Polo Ralph Lauren vs Purple Label: Brand Tiers Explained

Ralph Lauren Corporation is one of the most architecturally complex luxury brand groups in the world — it operates at least six distinct brand tiers simultaneously, from the entry-level Chaps to the Savile Row-competing Purple Label, all under the same founder’s name and the same Polo Pony logo. Understanding where each tier sits is essential for buyers who want to navigate the Ralph Lauren universe intelligently. This guide covers the full brand tier structure, the story of Ralph Lauren himself, who owns the brand, and how to pronounce the name that many buyers quietly wonder about. For the authenticated Ralph Lauren bags at The Brands Villa, the RL bags range starts from $175 with worldwide shipping. 

Who is Ralph Lauren? 

Ralph Lauren was born Ralph Rueben Lifshitz on 14 October 1939 in the Bronx, New York, to Ashkenazi Jewish immigrants from Belarus. He legally changed his surname to Lauren (a Gallicisation of Lifshitz, which he found was causing social difficulty) while working in the fashion industry. He studied business at the City College of New York for two years and worked in various sales and garment industry roles before founding his first venture in 1967 — a tie company called Polo Fashions, operating out of a drawer in the Empire State Building. His first major retail partner was Bloomingdale’s, which began stocking his ties in 1967. Ralph Lauren’s self-invention is one of the most documented and most studied in American business — he grew up in the Bronx as the child of immigrants and created a brand entirely built on an imagined American aristocracy he had never personally experienced. He is 85 years old as of 2025 and remains Executive Chairman of Ralph Lauren Corporation. 

How to Pronounce Ralph Lauren 

‘Ralph Lauren’ is pronounced ‘RALF LOR-en’ — the name ‘Lauren’ uses the American pronunciation (rhymes with ‘Warren’, not ‘Laur-een’ or ‘Lor-EN’). The name is frequently mispronounced in the UK as ‘RAFE Lor-EN’ or ‘Ralph Lau-REEN’. The correct pronunciation in both the US and UK contexts is: ‘RALF LOR-en’. This is one of the most commonly searched pronunciation questions in the luxury fashion category, reflecting the name’s near-universal brand recognition combined with inconsistent pronunciation exposure. 

The Ralph Lauren Brand Tier Structure 

Ralph Lauren Corporation operates multiple brand tiers, each positioned at a different price point and quality level. At the most accessible level: Chaps — the entry-level brand sold primarily through department stores (US focus) at £30-£80 for garments. Polo Ralph Lauren — the core brand that most buyers mean when they say ‘Ralph Lauren’. Polo polo shirts, sweaters, casual clothing, and accessories at £80-£350. Double RL (RRL) — a vintage-inspired workwear line in limited distribution, focused on reproduction vintage denim, Americana, and Japanese selvedge fabrics at £200-£1,000. Lauren Ralph Lauren — the women’s accessible brand at department store level, slightly higher than Chaps but below Polo RL. Purple Label — the most luxurious tier, competing directly with Brioni and Kiton for men’s tailoring. Purple Label suits start at approximately £1,500 and reach £10,000+. Hand-tailored in the Savile Row tradition with Italian fabric and UK or Italian construction. 

Polo Ralph Lauren — the Core Brand 

Polo Ralph Lauren is the brand tier that accounts for the majority of RL’s revenue and the vast majority of its consumer recognition. The polo shirt, sweater, chinos, and the accessories range — including the bags at The Brands Villa — all fall under the Polo RL label. For buyers outside the Purple Label sphere, Polo RL is effectively what ‘Ralph Lauren’ means. The Crosshatch Leather Hanna Satchel at $295 and the  

Ralph Lauren Purple Label — the Luxury Tier 

Purple Label is Ralph Lauren’s luxury tier — the clothing and accessories that position RL alongside the European luxury tailoring houses. Purple Label suits are made in the UK and Italy using English or Italian fabrics, constructed using techniques that reference Savile Row bespoke tailoring (canvas chest construction, hand-stitched buttonholes, hand-padded lapels). The suit range sits at approximately £1,500 for a standard two-piece and £4,000-£10,000 for the more complex constructions. Purple Label accessories (silk ties, leather goods, cashmere sweaters) are similarly high-quality and similarly priced. Purple Label is the correct choice for buyers who want RL at a quality level comparable to Brioni, Kiton, or Zegna — the Savile Row ‘big four’ tailors being the directional reference. 

Double RL (RRL) — Vintage Americana 

Double RL (abbreviated RRL, named after Ralph Lauren’s Colorado ranch ‘Double RL’) is the most aesthetically specific of the RL brand tiers. It is a vintage-inspired workwear and Americana line that produces reproduction vintage denim, Western shirts, military surplus-inspired outerwear, and hand-crafted leather accessories. RRL is sold in a small number of standalone stores and online. The design ethos references American work clothing from the 1870s to the 1950s — the shirts, jackets, and denim are often produced in limited runs from Japanese selvedge fabric or heritage US mills. It occupies a similar market position to Visvim, Kapital, and Engineered Garments in terms of its appeal to clothing obsessives rather than mainstream brand buyers. 

Who Owns Ralph Lauren? 

Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE: RL) is publicly listed. Ralph Lauren himself owns approximately 24% of total shares but controls approximately 80% of voting power through a dual-class share structure — Class A shares carry one vote each; Class B shares (held primarily by the Lauren family) carry ten votes each. This structure ensures that Ralph Lauren and his family retain operational control of the company while allowing public investment. As of 2025, Ralph Lauren remains Executive Chairman, with Patrice Louvet serving as President and CEO (since 2017). For the complete Ralph Lauren brand and style context, the guide covers the full brand range. 

Is Chaps by Ralph Lauren? 

Yes — Chaps is a Ralph Lauren brand. It operates at the lowest price tier of the RL portfolio, typically sold through department stores (primarily in the US). Chaps uses the same general aesthetic as Polo RL — shirts, trousers, basics — but at a lower price point and quality level than Polo RL, intended for buyers who want the RL heritage aesthetic at high-street pricing. The Chaps brand has had various licensing arrangements over the years that have sometimes separated it partially from direct Ralph Lauren Corporation control in specific regions. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Ralph Lauren Brand 

What is Polo Ralph Lauren vs Ralph Lauren? 

Polo Ralph Lauren is the main mid-luxury sportswear and casualwear line. Ralph Lauren (Lauren Ralph Lauren) is the more accessible womenswear-focused line. Both are part of Ralph Lauren Corporation but positioned differently. 

What is Ralph Lauren Purple Label? 

Purple Label is RL’s most luxurious tier — suits and accessories made in Italy and the UK at Savile Row-inspired quality. Suits start at approximately £1,500. Competes with Brioni, Kiton, and Zegna. 

How old is Ralph Lauren? 

Ralph Lauren was born 14 October 1939 in the Bronx, New York. He is 85 years old as of 2025. He remains Executive Chairman of Ralph Lauren Corporation. 

Who owns Ralph Lauren? 

Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE: RL) is publicly listed. Ralph Lauren controls approximately 80% of voting power through a dual-class share structure, with Patrice Louvet as President and CEO since 2017. 

Is Ralph Lauren a luxury brand? 

Polo RL is mid-luxury — above high street, below traditional European luxury houses. Purple Label is genuinely luxury — competing with Brioni and Kiton. The answer depends on which brand tier is being assessed.