidiary of the United States Polo Association (USPA); the brand was founded in 1981. The current president and CEO is David Cummings; when asked about the company being a sports identity or a fashion statement, he answered with their ad campaign, “Before fashion, polo was a sport”. He furthered that the clothes they design reflect the sport’s paradoxes such as “classic yet comfortable”, “sporty yet well-dressed”, and “high quality yet accessible”.

U.S. Polo Assn is a brand licensing retail industry distributing apparel, accessories, eyewear, footwear, housewares, and watches worldwide in more than 160 countries. Its logo features two polo players on their horses. The first rider wears a darker shirt with his mallet above his head while the succeeding rider wears a lighter shirt and his mallet is positioned lower. Recently, the brand became the official apparel supplier of the 12th Federation of International Polo (FIP) European Polo Championship in Tuscany, Italy.

Difference Between Polo and Ralph Lauren (2)

What is Ralph Lauren?

Ralph Lauren Corporation produces brands such as Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Ralph Lauren Collection, and Club Monaco. Ralph Lauren, an American fashion designer, founded the corporation in 1967. Interestingly, he will be appointed an Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in a ceremony in 2019. He is known to be the first American fashion designer to receive such commendation. He is still the current executive chairman and CCO with David Lauren, the youngest son of Ralph Lauren, as the vice chairman, and Patrice Louvet, a French business executive, as the president and CEO.

Ralph Lauren is a fashion and retail industry which also offers tailoring services. Its products include luxury clothing, footwear, fragrances, housewares, furniture, and jewelry which are sold worldwide. Its logo displays a polo player on his horse with his mallet raised high in the air. This emblem, which was initially located on the shirt’s cuff, was introduced in 1971. He thought “polo” was a label which aptly features the lifestyle he wants to portray.

Difference between Polo and Ralph Lauren

  1. Company

Polo as a company is “U.S. Polo Assn.” and it is the official brand of the USPA which was founded in 1981 while Ralph Lauren is “Ralph Lauren Corporation” which was founded earlier in 1967.

  1. Logo for Polo Vs. Ralph Lauren

Polo’s logo features two polo players on their horses. The first rider wears a darker shirt with his mallet above his head while the succeeding rider wears a lighter shirt and his mallet is positioned lower. On the other hand, that of Ralph Lauren’s is less complex which shows only one polo player on his horse with his mallet raised high.

  1. Rationale of Emblem

The emblem of polo reflects the spirit and tradition of the sport while that of Ralph Lauren’s is not so focused on the sport as it is more on the depicted lifestyle.

  1. CEO/ Founder of Polo and Ralph Lauren

The current CEO of U.S. Polo Assn. is David Cummings. The executive chairman and CCO of Ralph Lauren Corporation is the founder himself, Ralph Lauren, the vice chairman is David Lauren, and the president and CEO is Patrice Louvet.

  1. Price

Generally, Ralph Lauren products are more expensive as compared to those of Polo since the former is more considered as a highly fashionable luxury designer brand.

  1. Industry

Though both industries are into retail, Polo is also listed as “brand licensing” while Ralph Lauren is also listed as “fashion”. Unlike Polo, Ralph Lauren features “tailoring” as their offered services.

  1. Headquarters of Polo and Ralph Lauren

Though both are located in the US, Polo’s headquarters is in Orlando, Florida while Ralph Lauren is in New York City, New York.

Polo vs Ralph Lauren

Difference Between Polo and Ralph Lauren (3)

