Lacoste vs. Gucci: Which brand should you buy?

Lacoste offers a timeless, sporty, and preppy aesthetic with accessible luxury pricing, making it a go-to for quality everyday wear. In contrast, Gucci is a high-fashion Italian powerhouse known for its bold, eclectic, trendsetting designs and top-tier luxury prices. The core difference lies in their market: Lacoste provides classic, versatile pieces, while Gucci delivers statement-making, runway-ready fashion.

Here’s a clear breakdown to help you decide which brand fits your style and budget.

Lacoste: The Icon of Sporty Elegance

Founded by French tennis star René Lacoste in 1933, Lacoste built its reputation on the iconic polo shirt, blending court-side comfort with off-court sophistication. The brand champions a clean, preppy style defined by its signature crocodile logo. It caters to those who value high-quality, comfortable, and versatile clothing that works for a refined yet casual lifestyle, from weekend activities to relaxed business settings.

• Product mix: Primarily known for its pique polo shirts, Lacoste also offers a full line of apparel including sweaters, t-shirts, and outerwear, alongside footwear, leather goods, accessories, and fragrances.
• Price point: Operates in the accessible luxury space. T-shirts start around $50, its classic polos are around $100, and outerwear can range up to $300+. You get a premium feel without the high-fashion price tag.
• Quality: Known for reliable and durable construction using comfortable materials like high-quality cotton pique. The focus is on longevity for everyday wear, making its clothing a smart investment for your core wardrobe.
• Style & Aesthetic: The look is distinctly sporty, preppy, and clean. It’s defined by timeless silhouettes and classic color palettes, allowing for easy styling and versatility.
• Sizing/Fit: Lacoste's sizing is generally consistent and true to size. Most pieces offer a comfortable, slightly tailored fit that is neither too tight nor too baggy.
• Sustainability: The brand is implementing sustainability initiatives focused on eco-friendly materials and responsible production methods to reduce its environmental footprint.

Lacoste excels at delivering timeless, high-quality, sporty essentials ideal for those seeking dependable everyday luxury and a refined, casual look.

Shop Lacoste: lacoste.com

Gucci: The Apex of Italian Luxury & Maximalism

Founded in Florence in 1921, Gucci has evolved into one of the world's leading luxury fashion houses, known for its creative and often audacious direction. The brand is synonymous with Italian craftsmanship, eclectic maximalism, and setting fashion trends. Gucci attracts a fashion-forward audience that views clothing as a form of self-expression and is willing to invest in unique, high-impact pieces.

• Product mix: Gucci's offerings include a complete range of ready-to-wear for men and women, iconic handbags like the Marmont and Dionysus, footwear, fine jewelry, and critically acclaimed fragrances.
• Price point: As a premier luxury brand, Gucci sits at a high price point. Small leather goods can start around $500, with handbags and shoes often priced between $2,000 and $5,000+.
• Quality: Expect top-tier craftsmanship and exquisite materials. Gucci utilizes fine leathers, silks, and innovative textiles, with an emphasis on artisanal details and construction meant to last a lifetime.
• Style & Aesthetic: The style is bold, eclectic, and unapologetically over-the-top. Characterized by vibrant prints, intricate embroidery, and prominent logos, Gucci is for those who want to be seen.
• Sizing/Fit: Gucci sizing can be inconsistent and often runs small, particularly in its ready-to-wear collections. It is essential to consult specific product sizing charts or try pieces on in-store.
• Sustainability: Through its "Gucci Equilibrium" platform, the brand is highly committed to sustainability, focusing on reducing environmental impact, ethical sourcing, circular economy initiatives, and promoting inclusivity.

Gucci is the clear choice for anyone looking for boundary-pushing, high-fashion pieces that function as wearable art and define contemporary luxury trends.

Shop Gucci: gucci.com

Lacoste vs. Gucci Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a vast price difference between these two brands. Lacoste positions itself as accessible luxury, with most of its core products falling between $50 and $300. You can often find items discounted during seasonal sales or at outlet locations, which provides excellent value.

Gucci is a high-tier luxury brand where entry-level items cost several hundred dollars, and key pieces like handbags and coats are priced in the thousands. Gucci rarely goes on sale, a strategy used to maintain brand exclusivity and value. Essentially, you can purchase an entire Lacoste outfit for the price of a small Gucci accessory.

Quality & Materials

Both brands produce high-quality goods, but for different purposes. Lacoste is known for durable, comfortable materials like its signature cotton pique, designed to withstand frequent wear and washing. It’s an everyday workhorse that maintains its good looks.

