Have you ever noticed a clothing logo with a polo rider and wondered whether it’s a US Polo product or a Ralph Larent product? Both Ralph Lauren and U.S. Polo Assn. (USPA) feature a polo player and a horse on their labels, leading to brand confusion. In this article, we will explore the difference between Polo and Ralph Lauren.
The difference between Polo and Ralph Lauren is their owner. Polo (USPA) is a clothing brand officially licensed by the United States Polo Association (USPA). Polo Ralph Lauren is a luxury brand under Ralph Lauren. In fact, it’s their most popular brand.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Polo
3. What is Ralph Lauren
4. Similarities – Polo and Ralph Lauren
5. Polo vs Ralph Lauren in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Polo vs Ralph Lauren
7. FAQ – Polo and Ralph Lauren
What is Ralph Lauren?
Ralph Lauren is an American fashion company founded in 1967 by American fashion designer Ralph Lauren. Lauren started the company by creating men’s ties. In 1968, he outed his full line of menswear in 1968. As this line was inspired by his interest in sport, it was named “Polo.” This line quickly gained popularity. This brand also became Ralph Lauren’s top-selling and highest-produced complete line of clothing, which was globally available. Ralph Lauren also introduced the Women’s Polo brand in 2014.
Today, it offers various brands, including premium, sub-premium, and mid-range labels. In fact, Ralph Lauren produces a wide range of products, including apparel, home goods, accessories, and fragrances, catering to various market segments from mid-range to luxury.
Some popular brands under Ralph Lauren include:
Chaps: a mid-range brand that offers men’s and women’s casual sportswear
Double RL: Founded in 1993 and named after Ralph Lauren’s “RRL” ranch in Colorado, this brand offers men a mix of selvage denim, vintage apparel, sportswear, accessories, and rooted and military gear.
Polo Ralph Lauren: This is the most recognizable and widely available Ralph Lauren brand. It was launched in 1968 and was the first complete line of sportswear and tailored clothing.
Lauren Ralph Lauren: Lauren for Women offers sportswear, denim, activewear, dresses, accessories, and footwear at lower prices, while Lauren for Men offers men’s tailored clothing, including sport coats, suits, dress shirts, dress pants, topcoats, tuxedos, and ties. This brand is generally more expensive than Chaps but more affordable than Polo Ralph Lauren.
What is Polo?
As mentioned above, Polo is the most popular brand under Ralph Lauren. However, the brand polo can also refer to clothing by U.S. Polo Assn. or USPA clothing. In fact, most people confuse these brands due to their similar logos, which include a polo player on horseback.
This is a separate clothing brand officially licensed by the USPA. USPA or United States Polo Association (USPA) is the governing body for the sport of polo in the United States. They establish the rules, organize tournaments, and promote the sport.
U.S. Polo Assn. offers clothing, footwear, and accessories for men, women, and children. U.S. Polo Assn. is not affiliated with Ralph Lauren in any way. Royalties from U.S. Polo Assn. sales help fund the USPA and promote the sport of polo.
Similarities Between Polo and Ralph Lauren
- Both have a similar logo, that of a polo rider.
- They offer a range of clothing and accessories.
Difference Between Polo and Ralph Lauren
Definition
- Ralph Lauren is a fashion house that has various sub-brands, such as Polo Ralph Lauren.
- U.S. Polo Assn., on the other hand, is a separate clothing brand licensed by the United States Polo Association (USPA), the governing body for polo in the US.
Price
- Generally, Polo Ralph Lauren has a mid-range to premium price point.
- U.S. Polo Assn. offers a more budget-friendly option.
Summary – Polo vs Ralph Lauren
The difference between Polo and Ralph Lauren is the brand origin. Polo (USPA) is a clothing brand officially licensed by the United States Polo Association (USPA). Polo Ralph Lauren is a luxury brand under Ralph Lauren. In fact, it’s their most popular brand.
FAQ: Polo and Ralph Lauren
1. Is Polo Ralph a luxury brand?
- Yes, Polo Ralph Lauren is generally regarded as a luxury brand known for its premium-quality products and higher price points compared to mainstream fashion brands.
2. Is Ralph Lauren and polo the same?
- Polo Ralph Lauren and U.S. Polo Assn. are two separate brands. U.S. Polo Assn. is officially licensed by the United States Polo Association, the governing body for the sport of polo in the U.S. Polo Ralph Lauren, on the other hand, is a sub-brand under the Ralph Lauren umbrella. It offers classic American style clothing with the iconic pony logo, but has no connection to the US Polo Association.
3. Why are there 2 polo brands?
- Ralph Lauren built his own fashion empire and created the sub-brand Polo Ralph Lauren. Although it was inspired by the sport, it has no connection to the US Polo Association. The US Polo Association needed a way to generate revenue and promote the sport, so they created a licensed brand (U.S. Polo Assn.)
4. Does Ralph Lauren own polo?
- Ralph Lauren owns the Polo Ralph Lauren brand. But he has no connection to the US Polo Association. Although the logo of U.S. Polo Assn. is similar to the Polo Ralph Lauren logo, there’s no connection between Ralph Lauren and U.S. Polo Assn. The United States Polo Association (USPA) governs polo in the US and licenses U.S. Polo Assn.
Reference:
1. “Ralph Lauren (Brand).” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Polo Ralph Lauren, tầng 1, Lotte Center, Hà Nội 002” By Phan Minh Tuấn – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “US Polo 2” By Szakiulla – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia