If you’re looking for brands like Ralph Lauren, you’ve come to the right place. Offering similar style or quality, we’ve rounded up twelve worthwhile Ralph Lauren alternatives.
Launched in 1967, Ralph Lauren has since become synonymous with uptown New York style.
The brand is known for adding a sense of urban sophistication to all-American recreational style categories. This includes collegiate leisure fashions, sporty country club looks, and even Wild West aesthetics.
Like Timberland’s yellow boots, Ralph Lauren’s polo shirts are ubiquitous to the brand and come in every color and several patterns. In fact, the Polo line is the centerpiece of the RL fashion empire. Other iconic Polo motifs include the Polo Bear and the USA flag sweater.
Ralph Lauren has several different lines at a range of price points. While Polo focuses on sporty smart casual wear, Polo Sport makes actual activewear à la Nike.
Chaps is an affordable subline that’s found in stores like Walmart and TJ Maxx, while Ralph by Ralph Lauren offers suits, suit separates, and topcoats.
Still, all of these sublines embody a sense of upscale classic, as do the 12 other brands here.
12 Brands Like Ralph Lauren
Each brand on this list emulates one or more of the many RL sublines, each with their own signature take.
Burberry
The British answer to Ralph Lauren, Burberry takes English countryside gentleman styles and gives it a London makeover.
This is similar to how RL puts an urban New York twist on New England prep. Both brands even feature equestrian imagery in their logos.
As most designers in the world of fashion-with-a-capital-F, Burberry stays relevant by experimenting with contemporary styles. For example, their signature plaid, the Haymarket Check, is a popular motif in designer-forward streetwear. As a heritage brand though, the traditional pieces are Burberry’s anchor.
From cashmere sweaters to polo shirts, Burberry offers most things RL does.
Go for Burberry pieces if you prefer British cut clothes, for example suit jackets with cinched waists and lower top buttons. They’re also known for their trench coats, which makes sense since the Brits have a lot of experience with rain.
Burberry trench coats often use a special material called gabardine, which is water-resistant, but sports a more classic and stylish cotton look, unlike a traditional plastic yellow raincoat.
Tommy Hilfiger
Tommy Hilfiger and RL both focus on giving customers what they want while also sticking to a specific brand language. However, Tommy arguably leans harder into the former, while RL, the latter.
That being the case, Tommy Hilfiger is generally more affordable than RL’s core line while being of substantially higher quality than RL’s diffusion line, Chaps.
With a focus on American cool, Tommy clothes are recognizable through their heavy use of red, white, and blue. Elder millennials probably remember the brand being a staple in ‘90s hip-hop culture, which proves its versatility.
I love that this brand offers reasonably-priced suits, which makes them an effective place to find suits and suit separates that you won’t necessarily wear every day.
The Trevor, for example, is great for summer parties because it comes in shades like light pink and seersucker. Meanwhile, the Tommy Jeans subline offers youthful styles, including denim, athleticwear, and trendy basics.
Todd Snyder
Todd Snyder is a well-loved brand because of its unpretentious approach to bringing style to men of all walks of life. GQ once called Snyder the guy who “slimmed down your suit… and got you to buy a turtleneck.”
Naturally, Snyder’s apparel includes essentials like shirts, outerwear, and pajamas, all in leveled-up “regular guy” fits.
The shorts go above the knee but aren’t too short, the sweaters are cozy but not intimidatingly fitted, and the suits feature modernized American cuts.
Unsurprisingly, the Todd Snyder brand is all about making connections and community, which is why they’re also known for their collaborations.
Snyder x Timex offers playful takes on classic field watches, like the Todd Snyder Military watch, an affordable ‘70s style timepiece. They’ve also collaborated with Champion for athletic wear and built winterized versions of Clarks Wallabee shoes.
Instead of creating sublines with elements that he’s not an expert on, Snyder’s brand partnerships allow both parties to bring their specialty to the table.
