Is Ralph Lauren a Luxury Brand or Not?

Last Updated on August 30, 2023 by Chase Reiner

Yes, Ralph Lauren is a luxury brand. Founded in 1967, it’s known for high-end fashion, accessories, and home goods. With a reputation for quality and style, it operates in the luxury segment of the market, offering premium products and experiences.

Is Ralph Lauren a Luxury Brand or Not?

Background of Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren is a renowned global fashion brand established in 1968 by Ralph Lauren himself, an American designer. The brand quickly caught the attention of fashion enthusiasts, introducing the concept of lifestyle fashion and offering an assortment of products from clothing to home fixtures.

2. Luxurious Lineups
As part of its wide product range, Ralph Lauren boasts several lineups that are unquestionably geared towards the luxury market. These include Ralph Lauren Purple Label, a men’s and women’s fashion line dedicated to meticulous craftsmanship and premium materials, and Ralph Lauren Collection, a high-end women’s line that redefines sophistication and elegance.

3. Price Indication
Ralph Lauren’s merchandise, particularly those from the high-end lines, command substantial prices. For example, a suit from the Purple Label can cost several thousands of dollars, a clear indication of its position in the luxury market segment.

4. Not Just Clothing
The high-end trend isn’t limited to Ralph Lauren’s clothing. The brand’s home products, such as furniture and home décor items, maintain its commitment to quality materials and timeless design, further reinforcing its status as a luxury brand.

5. Celebrity Endorsements
The brand has frequently been endorsed by high-profile individuals and celebrities, from sports icons to Hollywood stars, delivering further association with luxury.

6. Mass Market Offerings
Despite its luxury leanings, Ralph Lauren also caters to the mid-range and mass markets with Polo Ralph Lauren and Lauren Ralph Lauren lines. These lines, though still offering distinct style and quality, are priced more affordably, making the brand accessible to a wider audience.

7. Store Locations
The brand’s choice of store locations also speaks volumes. Many Ralph Lauren flagships are situated in high-end shopping districts, rubbing shoulders with other luxury brands.

8. Global Recognition
Ralph Lauren is recognized for its luxury offerings worldwide. The brand has garnered a prestigious reputation for its products’ design, quality, and durability, living up to the expectations of luxury consumers.

Ralph Lauren’s Luxury Indicators	Details
Luxurious Lineups	Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Ralph Lauren Collection
Price Indication	High-end products priced in the thousands
Not Just Clothing	Luxury home products and décor
Celebrity Endorsements	Frequents endorsements by celebrities and high-profile individuals
Store Locations	Flagship stores in high-end shopping districts

In conclusion, while Ralph Lauren caters to different market segments, its offerings, especially those in its high-end lines, unmistakably class it as a luxury brand.

What makes Ralph Lauren a luxury brand?

1. Exceptional Craftsmanship:

Ralph Lauren is known for its exceptional craftsmanship, which is a hallmark of any luxury brand. The meticulous attention given to every tiny detail, from the stitching of a polo shirt to the design of a leather bag, testifies to the brand’s commitment to delivering products of utmost quality.

2. High-Quality Materials:

Ralph Lauren only uses the finest materials for their products, whether it’s cashmere for their clothing or premium leather for their accessories. This results in long-lasting products that exude luxury.

3. Brand Heritage and Identity:

Ralph Lauren, founded in 1967, has spent over half a century building its reputation and brand identity. The brand has become synonymous with a luxurious lifestyle – equestrian elegance, all-American style, and high society class.

4. Exclusivity:

Being a luxury brand, Ralph Lauren creates a feeling of exclusivity. Its products aren’t mass-produced or readily available, which adds to their appeal.

5. Celebrity Influence:

Ralph Lauren is a favorite among celebrities and has been sported by many on red-carpet events. This association further adds to the brand’s luxury status.

6. Higher Price Point:

Although high prices don’t always denote quality, they do signify exclusivity. Ralph Lauren’s products command a higher price point than common high-street brands, which contributes to its perception as a luxury fashion brand.

7. Presentation & Retail Experience:

Ralph Lauren invests in prime store locations and creates an immersive shopping experience. High-quality, distinct store design and excellent customer service reflect and uphold the luxury image of the brand.

8. Innovative Designs:

Despite its strong heritage, Ralph Lauren is far from stagnant. The brand consistently innovates, offering new designs and collections that fuse classic style with contemporary fashion trends.

9. Global Influence:

Ralph Lauren’s influence extends beyond the US, with a strong brand presence in fashion capitals like Paris, London, and Milan. Its shows during Fashion Week events are highly anticipated, upholding its status as a globally influential luxury brand.

What is The Color Meaning of The Ralph Lauren Labels?

Each Ralph Lauren logo has a color that quickly identifies its place within the brand. Here is a basic rundown of Ralph Lauren’s color codes:

Black Label

The black label is currently visible inside Lauren and RLX Label items. Within the Double RL, goods are a more lightweight black tag. Previously, Ralph Lauren merchandise with a black label was as pricey as those with a Purple Label, but the brand reused the black tag for their collections.

