Lacoste vs. Ralph Lauren: Which brand should you buy?

Lacoste is known for its timeless, tennis-inspired casual luxury, defined by its iconic crocodile logo and athletic silhouettes. By contrast, Ralph Lauren epitomizes classic American sophistication, offering a wider range of styles from casual preppy staples to formalwear and home goods, all centered on a refined, aspirational lifestyle.

Let's compare these two iconic brands to help you decide which one best fits your personal style and needs.

Lacoste: The Sporty-Chic Original

Lacoste is a premium casualwear brand built on a legacy of athletic elegance. Founded by tennis player René Lacoste, the brand's identity is rooted in high-performance comfort and a clean, preppy aesthetic. It targets consumers who appreciate understated luxury, quality materials, and a sporty yet refined look that works on the tennis court, at the country club, or for a casual weekend out.

• Product mix: Known for its iconic pique polo shirts, Lacoste's collection also includes T-shirts, sweaters, dresses, outerwear, footwear, and accessories. The focus remains on sporty, casual pieces.
• Price point: Lacoste fits into the premium category. Its classic polo shirts typically cost between $80 and $150, with outerwear and other items priced higher.
• Quality: The brand is famous for its durable and breathable pique cotton, which holds its shape and color well over time. The craftsmanship is consistent, with precise stitching and a high-quality feel.
• Style & Aesthetic: The overall vibe is sporty, timeless, and effortlessly chic. Lacoste focuses on clean lines, classic colors, and its easily recognizable crocodile logo, avoiding overly trendy designs.
• Sizing/Fit: Fit tends to be true to size with a European cut, which can feel slightly slimmer than American brands. They offer Classic Fit (straighter), Slim Fit, and a Regular Fit that falls in between.

Lacoste is the go-to brand for an authentic, high-quality piece of sportswear history, delivering exceptional comfort and a clean, athletic aesthetic.

Shop Lacoste: lacoste.com

Ralph Lauren: The Icon of American Style

Ralph Lauren is a lifestyle brand that embodies classic, sophisticated American style. From the campus to the boardroom, its clothing is designed to be timeless and aspirational. Famous for its polo player logo, the brand offers a vast universe of products that includes everything from iconic polo shirts and tailored suits to luxury home decor, representing a complete vision of an elegant life.

• Product mix: Incredibly broad, spanning casualwear, formalwear, accessories, fragrances, and home furnishings. While known for its polo shirts, Ralph Lauren also offers expertly tailored blazers, luxury knitwear, evening gowns, and rugged outerwear.
• Price point: The pricing is tiered, from the accessible Polo Ralph Lauren line (polos from $80-$150) to the high-end Ralph Lauren Collection, where pieces can cost thousands of dollars.
• Quality: Meticulous attention to detail and high-quality materials are signatures of the brand. Materials include fine cottons, wools, cashmere, and silks, especially in its more expensive collections.
• Style & Aesthetic: The aesthetic is polished, preppy, and perennially stylish. Ralph Lauren successfully balances classic American sportswear with sophisticated, often English-inspired, tailoring for a look that's both smart and relaxed.
• Sizing/Fit: Ralph Lauren offers a wider variety of fits, including Classic, Custom Slim, and Slim Fit, alongside specialized fits for its tailored clothing. Sizing is generally consistent and aligns with standard American measurements.

Ralph Lauren provides a more extensive wardrobe for all of life's occasions, built on a foundation of timeless design and dependable quality.

Shop Ralph Lauren: ralphlauren.com

Lacoste vs. Ralph Lauren Comparison

Price Comparison

For their core product - the polo shirt - both Lacoste and Ralph Lauren are priced similarly, generally between $80 and $150. Both brands host seasonal sales that offer significant discounts.

The main difference appears in the breadth of their offerings. Ralph Lauren operates several tiers, with its luxury lines like the Ralph Lauren Collection commanding significantly higher prices for suits, gowns, and handcrafted accessories. Lacoste remains more focused on the premium sportswear segment, making its highest-priced items, like outerwear, generally more accessible than Ralph Lauren's top-tier formalwear.

