RalphLauren = Best American clothing line.

[FormalFashion08]

Who is their competition? We get their amazing polos, comfortable sweaters, durable dress shirts, casual pants, PURPLE LABEL, and black label, and a lot more.

 

[vitaminc]

Forever 21 and Juicy Couture.

 

[GiltEdge]

RL and Rogan Gregory

 

[ppllzz]

abercrombie

 

[Tarmac]

Everything good by RL is made by somebody else. And usually not American.

 

[sartort]

True, but it's still an american clothing line. There aren't that many american designers/clothing lines that are made exclusively in the US. I know TB and BoO are off the top of my head.

 

[tiecollector]

J Crew is the most similar but they seem to have been founded to provide RL for cheaper. RL is one of my faves.

 

[vitaminc]

Originally Posted by sartort

True, but it's still an american clothing line. There aren't that many american designers/clothing lines that are made exclusively in the US. I know TB and BoO are off the top of my head.

also american apparels

 

[dkzzzz]

Proenza Schouler > Ralph Lipshitz x10000

 

[Tarmac]

Originally Posted by sartort

True, but it's still an american clothing line. There aren't that many american designers/clothing lines that are made exclusively in the US. I know TB and BoO are off the top of my head.
Yes but there is a difference. RL doesn't just use foreign factories, they actually just take existing clothing companies' clothing and rebrand them. In one way they could be commended, they don't seem to care who makes it, as long as its nice. On the other hand, they are just a clearinghouse for superior foreign clothing.

 

[JTA]

Agree with sartort regarding Band of Outsiders and Thom Browne though different market segment.

 

[unpainted huffheinz]

Originally Posted by Tarmac

Yes but there is a difference. RL doesn't just use foreign factories, they actually just take existing clothing companies' clothing and rebrand them.

All of the clothing made by Corneliani, Caruso, Canterelli and St Andrews is to Ralph Lauren specs.

 

[edmorel]

For all the Ralph Lauren hate, the reality is that his top stuff in men's and women's wear competes with the best in RTW and his is the only brand that covers such a large portion of the fashion spectrum. From hood rats to full dandy's, RL has you covered. And when their stuff is good, it's really good. RLPL and RL Black are not to my taste but it's great stuff. Obviously there are a lot of duds in the lineup but when you think of the sheer number of products put out by the company, it is understandable that they'll have crap like the big pony stuff and that other junk. I prefer the RL branded EG's, St. Andrews, Corneliani to their own stuff. The only maker for RL where I prefer the original is caruso, and that is more a styling issue. The Lorenzini shirts suck though, but I am a Lorenzini hater.

 

[TheFusilliJerry]

ralph lauren is one of my favorites - they get a lot of flack(sp?) around here because they are so mainstream and the polos tend to call to mind frat boys in flip flops and cargos

 

[voxsartoria]

Originally Posted by edmorel

For all the Ralph Lauren hate, the reality is that his top stuff in men's and women's wear competes with the best in RTW and his is the only brand that covers such a large portion of the fashion spectrum. From hood rats to full dandy's, RL has you covered. And when their stuff is good, it's really good. RLPL and RL Black are not to my taste but it's great stuff. Obviously there are a lot of duds in the lineup but when you think of the sheer number of products put out by the company, it is understandable that they'll have crap like the big pony stuff and that other junk. I prefer the RL branded EG's, St. Andrews, Corneliani to their own stuff. The only maker for RL where I prefer the original is caruso, and that is more a styling issue. The Lorenzini shirts suck though, but I am a Lorenzini hater.

"Dearest Ed,

Thank you for your kind comments. I have always admired you, and your praise brings a tear to my eye. At the end of this evening, you may have the sweater that I am wearing.

Best,
Ralph"

- B