Purple Label

 Within Ralph Lauren, it is regarded as the most opulent and luxurious label. A purple tag is found inside the Purple Label for men and the Assortment Label for women’s items.

Green Label

 The green label has been phased out; however, you may still find it on Lauren’s label items with a black tag.

Blue Label

The most well-known American brand is the blue label, recognized on Polo Ralph Lauren Label tags and Golf and Pink Pony labels. They’re all different tints of blue.

The Differences between Ralph Lauren Labels

The distinctions between all Ralph Lauren labels can be seen in their price, consumer segmentation, shopping experience, aesthetics, and even Ralph Lauren’s events and promotions. All labels have a unified identity, and you can tell the one you’re a part of regarding how much you can spend on an item and its fashion, such as:

Ralph Lauren Purple Label

Within the American brand, it is the most costly label for guys. Many coats and suits under this label have a purple tag. This is the most costly label for men within Ralph Lauren’s realm. Purple is known for its hand-tailoring, high-quality fabrics, and elegant aesthetic. It’s the pinnacle of luxury for the modern gentleman willing to pay top dollar for the most extraordinary things, especially custom-made to-measure suits—a label for discerning men looking for a classy aesthetic.

Polo Ralph Lauren Label

 It is the most well-known brand in the American luxury brand, with children, women, and men all loving it. The price ranges from low for specific items such as socks while a bit high for other items such as watches and coats under this label, including a blue tag. 

As a result, the majority of buyers can afford this label. This label is influenced by sportswear and athletic outfits, in my opinion. Some men’s polos, for example, mix Ivy League classics with traditional English haberdashery. 

Polo shirts are vintage and classic American style, and the Polo label gives them a contemporary and hip edge.

Ralph Lauren Collection Label

 Ralph Lauren Collection is the priciest label within the American brand, which features a purple tag. The insanely expensive pieces don’t surface as frequently on the brand’s website. On the other hand, this demonstrates how pricey the Ralph Lauren Collection label is compared to the other labels within the brand. 

The Ralph Lauren Collection is the Purple Label for ladies and is noted for its hand-tailoring, high-quality raw materials, and sophisticated aesthetics and designs. It represents the pinnacle of feminine glitz and sophistication. These women aren’t hesitant to spend thousands of dollars on a refined and stylish look.

Ralph Lauren Golf Label 

 It is a brand for golfers who want to look their best while participating in the sport. It also has children’s clothing like the Polo Label. 

The Golf Label features a blue tag because it’s also Polo. Some products have more features than others, resulting in higher or lower prices. Top-ranked professional golfers wear and test the Polo Golf Label. 

It’s a brand that caters to the needs of today’s gold players while also incorporating a rich design that combines opulent appearance with cutting-edge performance. It’s a brand for golfers who want to look their best while on the course.

Lauren Label

Lauren is a women-only label that is the most affordable edition of the Lauren Collection. Lauren has a black label now (it used to be green). It’s a more mainstream name for average women who want to wear a high-end brand without spending hundreds of dollars on an item. Lauren Label’s denim, footwear, accessories, dresses, and sportswear all have a timeless style that combines modern femininity and classic style. Lauren has two sub-labels: Lauren Curve (for plus-size women) and Lauren Petite for petite people (small-size women). 

The Lauren Label is designed for everyday women who wish to dress casually for a day out or dress up for a day at work.

Why are Other Labels Under Ralph Lauren High-Priced?

The products seem to be of good quality and durable materials, but is that enough reason to be pricey? Why is it expensive?

It’s a Luxury brand

 It is a luxury brand, suggesting that not everyone can afford to buy something out of the American label; it’s also more difficult to find than Gap, H&M, or Zara.

Love from Celebrities

Celebrities are primarily necessary for every fashion brand because they help raise awareness and create buzz for their products. They also persuade customers to buy a specific item from a label, raising demand for that brand and increasing the price if supply is restricted. 

Johnny Depp, Jennifer Lopez, David Beckham, Kanye West, and Jessica Alba are among the celebrities who have worn Ralph Lauren. If a person associates with any of these stars, they will purchase the same clothing. Ralph Lauren is well aware of this, so its products are more expensive.

Loyal Customer Base

When customers find a brand that fits their needs, they stick with it and buy from it repeatedly. Men and Ralph Lauren have a symbiotic relationship. Ralph Lauren’s collaboration with Palace sold out in minutes, demonstrating the power of Ralph Lauren customers. That wasn’t a cheap collection, and customers were still charged more.

Provides Status and Exclusivity

 When people see you wearing a Ralph Lauren polo shirt, they assume you are wealthy enough to buy such expensive clothing. Some of Ralph Lauren’s labels, such as the purple label, are high-end ones that confer exclusivity and distinction to those who wear them. Other Ralph Lauren labels, such as Lauren Label, are premium brands that are most affordable for people to buy. It is both a luxury brand and a premium brand worth wearing.