Hugo Boss
What Ralph Lauren did with sporty wear, Hugo Boss did for workwear. That is, Boss made workwear fashionable, upscale, and incredibly versatile. Call it German pragmatism.
Of course, Boss builds fashion-forward contemporary pieces too, found in the trend-forward HUGO subline, which ranges from loud prints to smart-casual sweaters.
The working wardrobe, which includes excellent suiting, made Boss the fashion world’s go-to ready-to-wear brand. They made off-the-rack pieces acceptable, even to the most fashion-conscious.
Additionally, Hugo Boss’s practical approach made it easy for them to expand into practical accessories to a slightly greater extent than RL. This includes eyewear, footwear, and fragrances.
Brooks Brothers
Brooks Brothers’ relationship with Ralph Lauren is an interesting one. Brooks was founded in 1818, long before RL.
When Ralph came onto the scene, the brand was clearly emulating Brooks’ timeless gentleman style with a casual twist. Then, as Ralph Lauren grew in popularity, Brooks actually started to emulate RL (though some might say that this was more due to the general casualization of fashion).
Today, Brooks Brothers is still the founding father of the Ivy League-meets-Madison-Avenue style. They’re known for pieces like soft gray suits, flannel, white, blue and light pink oxford shirts, sweater vests, and all things monogrammed.
I think their Regent Fit collection features some of the best fitting suits out there. They combine the best practices of American and British cut suits, with a fitted chest, slightly fitted (but not cinched) jacket waist, and trousers that sit somewhere between slim and regular.
Calvin Klein
American fashion owes a huge debt to Calvin Klein. In the ‘70s, the New York-based fashion brand put denim pants on their runways, which directly launched the designer jeans movement, making the Americana staple a high-fashion staple too.
Relatedly, New York fashion joined the ranks of Paris. Eventually, blue jeans became a closet staple as well.
Today, Calvin Klein is still a go-to for casual fashion, including jeans of all styles and price points. Their popular straight-fit jeans, for example, combine a relaxed fit with a clean silhouette, for an effortless but not sloppy look.
If you prefer the casual side of American style, Calvin Klein is a good brand to turn to. They’re also known for their fragrances and underwear, thanks to several celebrity endorsements throughout time.
Peter Millar
Founded in Raleigh, North Carolina, Peter Millar is the Southern answer to Ralph Lauren’s Northeastern/Mid Atlantic sensibilities.
What does that mean exactly? They offer everyday style and luxury apparel in a very broad color palette. Like a Southern gentleman, Millar clothes aren’t scared of pastels, pinks, and other fun spring colors.
And like a proper Southern gent, Peter Millar loves golf. If you’re looking for stylish and high-performing gear for the course, or just love that country club golfer look, this brand has a lot to offer.
The Flex Adapt Half-Zip is a tech vest that provides stretch, mobility, and a tailored fit. It also comes in several fun colors. Appropriately enough, Peter Millar has a retail store in two country club-centric communities: Southampton, New York, and Palm Beach, Florida, right on Worth Avenue.
GANT
Unabashedly preppy, GANT offers Ivy League style, having literally designed the Yale Co-op shirt that was sold on campus in the 1960s. Their speciality is shirts, whether polos or button-downs.
GANT considers shirts the “cornerstone of any stylish ensemble,” offering a nuanced and detailed sizing and fit guide on their website.
Today, GANT has a world of shirt styles, from silk prints to oversized jacket shirts. It’s still their classic styles that most people come to them for, though.
At the time of this writing, the US section of their website isn’t up and running yet, but you can find a few pieces on Amazon, including the classic GANT polo.
Between its 100% cotton construction and banded sleeves that flatter your arms and chest, this shirt embodies GANT’s philosophy of being well dressed, but never overdressed.
Billy Reid
Having grown up in Alabama and right by the Mississippi border, Billy Reid’s designs are Southern-influenced, featuring clothes with a comfortable, lived-in kind of luxury. We’re talking a lot of linen suits, handsome henley shirts, and fun but sophisticated colors and accents.