Summary of Polo Vs. Ralph Lauren

  • Polo and Ralph Lauren are often confused with each other due to their similar logos and sporty garments.
  • Ralph Lauren Corporation produces brands such as Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Ralph Lauren Collection, and Club Monaco.
  • U.S. Polo Assn is a brand licensing retail industry distributing apparel, accessories, eyewear, footwear, housewares, and watches worldwide.
  • U.S. Polo Assn. is not in any way associated with Ralph Lauren Corporation.
  • The logo of polo is more complex than that of Ralph Lauren’s.
  • The emblem of polo emphasizes sport while that of Ralph Lauren’s focuses on lifestyle.
  • The CEO of polo is Cummings while that of Ralph Lauren’s is Louvet.
  • Polo is generally more affordable than Ralph Lauren.
  • The industry of Polo includes brand licensing while that of Ralph Lauren includes fashion.
  • The headquarters of Polo is in Florida while Ralph Lauren is in New York.
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Jean Brown is a Registered Psychologist, licensed professional teacher, and a freelance academic and creative writer. She has been teaching social science courses both in the undergrad and graduate levels. Jean has also been a research adviser and panel member in a number of psychology and special education paper presentations. Her certifications include TESOL (Tampa, Florida), Psychiatric Ward Practicum Certification, and Marker of Diploma Courses.


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Brown, g. (2019, June 24). Difference Between Polo and Ralph Lauren. Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects. http://www.differencebetween.net/miscellaneous/fashion-beauty/difference-between-polo-and-ralph-lauren/.
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Difference Between Polo and Ralph Lauren (2024)

FAQs

Difference Between Polo and Ralph Lauren? ›

The industry of Polo includes brand licensing while that of Ralph Lauren includes fashion. The headquarters of Polo is in Florida while Ralph Lauren is in New York.

Is there a difference between polo and Ralph Lauren? ›

Ralph Lauren Polo and South African Polo are two different brands owned by two different companies and they are not affiliated with each other. The Ralph Lauren brand is an international brand by an American designer and the South African Polo brand is locally owned by L.A Group LTD.

Is polo a high end brand? ›

Ralph Lauren is a household name that is synonymous with luxury, style, and sophistication. From its iconic polo shirts to its high-end home decor, the brand has established itself as a leader in the fashion and design industry. But is Ralph Lauren truly a luxury brand? The answer is a resounding yes.

How can you tell the difference between real and fake Polo Ralph Lauren? ›

A genuine Ralph Lauren should have one thin line of even stitching running along the bottom of the shirt. No stitching, or jagged and uneven stitching, indicates your product is fake. Look at the collar label. All Ralph Lauren products have labels under the collar indicating the size.

Is USPA a knock off? ›

The “US Polo Assn.” brand is real, and actually to do with the sport of polo. it's the brand of the US Polo Association, the governing body of the sport in the USA.

Is US polo cheaper than Ralph Lauren? ›

It's a common confusion that U.S Polo Association and Ralph Lauren are related due to the similarity of their logos. However, they are not. U.S Polo Assn. is actually the brand of the association that runs the sport of Polo and is essentially a cheaper version of Ralph Lauren.

What are the two types of polos? ›

Most polos are knitted and there are two main types or structures: pique and jersey.

Is Ralph Lauren or polo more expensive? ›

Generally, Ralph Lauren products are more expensive as compared to those of Polo since the former is more considered as a highly fashionable luxury designer brand.

What are the levels of Ralph Lauren? ›

The company's brands include the mid-range Chaps brand, to the sub-premium Lauren Ralph Lauren brand, to the premium Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Ralph Lauren Childrenswear, and Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren brands, up to the full luxury Ralph Lauren Purple Label and Ralph Lauren Collection brands.

Do people still wear Ralph Lauren? ›

Because in the 50 years since Ralph Lauren's Polo Shirt first came to market, it's permeated almost every facet of American culture. It's been worn by prepsters and politicians, super models and school kids, rockstars and rappers. “Everyone and anybody, all over the world, from all walks of life,” Mirkin explains.

Which polo brand is real? ›

The Real Polo brand was established and created by Tyquan F Polo in 2021. Inspired by all the other three Polo brands, Ralph Lauren Polo, United States Polo Association, and Beverly Hills Polo Club, and of which three are different brands.

What is the real Ralph Lauren? ›

Ralph Lauren, original name Ralph Rueben Lifsh*tz, (born October 14, 1939, New York, New York, U.S.), American fashion designer who, by developing his brand around the image of an elite American lifestyle, built one of the world's most successful fashion empires.