Gucci's focuses on supreme craftsmanship and luxurious materials. The construction involves fine leathers, silks, wools, and intricate details crafted by Italian artisans. While durable, these are investment pieces that often require more delicate care and are intended for special occasions or to make a statement, rather than for daily rough-and-tumble wear.

Style & Aesthetic

The aesthetic choice is the clearest differentiator. Lacoste is all about timeless, preppy sportswear. Its designs are clean, versatile, and understated. The iconic crocodile is its main identifier, and the style prioritizes effortless elegance over passing trends.

Gucci's aesthetic is maximalist, eclectic, and trendsetting. Alessandro Michele's recent creative direction revitalized the brand with a mix of vintage inspiration, bold patterns, gender-fluid silhouettes, and eye-catching logos. You choose Gucci to stand out, not to blend in.

Fit & Sizing

Lacoste offers a straightforward and reliable shopping experience when it comes to sizing. Its clothes generally run true to size, with a classic, slightly tailored fit that is comfortable for most body types. You can usually order your typical size with confidence.

Gucci’s fashion-forward designs mean its fit can be more unpredictable. Items may be intentionally oversized, very slim-fitting, or have unique proportions. Sizing often runs small, especially compared to American brands, so consulting the size guide for each specific item is a must.

Sustainability & Ethics

Both brands have publicly committed to improving their environmental and ethical practices. Lacoste is focused on increasing its use of eco-friendly materials and adopting more sustainable manufacturing processes across its supply chain.

Gucci has made sustainability a core part of its brand identity through its high-profile Gucci Equilibrium initiative. This program focuses on comprehensive goals related to environmental impact reduction, promoting circularity, ethical sourcing, and championing diversity. The luxury sector's high visibility gives Gucci's efforts significant influence.

Which One Should You Choose?

The better brand depends entirely on your personal style, needs, and what you’re willing to spend. Both offer excellent products within their respective market segments.

Choose Lacoste if:

• You prefer a timeless, classic, and preppy style that never looks dated.
• You need versatile, high-quality clothing for everyday wear.
• You appreciate an athletic, sophisticated aesthetic for work and play.
• Your budget is geared towards accessible luxury in the $50-$300 range.

Choose Gucci if:

• You want to make a bold, high-fashion statement and follow the latest trends.
• You are looking to invest in designer pieces with artisanal craftsmanship.
• Your personal style is eclectic, vibrant, and loves to experiment with prints and logos.
• Budget is not a primary concern when it comes to acquiring luxury goods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lacoste or Gucci cheaper?

Lacoste is significantly cheaper than Gucci. A classic Lacoste polo shirt costs around $100, whereas Gucci accessories typically start around $500, with clothing and bags costing thousands of dollars. Lacoste offers premium sportswear, while Gucci is a top-tier luxury fashion house.

Which brand has better quality?

Both have excellent quality, but for different contexts. Gucci’s quality is superior in terms of luxury materials and fine, artisanal craftsmanship. Gucci pieces are investment items. Lacoste offers fantastic quality for everyday durability and regular wear, with materials chosen for comfort and longevity.

How does the sizing compare between Lacoste and Gucci?

Lacoste's sizing is predictable and generally true to size, with a standard relaxed fit. Gucci’s sizing is more variable, items often run small and the fit can change dramatically from piece to piece to create a specific fashion-forward silhouette.

Is Lacoste considered a luxury brand?

Yes, Lacoste is considered an accessible or "entry-level" luxury brand. It has a strong heritage and higher quality and price point than mass-market brands, but it is not on the same level of high fashion as brands like Gucci.

What is Lacoste best known for?

Lacoste is world-famous for its original short-sleeved pique polo shirt, created by René Lacoste in 1933. The crocodile logo on the chest is one of the most recognizable brand insignias in the world.

What is Gucci best known for?

Gucci is best known for its iconic luxury handbags (like the Dionysus and horse-bit 1955), its signature double-G logo, high-fashion runway shows, and its bold, eclectic ready-to-wear collections that set global trends.

Do Gucci products ever go on sale?

Officially, Gucci boutiques and its website do not hold sales events. The brand carefully controls its inventory and pricing to maintain a high level of exclusivity and brand value, so discounts are extremely rare.

Which brand has a stronger celebrity following?

Both brands are popular, but Gucci has a much more prominent A-list celebrity following, especially among musicians and movie stars. High-profile figures like Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, and Rihanna are frequently seen wearing Gucci on red carpets and in public.