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What’s This About
Ralph Lauren Purple Label is the company’s highest-priced menswear line, launched in 1995 according to Ralph Lauren, and it can be worth it if a garment fits you well and you will wear it often.
This guide explains what Purple Label is and how to judge it, such as
How it differs from Polo Ralph Lauren and RRL
Its history, from English-made suits to Italian production
What the price pays for, with dated prices
Italian sizing and the fit points to check
Outfits built around a navy double-breasted suit and cable-knit jumpers
and many more!
A high price does not prove higher quality, so compare cloth, construction and fit before you buy.
Key Points
01Ralph Lauren’s own timeline dates Purple Label to 1995.
02Its early suits were made at Chester Barrie in Crewe, England, and production later moved mainly to Italy.
03Gentleman’s Gazette gave suit prices of $4,000 to $5,000 and above in January 2025.
04Italian sizing usually adds 10 to the US chest size, so a US 40 is roughly a 50.
What is Ralph Lauren Purple Label?
Ralph Lauren Purple Label is the highest-priced menswear line in the Ralph Lauren range, above Polo Ralph Lauren and RRL (Double RL).
Ralph Lauren’s own heritage timeline dates the launch of Purple Label to 1995, although some menswear writers give 1994.
The line covers tailored suits and evening wear, made-to-measure tailoring, shirts, knitwear, casual clothing, shoes and accessories.
Its look mixes English tailoring traditions with the American preppy style that Ralph Lauren is known for.
This guide explains how Purple Label differs from the other Ralph Lauren lines, what you pay for, how it fits, and how to decide whether it is worth the price to you.
A Brief History of Ralph Lauren Purple Label
Ralph Lauren founded his company in 1967 with a line of ties, and his timeline records his first full menswear collection in 1968.
The same timeline lists his menswear for the 1974 film The Great Gatsby, and the 1920s and 1930s tailoring seen there remains a reference point for Purple Label’s dressier clothes.
Purple Label followed in 1995 as a tailoring-led line drawing on Savile Row traditions.
Its early suits were made in England, at the Chester Barrie factory in Crewe, and production later moved mainly to Italy, according to Gentleman’s Gazette (January 2025) and Chester Barrie’s company history.
Over time the line expanded from tailoring into casual clothing, shoes and accessories.
Is Ralph Lauren an Old-Money Brand?
Ralph Lauren is a modern American company, founded in 1967, that has long drawn on the clothes of Ivy League campuses, English country life, polo and sailing.
Its advertising often shows country houses, vintage cars and equestrian settings, which is why many people link it with the “old money” look.
Old money style is a contemporary label for classic, understated dressing, and wearing it says nothing about anyone’s background or bank balance.
So Purple Label is best understood as one of many sources for that look, not as a marker of who you are.
Purple Label Aesthetic
Purple Label’s style draws on classic European tailoring, 1930s menswear and the English dandy tradition.
Depending on the model, its jackets range from a soft, natural shoulder associated with Italian tailoring to a more structured English shape.
Double-breasted jackets, wide lapels, pleated trousers and a higher trouser rise appear often in its collections.
Its colours lean towards deep navy, grey, brown and cream, the restrained old money colour palette that mixes easily.
Cut changes from season to season, so judge the exact jacket and trousers in front of you rather than assuming one house style.
Purple Label Vs. Other Ralph Lauren Lines
Scroll horizontally to see all columns →
| Feature | Purple Label | Polo Ralph Lauren | RRL (Double RL) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Style | Classic tailoring and refined casual wear | Preppy and sporty | Vintage Americana and workwear |
| Price position | Highest | Mid-range | Premium |
| Where it is made | Check the label of each garment | Check the label of each garment | Check the label of each garment |
Ralph Lauren does not publish production volumes for Purple Label, so claims about exact batch sizes cannot be checked.
The clearest practical differences are the cloth, the amount of tailoring work and the price, so compare those directly.
Why is Purple Label So Expensive?
Like any luxury line, Purple Label’s price is set by the brand, not calculated upward from the cost of cloth and labour.
Several costs explain why it sits above the other Ralph Lauren lines.
Cloth. Its tailoring and knitwear use fine wools, cashmere and other expensive fibres.
Making. Tailored jackets with more handwork and canvas construction cost more to make than fused, machine-made jackets.
Where it is made adds cost too, since European tailoring workshops pay higher wages than mass-production factories.
Shops and brand. Flagship shops, staff, alterations and advertising are all paid for out of the price.
As a dated guide, Gentleman’s Gazette gave full retail prices for Purple Label suits of $4,000 to $5,000 and above in a review updated in January 2025; check Ralph Lauren’s website for current prices where you live.
For a wider look at the line’s pricing, see our separate guide on why Purple Label is Ralph Lauren’s most expensive line.
Is Purple Label Worth the Price?
It depends on your priorities, so judge it against these criteria.