What does original polo smell like? ›

Created in 1978, Polo cologne is a fresh, clean citrus fragrance. It is the result of the following top fragrance Notes: basil, juniper and cumin. The middle notes are: thyme, pine and carnation and the base of the fragrance is: amber, patchouli and moss.

What is the difference between US Polo Assn and Ralph Lauren? ›

It turns out the U.S. Polo Assn. isn't related to Ralph Lauren at all. Instead, this brand is the licensing arm of the actual U.S. Polo Association, dating back to 1890. Yes, kids, before Polo was a brand, polo was a sport.

Is real polo made in China? ›

Unfortunately, Ralph Lauren has long since outsourced its production. A large part of the polo shirts are made in China and another part in Sri Lanka. The shirts and sweaters are usually made in Hong Kong. We can also find the creations of the designer in Cambodia, Vietnam and Pakistan.

What brand is Polo Assn? ›

U.S. Polo Assn. is the official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), the non-profit governing body for the sport of polo in the United States and one of the oldest sports governing bodies, having been founded in 1890.

Who is Ralph Laurens biggest competitor? ›

Ralph Lauren main competitors are The Donna Karan Company LLC, Abercrombie & Fitch Co, and Gapkids & Baby. Competitor Summary. See how Ralph Lauren compares to its main competitors: The Home Depot has the most employees (500,001).

Which Ralph Lauren line is most expensive? ›

Purple Label is the top-end Ralph Lauren label, and by far the most expensive. This label is home to the most premium Ralph Lauren products, made from superior materials and often in smaller runs.

Where does polo Ralph Lauren rank? ›

Apparel 50 2018 Ranking
20182017Name
1716Polo Ralph Lauren
1820Prada
1913Under Armour
2022Armani
21 more rows

What type of people wear polo shirts? ›

And far from being blandly uniform, or only worn by one type of man, polos have been popular with widely varied groups, from Nantucket yachtsmen to West Coast skaters; there are different types of polos for different occasions, and they can be worn and styled in many different ways.

What type of polo is the best? ›

The Best Polo Shirts For Men, From Stylish To Sporty
  • Best Quality Polo Shirt: Polo Ralph Lauren Men's Classic Fit Polo Shirt.
  • Best Comfortable Polo Shirt: Vineyard Vines St. ...
  • Best Performance Polo Shirt: Lululemon Evolution Short-Sleeve Polo Shirt.
  • Best Lightweight Polo Shirt: Vuori Strato Tech Polo.
Apr 23, 2023

What Colour polos are best? ›

White, black, navy and grey will offer you the most versatility as they work with most skin tones and body types.

Which brands are cheaper in USA? ›

Check out the list of things cheaper in USA than India:
  • Apple Products.
  • Beddings.
  • High-quality Bath Towels.
  • Michael Kors Products.
  • Kirkland Minoxidil.
  • Branded Perfumes.
  • Nutrition Supplements.
  • Laptops.
Aug 30, 2022

Do people still wear polo shirts? ›

Are polo shirts still in style in 2022? Polo shirts are still in style. This is a classic cut and will stay fashionable for decades because it bridges the gap between casual and classy. Polos look great dressed down and they also look professional for the office.

What brand is Ralph Lauren best known for? ›

Ralph Lauren is most well-known for the Polo shirt from the oldest brand in its portfolio – Polo Ralph Lauren.

What do the numbers on Ralph Lauren mean? ›

Have you ever wondered what the numbers on a polo shirt actually mean? In polo, player positions are only going to be 1 through 4. You'll never see a player with the number 5 or higher on any jerseys. Those numbers are manufactured specifically for fashion, and don't have anything to do with playing the sport.

What is number 3 in Ralph Lauren? ›

In polo, a player wearing a number 3 patch is classed as the strongest. Polo Ralph Lauren embellishes the sleeve of this classic polo top with the number, offering a nod to the game that heavily inspired the prep-style brand.

Why does Ralph Lauren have two L's? ›

He changed his last name. Before he became the icon he is today, his last name was initially Lifsh*tz. At the age of 16, Ralph's brother Jerry changed their last name to Lauren, as the designer was constantly teased in school for his name.

