Why Ralph Lauren is a Thrifting Essential

Few brands show up as often on thrift store racks (and reseller closets!) as Ralph Lauren. Whether you’re sourcing for yourself or building inventory, understanding Ralph Lauren’s enduring appeal in the secondhand market can help you make better decisions and earn more on the time you invest.

I grew up in the ’80s, when brands like Polo Ralph Lauren, Benetton, Swatch and Lacoste were all the rage and people would brag about their brands and how much they cost. These days you’re more likely to hear people bragging about how little they paid for designer finds instead, and cheap thrift store finds have helped me build a huge wardrobe that features several Ralph Lauren brands. The global secondhand clothing market grew 14% in 2024 (source), and heritage brands like Ralph Lauren were at the heart of the surge because of their quality construction and timeless designs.

Ralph Lauren’s Sustainability Commitment

Ralph Lauren isn’t just benefiting from the circular economy—they’re actively embracing it. In 2022, they introduced a “Live On” program that outlines their commitment to help products “live on” through resale, repair, and recycling. Ralph Lauren is also piloting ways for consumers to rent, repair, and recirculate their apparel in select cities. For buyers and sellers of secondhand fashion, the programs reinforce that Ralph Lauren products are designed with longevity in mind.

How Ralph Lauren Performs

According to research from Closet Tools, Ralph Lauren is the 27th most popular brand on Poshmark (that doesn’t even include sub-brands, like Lauren Ralph Lauren or Polo Ralph Lauren) and items sell for an average price of $33 USD, generating over 12,000 sales per month. Premium brands do even better. Purple Label, Ralph Lauren’s top luxury tier, has items selling on Poshmark at an average of $153. Finding any of these at a local secondhand store is always a coup, as many stores don’t differentiate brands and often undervalue premium items.

Ralph Lauren operates several sub-labels at very different quality and price points, so knowing which is which can make or break your sourcing decisions.

Polo Ralph Lauren is the flagship level that you’ll encounter most often. Quality is generally good, and brand recognition means it’s always in demand. Your best bets are items with “Made in USA” or “Made in Italy” tags from the 1980s and 1990s. More recent items still sell well (especially men’s!), and they’re staples of my reseller closet.

Purple Label is the top of the line. If you find one in a thrift store, think of it as hitting the jackpot! It can take some time to sell, but the wait is worth it; it sells at significantly higher margins.

RRL (Double RL) is my favorite Ralph Lauren brand, inspired by his Colorado ranch. The aesthetic isn’t for everyone, but those who want the workwear, Western-style, and high quality will pay well for it.

Polo Sport from the 1990s has strong demand driven by ’90s nostalgia and crossover appeal. Current Polo Sport is less collectible but can still sell well.

Lauren Ralph Lauren (LRL) is the most affordable women’s line, often found in department stores. It’s fine for personal wear but it doesn’t command strong resale profit. Similarly, Chaps is a licensed line with lower quality and minimal resale value. Skip it unless you’re buying it for yourself.

Polo Jeans Co is a vintage licensed brand, meaning a third party designed and manufactured these pieces without input from Ralph Lauren. Although some items with an obvious Ralph Lauren aesthetic can sell, this brand can also carry a stigma as many RL superfans do not consider it to be “real” Ralph Lauren.

Ralph Lauren Sourcing Tips

Here’s how to source Ralph Lauren pieces effectively:

• Check the tags first. Learn to quickly identify which sub-brand you’re looking at and use that as a basis to judge quality and potential resale value. Products listed as made in USA, Italy, or England also generally indicate better construction and higher resale value.
• Inspect items carefully. Check for stitching, staining, and holes. Cashmere sweaters in particular are prone to having holes, so make sure to double-check any fine knits.
• Know which categories are profitable. Sweaters, outerwear, oxford shirts, blazers, and ties consistently sell well. Basic t-shirts and casual items tend to have lower value.
• Watch for counterfeits. Ralph Lauren is heavily counterfeited in some markets. Watch for tight, proportional embroidery on the polo player logo. The horse’s tail should be clearly visible and the rider’s leg outlined. Loose threads or unclear details are red flags.

Conclusion

Ralph Lauren’s mix of timeless design, documented quality, and now official sustainability programs create a highly favourable situation for secondhand buying and selling. The brand’s acknowledgement that its pieces should “be worn, loved and passed on for generations” just validates what thrifters and resellers already know.

Whether you’re sourcing Polo shirts at $5 to flip for $30, or you stumble across a Purple Label blazer for $50 to add to your own closet, Ralph Lauren is one of the most reliable brands in the thrifting ecosystem. Learn the tiers, check tags, inspect quality, and you’ll consistently make better decisions as you source Ralph Lauren products.

For more guidance on building a profitable clothing resale business, be sure to check out The Complete Guide to Clothing Resale.