Too Young for Ralph Lauren Purple Label?

[chvynva916]

I'm a fit, 32-year old professional guy. I typically wear 40R (50R) z-zegna suits or RLBL, both of which fit me very well right off the rack.

Yesterday I came up on a RLPL suit in my size (40R) marked down to $1500. I'm in the market for a new suit, and while this is a bit above (not much) what I wanted to spend, I know it's a great deal and would be willing to splurge if I loved the suit.

Ultimately, I don't love it. The color and design are perfect, but the fit isn't as slim and cut as the z-zegna and RLBL suits that I love. It feels a bit too big for me.

My question is whether people find RLPL (or the other high end lines, Ermenegildo Zegna, Giorgio Armani), while superior in construction, better suited for an older crowd. It reminds me a bit of the Mercedes S-Class or BMW 7-Series. Both superior lines of cars (and somewhat expensive). But I wouldn't expect to see anyone under 50 driving either. I'd much more expect a guy in his 30s to be driving a C-class or 3-Series.

Are the top lines, including RLPL, for older guys? Any thoughts on this?

 

[Gauss17]

There are styles that are certainly targeted at younger/older demographics, but the idea that someone is too old or young for a suit is kind of silly in my opinion. If it is boxy, then it is too big in the waist for you. However, a tailor can solve that problem very easily. I do not think I have ever owned a suit that I didn't have taken in.

Simply decide if you like the styling/construction of the suit, then have a tailor adjust it for you if you like. That said, for less than $1000, you can probably swing a new Brioni, Oxxford, or Zegna off Ebay in a 40R relatively easily. All of which are on par with or better than RLPL.

 

[mcbrown]

Haven't you heard the rules about age brackets?

Under 30: Must wear SuitSupply
30-45: Must wear Brooks Brothers Regent
45-60: Must wear Brooks Brothers Madison
Over 60: Must wear monochrome tracksuits

 

[EriQ009]

I started wearing RLPL at around 30, and feel it is better suited to me now at 35. Purple Label calls for a certain gravitas which is rare in your 20s and early 30s. That said, Purple Label for me requires significantly more altering than Black Label.

 

[suited]



Purple Label calls for a certain gravitas

Considering that 99.9999% of all people you encounter during your entire lifetime will have no idea if you're wearing purple label or JAB, this doesn't make much sense. Unless, of course, you're referring to a specific pattern or fabric that would require the right presentation to pull off, but RLPL isn't really unique in the sense that they always use outrageous patterns that would stand out in the eyes of the average person.

 

[NORE]



Haven't you heard the rules about age brackets?

Under 30: Must wear SuitSupply
30-45: Must wear Brooks Brothers Regent
45-60: Must wear Brooks Brothers Madison
Over 60: Must wear monochrome tracksuits

 

[Quadcammer]

Heyyyy, I love my s-class despite being in my 20s

 

[add911_11]

I think a good suit does not have a age tag, RLPL is one of them.

 

[CentralParkMan]

Firstly you can never be too young for any paticular brand or line of suits. However, with that being said I don't think you should go for the purple label suit because you're not happy with the cut and fit and I think you should only buy a suit if you love it as a suit is an investment piece.

 

[dreamspace]

I bought my RLPL when I was 24.

To be honest, it was pretty roomy when I got it, but far from something like Brooks Bros Madison.

Had the waist taken in , legs slimmed a bit, and now it fits just like I want it to do. Not too slim, but not too baggy. And this is coming from one that detests "old man" suits.

 

[Hacking jacket]

If it fits you reasonably well I would DEFINITELY buy ...just need a good tailor. However I don't know enough about RLPL suits: I've just a few RLPL knotted silk ties.

Why buy?
RLPL appear similar to many Savile Row suits in they both use horsehair canvas. ... If they are built similarly (which i dont know) they can keep for ever and ever.

I have RL Black label chalk stripe (nice cloth and floating canvas) and it was the best value suit I've ever bought. The tailor likes floating canvas, I got the fit and I loved the cloth.

If RLPL uses horsehair floating canvass (the very best) and if its built along the lines of Savile Row, ie extra material for alteration you have a suit that will last: you simply keep sending back for alterations.

Thus at the price you are stating I'd go for it.

 

[GothamRed]

I am 30. I have lots of RLPL, in fact, I'm wearing a couple of pieces now.

Look for the custom fit RLPL if you're looking for something slimmer. RLPL is also getting slimmer by the season, although that means it'll be a little harder to find at discount.

 

[Trompe le Monde]



Purple Label calls for a certain gravitas which is rare in your 20s and early 30s.

oh god.

 

[Hacking jacket]

^ Generation gap

I better offer a correction before a someone with traditional Savile Row suites does.

RLPL is not comparable to the true definition of Savile Row, because SR is 100% bespoke constructed on premises: alterations don't need to take place on premises, some definitely outsource.

Although I own a suit from Savile Row, it isn't a traditional Savile Row suit: its off-the-peg and I go to the outsourcing tailor that one of the big SR tailors use and have it reconstructed. This effectively this is what I was suggesting in this instance.

I find RL hugely impressive and very accessible but I over-extended the boundaries a bit.