Is Ralph Lauren back in style? ›

Ralph Lauren is back in style and showing increased top-line potential.

What is a size 8 in Ralph Lauren? ›

Lauren
Sizes Sizesbust bust
S S6 636" 91.4 cm
M M8 837" 94 cm
10 1038" 96.5 cm
L L12 1239.5" 100.3 cm
6 more rows

What is the dress code for Ralph Lauren? ›

Ralph Lauren's dress code is business casual. This typically means collared shirts, slacks, and dress shoes for men, and tailored blouses or sweaters, skirts, and dress shoes for women.

What is the original polo logo? ›

1974 to Date—The Polo Horseman

The horse emblem, which comes in black and white, has a Polo Player on a galloping horse. On his right hand, the rider holds a mallet in an attempt to strike a ball. Beneath this vivid image lies the brand's name—Ralph Lauren, in caps.

Who makes the original polo shirts? ›

It was created by tennis pro Jean Rene Lacoste. At that time, tennis players would wear a button down shirt and tie. Lacoste decided to come up with a more breathable lightweight shirt with just 3 buttons. Lacoste's new tennis shirt became our modern day polo shirt.

Why is Ralph Lauren called Polo? ›

The name "Polo" was a referenced to the famously upper-class sport and aimed to connect Ralph Lauren's iteration of the shirt to a modern interpretation of the Polo player's lifestyle. And boy, the name has stuck.

Why is Ralph Lauren logo a bear? ›

The bear was introduced in 1991 after Ralph Lauren employees gave their boss and his brother Jerry teddy bears (made by famous German toy maker Steiff) dressed like them. Lauren was taken with the gift and thought the brand should start selling the plush toys in stores.

What style is Ralph Lauren? ›

Renowned for its quintessential preppy style, the Ralph Lauren brand has been around since 1967, when it began by selling the 'American dream'. Today, the brand is distinguished in every corner of the globe and stands for something much bigger.

Do people still wear Polo cologne? ›

Wildly popular from the moment it was introduced in the 90s, Polo Sport is not only nostalgic, it's a classic. Even today, guys are drawn to its simple, refreshing scent. Both aquatic and floral, it's not too much of either, which is probably why it's endured for so long as a well-balanced fragrance.

What material is original Polo? ›

Polos are usually made of a knitted material, they tend to be either piqué or jersey. Polos are almost always made of knitted fabrics and while nowadays you can find polos made out of any fabric (silk and linen, among them) jersey and piqué are traditionally the most popular.

Does cologne expire? ›

The answer is yes, perfumes do expire — but the expiration window can vary from fragrance to fragrance. According to Mileo, fragrances expire based on how they're formulated. “Natural fragrances (or a hybrid of natural and synthetic) last about two and a half to five years from the time of purchase,” he says.

Which is original US polo? ›

U.S. Polo Assn. is the authentic and official brand of the United States Polo Association, the governing body for the sport of polo in the United States since 1890.

Is Polo Ralph Lauren Made in China? ›

Although Ralph Lauren makes many of its high-end lines products in Italy, some of the casual lines, such as Polo and Lauren by Ralph Lauren lines items are made in China.

What does the US Polo Assn logo mean? ›

Meaning and history

The blue and red color palette is a traditional choice for many brand, as it symbolizes passion, power and authority, and looks good in contrast with its white background. The U.S. Polo Assn emblem is a drawing of two polo players, which is executed in a detailed yet very modern manner.

Is USPA polo fake polo? ›

The U.S. Polo Assn.

brand products are authentic and officially sanctioned by the United States Polo Association, the governing body for the sport of polo in the United States since 1890.

What company owns polo? ›

Ralph Lauren Corporation is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of luxury lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, footwear & accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality.

Where does the original polo logo face? ›

The fact is that both brands use remarkably similar signs, distinguished only by the horse position. In Ralph Lauren's case it faces to the left, while in the company's Polo South Africa's, the horse faces the right.

