The Official RRL Thread

[Mollysdad]

Incoming!!

 

[zippyh]

Anyone got the 21 Spring Summer digital Catalog by chance?

I think some one posted a pdf somewhere in this thread.

Found it.

https://www.styleforum.net/attachments/rrl_ss21_catalog_full-pdf.1600855/

 

[kurdo]

Incoming!!

View attachment 1966511

The private sale just started. At least, for me/us in the Netherlands. Just had a look, but nothing I want is in it (yet). The Purple Label selection is much bigger.

 

[zippyh]

Last year sale, started June 28 with additional items added July 26.
In 2021 sale started June 24.

 

[Mollysdad]

Last year sale, started June 28 with additional items added July 26.
In 2021 sale started June 24.

How do you remember the dates??!!

 

[zippyh]

How do you remember the dates??!!

Memory like a steel trap!
Plus I just searched my old emails for orders.

 

[gnatty8]

I avoid these sales like the plague. They are nothing but a reminder of the money I might have saved, were I able to just wait 7 more weeks

 

[cocostella]

Lol. Are these the Slim Fits that many were complaining about fitting weird and generally not up to snuff of years past? Need a new pair of (almost) “raws.”

Slim Fit Selvedge Denim Jeans

Premium selvedge denim from a titan of all things Americana

huckberry.com

 

[kurdo]

I only got into RRL last year. Before last year, I didn't pay much attention to fashion. I like RRL a lot and will stick to it for the foreseeable future.

However, I also love the look of some Purple Label items. While RRL is on the higher-end, Purple Label is even more expensive. Why is that? Is the quality that much better?

For example, this Purple Label jacket goes for 3500 euros:

While this RRL jacket goes for 1850 euros, almost half:

Materials used are the same, the design and colors are a bit different. The Purple Label jacket is "made in Italy", the RRL jacket is "imported".

Some differences and I could come up with reasons to justify the Purple Label's higher price tag, but not a 2x.

I recently ordered a linen Purple Label shirt with flower print. It's the most I have ever paid for a shirt, but I really like it and I badly need some new linen shirts for the summer months. I haven't received it yet, but I do expect to be overwhelmed by its quality. If it feels and looks not much different from other shirts, I will obviously be returning it.

Your insights/opinions are appreciated

PS: the Purple Label jacket is currently in the private sale with 30% off. The RRL jacket is not. So the price difference is, as of now, smaller (2440 euros vs 1850 euros).

 

[Randelpink]

That leather quality looks better on the PL from the photos provided. Where the leather is sourced from and how it’s tanned are also mega cost contributors. Last thing I noticed is the PL has a couple extra flap pockets in its design and a throat tab, the little things add up with RL

 

[kurdo]

That leather quality looks better on the PL from the photos provided. Where the leather is sourced from and how it’s tanned are also mega cost contributors. Last thing I noticed is the PL has a couple extra flap pockets in its design and a throat tab, the little things add up with RL

I wouldn't know what to look for to differentiate good quality leather (RRL?) from excellent quality leather (PL). I would've never noticed or taken the extra flap pockets and throat tab into account if you didn't mention it.

Would you say the price/quality difference is proportionate between RRL & PL (in general, based on your own experience)?

 

[Randelpink]

Can’t help you there, I don’t own anything PL. What I have from RRL is very high quality IMO, but certainly a big fetch on the MSRP for 99% of their offerings across both labels.

 

[Pakman161]

I wouldn't know what to look for to differentiate good quality leather (RRL?) from excellent quality leather (PL). I would've never noticed or taken the extra flap pockets and throat tab into account if you didn't mention it.

Would you say the price/quality difference is proportionate between RRL & PL (in general, based on your own experience)?

