RLBL / RLPL Fit Comparables

Can anyone tell me how the Ralph Lauren Black Label and Purple Label suits fit, specifically in comparison to something like Brooks Brothers Fitzgerald / Regent models? Are they too skinny for a conservative office?

Also, when is a good time to buy RLBL / PL stuff - like a solid navy - are there scheduled sales like BB's semi-annual sales when its a good time to buy?

Thanks

Black Label is about as slim as a silhouette gets. I wear it to the office sometimes but I do not work in a stodgy old-fashioned office. I don't know how it would go over at a law firm.

Sales - not so much. Even on sale it will be like $1200. The B&S forum is your best friend.

Yeah, it is tough to find RLBL on sale, especially since only their RTW shirts fit me.

I have both a BB Fitz and several RLBL suits. I can shoot and post some comparison pics if you like.

The RLBL fits much trimmer and req'd no tailoring except in the sleeves and trouser hem while my Fitz had to be taken in on the sides, despite it being Brooks Brothers' slimmest cut. For a frame of reference, I'm 5'9 andm 160 lbs. Also, the RLBL armholes are higher and the sleeves are a bit timmer overall. Lapel width is about the same. Button stance is higher on the Fitz. Trousers are about the same. Slim fitting through the seat and thigh and straight leg below the knee. RLBL suits are better made, but then again they are priced accordingly. Funnily enough, I've paid less for each of my RLBL suits than I did for my Fitz on sale which was $598.

I'd love to hear some comparisons between RLPL and RLBL. It seems that all the RLPL jackets I see listed in a 38 have really wide shoulders.

You can find RLBL on sale if you look. For one thing they have a friends and family sale twice a year. Go in and make nice with the sales people and they will tell you when it is. I have also found seemingly random markdowns, usually near seasons ending. I got a great RLBL suit for $700, originally $1600. I have not idea why the deep discount, but I didn't complain.

Does anybody know when the next Ralph Lauren Friends & Famly sale is? Do they distribute an online code for this as well?

I think you just missed it.
Check the 'Helpful' link in my signature.
There used to be a code on the right-hand side.

i have a 30% discount on polo.com through my company(oct7-13). pm me if you want a deal.

I had used the 30% code that expired 9/30 but I thought they usually do one before Thanksgiving, sometimes with higher discounts, like 40+15% for the fall merchandise they want to get rid of.

Justsayno--I may take you up on that. Thanks.

Originally Posted by irish_man

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Can anyone tell me how the Ralph Lauren Black Label and Purple Label suits fit, specifically in comparison to something like Brooks Brothers Fitzgerald / Regent models? Are they too skinny for a conservative office?

Also, when is a good time to buy RLBL / PL stuff - like a solid navy - are there scheduled sales like BB's semi-annual sales when its a good time to buy?

Thanks

RLBL could be too skinny for a conservative office, but it also depends on your choice of colors. Stay with charcoal or dark gray.

RLBL vs RLPL:
longer vs. shorter jacket
skinner vs. fuller jacket
slimmer vs. fuller jacket sleeves
more pronounced vs. slightly slanted shoulders
narrower vs. bit fuller pants
7-8" vs. 6-7" drop

RLPL is shorter than RLBL? I thought it was the other way around. I think pictures on the RL website show Black Label to have very short jackets. Otherwise I agree entirely.

Beyond fit, I might also add for RLBL:

-the rise is lower
-the stance is lower
-the gorge a fraction higher
-the lapels are narrower

Black Label suits get down to $500-600 during the end of season sales at Ralph Lauren stores. This is cheaper than Brooks 1818 on sale.

As for fit, the Brooks Regent and Fitzgerald are slimmer than the Madison, but they still don't have a lot of shape in the silhouette. The waist needs to be nipped in the BB suits to get something like the Ralph shape.

Originally Posted by Brian278

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RLPL is shorter than RLBL? I thought it was the other way around. I think pictures on the RL website show Black Label to have very short jackets. Otherwise I agree entirely.

Beyond fit, I might also add for RLBL:

-the rise is lower
-the stance is lower
-the gorge a fraction higher
-the lapels are narrower

PL is definitely shorter than BL. My RLPL suit jackets all measured roughly 31" in total length while my RLBLs are roughly 32" in total length. I am size 42R btw. And 42L RLBL jackets measure roughly 33" in total length.

Coming to think about it, RLBL should be longer to compensate for its lower button stance and slimmer silhouette.

The rule of thumb I'd use is that Black Label is a longer, leaner but stronger shouldered silhouette. More V shaped that PL.

Purple Label has shoulders of similar size (-ish) but they're not as strong, so seem less intense. It's still quite trim through the body but not as much as Black, and has a slightly higher buttoning stance and slightly shorter jacket length.

Just my random observations.

There are quite a few photos on this forum of both PL and Black in various threads. Worth having a browse, I'd say.

Thanks for the info everyone. I'll have to try on the BL it sounds like - it may be too lean for me (I'm 6'3" 185 lbs or thereabouts), and I work in an incredibly conservative environment unfortunately.

Anyone tried it out it more conservative environs and been okay with it?