Is Ralph Lauren and polo the same? ›

Ralph Lauren Polo and South African Polo are two different brands owned by two different companies and they are not affiliated with each other. The Ralph Lauren brand is an international brand by an American designer and the South African Polo brand is locally owned by L.A Group LTD.

What is the legal name for US Polo Assn? ›

The United States Polo Association (USPA) is the national governing body for the sport of polo in the United States.

Why is Ralph Lauren called polo? ›

The name "Polo" was a referenced to the famously upper-class sport and aimed to connect Ralph Lauren's iteration of the shirt to a modern interpretation of the Polo player's lifestyle. And boy, the name has stuck.

Does polo own Ralph Lauren? ›

Besides Ralph Lauren and Polo Ralph Lauren, the Ralph Lauren company also owns Polo & RLX Golf, Denim & Supply, RRL and Ralph Lauren Purple Label, as well as subsidiaries Club Monaco and Chaps, among others.

How do you know if a polo shirt is real? ›

All genuine Ralph Lauren will have a care label with information on what material the shirt is made of and how to take care of the item. Each label will have a registered trademark symbol (®). The writing should be neat and legible - messiness would indicate the item is a fake.

Is Polo Ralph Lauren designer? ›

For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren has cultivated the iconography of America into a global lifestyle brand, and he is recognized as one of the world's most innovative design and business leaders.

Is Ralph Lauren more expensive than polo? ›

Generally, Ralph Lauren products are more expensive as compared to those of Polo since the former is more considered as a highly fashionable luxury designer brand.

What is the controversy between polo and Ralph Lauren? ›

Ralph Lauren has apologised for selling an item which allegedly copied Mexican indigenous designs. The US fashion chain was accused of "plagiarism" by the wife of the country's president, Beatriz Gutiérrez, as well as a culture minister. Mexico has aimed similar complaints at other big brands in recent years.

Why are shirts called polo? ›

Before the polo shirt came in a rainbow of sorbet hues, before frat boys ever thought to pop its collar, before it became synonymous with upper-class prep or back-to-school uniforms, the polo shirt was, simply, the top worn during polo matches, hence the origin of its name.

Who is Ralph Lauren's biggest competitor? ›

Who Are Ralph Lauren's Biggest Competitors? Calvin Klein, Armani, and Hanesbrands are all RL competitors. Since Ralph Lauren has so many sublines at different price points, their competitors range widely, from those that match their aesthetic to brands with a similar range of cost brackets.

What is Ralph Lauren style called? ›

Renowned for its quintessential preppy style, the Ralph Lauren brand has been around since 1967, when it began by selling the 'American dream'. Today, the brand is distinguished in every corner of the globe and stands for something much bigger.

Which is the real polo brand? ›

Ralph Lauren is a Company built on authenticity.

Since founding the Company in 1967 and opening the first Polo Ralph Lauren store in California in 1971, Mr.

Why are polos longer in the back? ›

Traditionally, the common piqué (a weave of cotton that adds texture) polo shirt is longer in the back and shorter in the front to help it stay tucked in when you bend over.

What side of a polo shirt is the logo? ›

Logo Placement - Most polo shirts are embroidered with a left chest logo but a logo can be placed on the right side. Right side placement is often used when there is a pocket on the left side although the logo can be embroidered above the pocket.

Is Ralph Lauren considered high end? ›

Yes, Ralph Lauren Collection and Ralph Lauren Purple Label are high-end brands.

Is Ralph Lauren Made in China real or fake? ›

Unfortunately, Ralph Lauren has long since outsourced its production. A large part of the polo shirts are made in China and another part in Sri Lanka. The shirts and sweaters are usually made in Hong Kong. We can also find the creations of the designer in Cambodia, Vietnam and Pakistan.

What is the Polo Ralph Lauren logo? ›

The horse emblem, which comes in black and white, has a Polo Player on a galloping horse. On his right hand, the rider holds a mallet in an attempt to strike a ball. Beneath this vivid image lies the brand's name—Ralph Lauren, in caps.

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