Materials and making. Read the label for cloth and country of manufacture, and check the jacket’s canvas, buttonholes and lining.
On fit, a jacket that fits your shoulders off the rail is worth more to you than any label, because the shoulders are the hardest area to alter.
Use. A navy suit or a plain cashmere jumper you wear every week repays its price faster than evening wear you wear twice a year.
Price. A high price does not prove higher quality, and similar cloth and making can be found from specialist tailors and other brands for less.
As for discounts, Gentleman’s Gazette’s reviewer, who also sells his own menswear accessories, concluded that Purple Label is a good buy when marked down in sales or bought second-hand, but would not pay full retail.
On balance, Purple Label can be worth it if you like its style, it fits you well and you buy the classic garments you will wear most, ideally at a reduced price.
It is harder to justify at full price for fashion-led designs or for men who are happy with the cut of Polo Ralph Lauren.
Is Purple Label High Quality?
Purple Label uses better cloth and more tailoring work than the other Ralph Lauren lines, and Gentleman’s Gazette’s reviewer described its materials and workmanship as good.
Quality still varies between garments, so look closely before you buy.
Tailoring. Look for a floating canvas you can feel between the cloth and the lining, neat buttonholes and a collar that sits flat.
For knitwear, check the fibre content and the density of the knit by holding it to the light.
With shoes and leather goods, check the construction, for example whether a shoe can be resoled.
Purple Label vs Similar Luxury Brands
Purple Label is often compared with tailoring houses such as Kiton and Brioni and with casual luxury brands such as Brunello Cucinelli and Loro Piana.
Kiton and Brioni focus on tailoring, while Purple Label covers a whole wardrobe from suits to casual wear.
Brunello Cucinelli and Loro Piana are known first for knitwear and fine cloth, in softer neutral colours.
Purple Label’s style is more American and more varied in colour and pattern, from English checks to bright summer clothes.
Prices between these brands change often, so compare the exact garment rather than the brand.
Ralph Lauren Purple Label Iconic Creations
The double-breasted navy suit is the garment most often linked with Purple Label tailoring.
Wear a navy double-breasted suit, a white or pale blue shirt, a dark tie or an open collar, and black or dark brown leather shoes.
The safari jacket, a belted four-pocket jacket descended from British khaki military clothing, has been a recurring Ralph Lauren design.
Pair a stone suede or cotton safari jacket with a white T-shirt or knitted polo shirt, cream trousers and brown suede loafers.
Cable-knit cashmere jumpers are among its best-known knitwear.
Layer a cream cable-knit jumper over a blue Oxford shirt, with grey flannel trousers and brown leather loafers.
What Purple Label Makes
Purple Label covers most of a man’s wardrobe, including
Ready-to-wear and made-to-measure suits
Dinner jackets and dinner suits in black and midnight blue
Velvet and jacquard evening jackets
Dress shirts, Oxford shirts and polo shirts
Cashmere, merino and cotton knitwear
Chinos, flannel trousers and denim
Leather, suede and wool outerwear, including overcoats
Oxford shoes, Derby shoes, loafers and leather trainers
Ties, pocket squares, belts, bags and small leather goods
Tweed jackets and country clothing in the British country style
If you are building an old money wardrobe, start with the garments you will wear most, meaning a navy jacket, grey trousers, white and blue shirts and plain knitwear.
Fit and Sizing
Purple Label jacket shapes vary by model, so try the exact jacket before you buy.
Its suits and jackets usually use Italian sizes, and a common conversion is to add 10 to the US chest size, so a US 40 is roughly an Italian 50.
Try the exact size on, because conversions are approximate and models differ.
Check that the shoulder seam ends at your shoulder, that the jacket closes without pulling, and that the sleeves show a little shirt cuff.
Trousers range from slim to fuller pleated cuts, so choose the shape you like and have the length altered to sit cleanly on your shoe.
Conclusion
Ralph Lauren Purple Label is the company’s highest-priced menswear line, launched in 1995 according to Ralph Lauren, with tailoring rooted in English and Italian traditions.
Gentleman’s Gazette rates its cloth and making above the brand’s other lines, but its price also pays for the name and the shops, so judge each garment on cloth, construction and fit.
For most men, the best value lies in classic tailoring and knitwear that fit well and are worn often, bought at full price only if the garment is exactly what you want.
Style Beyond the Ralph Lauren Label
Knowing the Ralph Lauren lines is a useful start, and the outfits that work best for you also depend on your build, your colouring and the occasion.
Check Your Body Shape with The VOU’s body shape quiz for men.
Find Your Seasonal Colours, then take The VOU’s seasonal colour quiz for men.
Dress for the Occasion. Adapt Ralph Lauren garments and mix them with other brands to suit casual weekends, work and formal events.
Personal Help. After our quizzes, if you would like personal help, you can book a paid consultation through our fashion style analysis for men.
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