Reid is one of only four designers that won more than three awards from The Council of Fashion Designers of America.
Two great examples of the Billy Reid style are the Hawk Jacquard Cardigan and the Tuscumbia shirt.
The Italian-crafted Hawk Jacquard Cardigan is classically cozy and adorned with an in-house bird design inspired by a species from Kiawah Island, South Carolina.
Meanwhile, the Tuscumbia shirt features a custom pattern, combining the olive hue with a bright accent on the chest and the brand’s signature ribbon stripe at the back neck.
Vineyard Vines
Founded in the preppy-favorite vacation spot, Martha’s Vineyard, Vineyard Vines is like a relaxed Ralph Lauren that’s perpetually on vacation.
VV isn’t scared of pastels, relaxed fits, flip flops, and even trucker hats, like the Vineyard Vines Whale Dot hat. Also, if you’re looking for Ivy-leaning swimwear, Vineyard Vines is an excellent place to find some.
The company came about when Shep and Ian Murray sold four designs of neckties on the Vineyard out of their Jeep. After selling 800 ties in one weekend, Vineyard Vines was born.
The VV pink whale logo has become iconic in the New England set, and is embroidered on most of their pieces. You’ll find this guy on the classic corduroy baseball cap, their beloved silk whale tie, and their Saltwater 1/4th Zip.
L.L. Bean
When I moved from LA to Massachusetts for college in the late 2000s, there was no brand more quintessential than L.L. Bean. Headquartered in Maine, L.L. Bean is like a more outdoorsy Ralph Lauren.
As a brand, it’s still very East Coast and still preppy. But, L.L.’s lifestyle focus is more akin to things like horse-riding and pheasant hunting, instead of Park Avenue latte-sipping.
L.L. Bean offers effective and stylish outdoor sportswear, like waxed vests, shirt jackets in a wide range of colors, and premium-built fleece pullovers.
More than just for weekends and recreation, though, I’ve seen Ralph Lauren-types incorporate these sporty pieces into their casual Fridays at the office (performance vest under a suit jacket, for example).
Arguably, the brand’s most recognizable item is the Classic Duck Boot. Built for the town and country lifestyle, these guys can be worn during hikes at the Connecticut estate, or just on a rainy day in uptown Manhattan or Boston’s Beacon Hill.
Rowing Blazers
Though fairly new, Rowing Blazers has quickly made a name for itself for taking an irreverent and unstuffy approach to preppy aesthetics.
Starting with a few styles of rowing blazers, as per their namesake, the brand has expanded into a comprehensive line of clothe, includings dad hats, rugby shirts, and jumpers. They even have a sweater collection focused on astrological star signs.
Rowing Blazers is also popular for reviving iconic past looks, like the Princess Diana black sheep sweater and the I’m a Luxury pullover.
Their Croquet Stripe Rugby shirt is definitely one of their bolder options, with its rainbow vertical stripes. Meanwhile, the Croquet Court polo is more understated without compromising the brand’s signature playfulness.
Rowing Blazers is a great brand to add a modern version of dandiness to your wardrobe.
FAQs
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
Is Ralph Lauren a Luxury Brand?
Yes, overall Ralph Lauren is a luxury brand both in quality and price, though they do offer sublines at different price points.
Is Chaps Part of Ralph Lauren?
Yes, Chaps is Ralph Lauren’s diffusion line, with pieces at more affordable price points than Polo offers.
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.
That’s A Wrap!
Ralph Lauren’s all-American style is definitely iconic. It’s always good to seek out similar brands to the ones you frequent though since it allows you to expand your personal style without going too far outside your comfort zone.
Looking for a version of RL that’s a little “older”? Brooks is a good choice. A little younger? Rowing Blazers is far brasher.
The great thing here is that there’s a range of price points within all twelve of these brands.
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