Speaking on leather quality - The PL Leather is pebbled if you zoom into the picture. That would indicate that the leather is "full grain" without any sanding/finishing work done to the leather to provide some sort of consistency. This is a leather that is the full hide of the animal, and more natural in appearance. This will also be a thicker leather and noticeable for those who are afficionados of leather. There is also a hand and feel to the leather that will be above the RRL leather. it will drape more naturally on the body - whereas the RRL jacket looks like it may have a stiffer body to it. The color of the leather is more consistent and not "distressed" looking like the leather in the RRL jacket. This would also indicate a fully vegetable tanned leather that is treated with natural dyes. The colors will hold longer onto the leather, even if abused from daily life. But proper care should always be given to leather of this quality to maximize usage. Leathers of that quality are typically sourced from a country, such as Europe, where cattle are not treated as assembly line animals. They are given more freedom to roam and live a fuller life.

When a sanding of leather is performed (RRL jacket), it usually is to remove branding scars, wounds, or other issues. This is considered "top grain" since some of the top layer leather was removed from sanding it down. It's still good quality leather - but some additional work was done to make it look better. Leathers of this nature are typically going to be sourced from South America or China since most meat is raised and churned out in these huge farms with massive gates. The leather is more distressed in appearance with some color fading/inconsistency. Even though that's what the marketing is designed for - it may also indicate that it's not a fully aniline dyed leather. Some paint/burnishing effect may have been done in addition to a partial dyeing of the leather. This is typically a cheaper process, and the leather will not retain the color as long as the aforementioned leather if you treat it poorly. What you'll end up getting over time without proper treatment, is a dull leather jacket that loses the patina.

All leather sourced as a material is a byproduct from the meat industry. Nothing goes to waste. However, where you source the leather byproduct is going to determine cost and quality as the animal is treated differently, and the leather is also finished differently from the tanneries. There is also a limited supply of the more higher-grade leathers with a consistent hand and look.

 

[kurdo]

Speaking on leather quality - The PL Leather is pebbled if you zoom into the picture. That would indicate that the leather is "full grain" without any sanding/finishing work done to the leather to provide some sort of consistency. This is a leather that is the full hide of the animal, and more natural in appearance. This will also be a thicker leather and noticeable for those who are afficionados of leather. There is also a hand and feel to the leather that will be above the RRL leather. it will drape more naturally on the body - whereas the RRL jacket looks like it may have a stiffer body to it. The color of the leather is more consistent and not "distressed" looking like the leather in the RRL jacket. This would also indicate a fully vegetable tanned leather that is treated with natural dyes. The colors will hold longer onto the leather, even if abused from daily life. But proper care should always be given to leather of this quality to maximize usage. Leathers of that quality are typically sourced from a country, such as Europe, where cattle are not treated as assembly line animals. They are given more freedom to roam and live a fuller life.

When a sanding of leather is performed (RRL jacket), it usually is to remove branding scars, wounds, or other issues. This is considered "top grain" since some of the top layer leather was removed from sanding it down. It's still good quality leather - but some additional work was done to make it look better. Leathers of this nature are typically going to be sourced from South America or China since most meat is raised and churned out in these huge farms with massive gates. The leather is more distressed in appearance with some color fading/inconsistency. Even though that's what the marketing is designed for - it may also indicate that it's not a fully aniline dyed leather. Some paint/burnishing effect may have been done in addition to a partial dyeing of the leather. This is typically a cheaper process, and the leather will not retain the color as long as the aforementioned leather if you treat it poorly. What you'll end up getting over time without proper treatment, is a dull leather jacket that loses the patina.

All leather sourced as a material is a byproduct from the meat industry. Nothing goes to waste. However, where you source the leather byproduct is going to determine cost and quality as the animal is treated differently, and the leather is also finished differently from the tanneries. There is also a limited supply of the more higher-grade leathers with a consistent hand and look.

This was incredibly helpful, thank you for taking the time to explain .

I may actually go for the PL jacket now that I know these differences. I like both jackets equally, so I may as well go for the best quality jacket that will last a longer time (and maybe even be still worth something if I decide to part with it down the road).

 

[kurdo]

Question:

Is "Ralph Lauren Country" the predecessor of RRL? I am an eyeing a shirt that is being advertised as "vintage from the 90s" and the label says "Ralph Lauren Country", which I haven't seen before. The shirt is in good condition and priced at $120.

It all looks and sounds good to me, but curious about what the experts here think, especially because of the "Country" label which I am unfamiliar with.