Quality & Materials

Both brands have a strong reputation for solid quality and craftsmanship. Lacoste's specialty is its signature pique cotton, known for its unique texture, breathability, and durability. It’s a fabric built for comfort and activity, honoring the brand's sportswear roots.

Ralph Lauren also uses high-quality cotton for its polos but offers a much wider variety of materials across its collections. You'll find fine cashmere, wool suiting, silk, and shearling, especially in its higher-end lines. For a casual polo, the quality is comparable, but if you're seeking items made from more luxurious, traditional fabrics, Ralph Lauren presents more options.

Style & Aesthetic

Lacoste’s aesthetic is clean, minimal, and distinctly sporty. It’s understated French chic meets country club prep. The look is more relaxed and casual by nature, easily paired with shorts, chinos, or jeans for an informal yet put-together appearance.

Ralph Lauren’s style is more layered and aspirational. While it is also rooted in preppy sportswear, its identity is broader, encompassing everything from Ivy League-style to Western Americana and formal high society. Its pieces are designed to be easily dressed up, a Ralph Lauren polo often feels right at home under a navy blazer, something less common for a Lacoste shirt.

Fit & Sizing

Lacoste is known for a slightly more athletic, European cut. Its Slim Fit is noticeably tailored, while its Classic Fit provides more room without being baggy. Customers often find the sizing to be consistent and true to size but leaning toward the slimmer side.

Ralph Lauren offers a broader array of fits to suit different body types and style preferences. From its roomy Classic Fit to the more modern Custom Slim Fit, there's an option for everyone. Because its product range includes structured items like suits and blazers, its sizing system is well-defined to ensure a proper fit across different categories.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both brands represent excellent quality and timeless style, but they cater to slightly different priorities and lifestyles.

Choose Lacoste if:

• You prioritize comfort and a sporty, relaxed aesthetic.
• Your personal style is more casual and you appreciate understated, minimal designs.
• You want a breathable and durable polo shirt perfect for active days or warm weather.
• You prefer a slimmer, more European fit in your clothing.

Choose Ralph Lauren if:

• You're building a versatile wardrobe that needs to transition from casual to semi-formal occasions.
• You gravitate towards a classic, polished, and sophisticated American look.
• You want to invest in timeless pieces like blazers, cashmere sweaters, or tailored shirts in addition to casualwear.
• You prefer a brand that represents a complete lifestyle, including options for homeware and formalwear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lacoste or Ralph Lauren cheaper?

For key items like polo shirts, the prices are very similar. However, Ralph Lauren's overall product range extends into a much higher luxury price point with its formalwear and high-end collections, making it the more expensive brand overall. Lacoste tends to have more frequent sales, which can make its products more accessible at times.

Which brand has better quality?

Both brands offer excellent quality. Lacoste is renowned for its specific expertise in pique cotton, which is exceptionally durable and comfortable. Ralph Lauren offers high quality across the board, with its more expensive lines featuring luxury materials like cashmere and fine wools, reflecting superior craftsmanship.

What is the sizing difference between Lacoste and Ralph Lauren?

Lacoste generally runs slightly smaller and slimmer due to its European heritage, with a more athletic cut. Ralph Lauren follows standard American sizing and offers a wider variety of fits, from classic and boxy to very slim, to accommodate different body types and preferences.

Which is better for polo shirts?

This is a matter of personal preference. A Lacoste polo is often seen as the sportier option, with lighter, more breathable fabric ideal for activity or summer. A Ralph Lauren polo is a classic, versatile staple that can be easily dressed up under a jacket and is available in a wider array of colors and fits.

Is Lacoste considered a luxury brand?

Lacoste is positioned as a premium or accessible luxury brand. It's known for its heritage, quality, and iconic status, but it is not a high-fashion house on the same level as brands like Gucci or Hermès.

Do both brands ever go on sale?

Yes, both Lacoste and Ralph Lauren hold seasonal sales, typically at the end of spring/summer and fall/winter seasons. Shopping during these periods can lead to significant savings on classic items.