Ralph Lauren polo shirts have been popular since their first release in the early seventies, but how durable are they today? Do they shrink?
Ralph Lauren polo shirts are made of one hundred percent cotton, with a few different methods being applied in the production phase. Cotton is extremely susceptible to shrinkage, particularly when washed and dried in a hot environment.
Read on to learn more about the history of Ralph Lauren, and the success of its iconic polo shirts.
The American Dream
Ralph Lauren, the person, not the company, had considerably humble beginnings. He grew up in a busy household in The Bronx, dropped out of college after just two years, and had a brief stint serving in the US Army.
When he’d finished with the US Army (again, after two years), he set his sights on fashion, working momentarily for Brooks Brothers, and then a tie company. Coincidentally, ties would become the first accessory Ralph Lauren would design himself.
However, Lauren’s vision was ultimately centered around sports, owing to his personal interests. He wanted to design, produce, and sell a unique line of clothing with an undeniably sporty image.
His first range of products was dubbed ‘Polo’, with Ralph Lauren leaning on the iconic imagery of the British higher classes playing the prestigious sport. At first, it was an extremely manual grind, with Lauren design, creating, and even delivering these products himself, by hand.
The Ralph Lauren brand would quickly become a success, being sold by one of the most famous department stores in Manhattan. After just two years (again) of almost lone trading, Lauren had turned the Ralph Lauren Corporation into a formidable brand.
It was quickly established that Ralph Lauren was a considerably exclusive name, with the Polo player emblem becoming synonymous with money. The clothing lines Lauren released were highly-priced, fairly exclusive, and most importantly, desirable.
They quickly became favorites of America’s ‘preppy’ elite, with the Ivy League and country club individuals flocking to the brand. In 1974, Lauren equipped the entire male portion of the cast of The Great Gatsby in Polo clothing.
This was an irrevocable turning point for the brand, and it forever tied Lauren’s polo line to the American Dream. That was, of course, the basis of the movie; becoming one of the haves, flaunting your wealth, and living in luxury.
Putting Forward The Polo
It was in 1972 that Ralph Lauren first released its signature line of polo shirts, which today make up its most popular products. Owing to the advanced production methods, clean-cut aesthetic, and intelligent market, Ralph Lauren’s polo shirts would become covetable fashion items.
They were quickly adopted by celebrities, the super-rich, and even sporting personalities. Another aspect that contributed massively towards the polo’s appeal was that it wasn’t dramatically expensive.
Of course, they were priced considerably higher than some brands, but it was generally assumed that Ralph Lauren polos were worth the cost. The driving force behind the brand always remained innovative and market-savvy, making sure to always capitalize on changes and trends.
In 2020, the international research and data agency, YouGov, ranked Ralph Lauren as the 28th most popular clothing brand. However, they subsequently ranked the brand as the 18th most famous.
So, Ralph Lauren is apparently more famous than it is popular, which is a sign of incredible marketing and advertising, as we’ve mentioned.
Protect The Polo
You should have no issues acquiring a Ralph Lauren polo shirt, owing to their modern-day mass availability and semi-affordable prices. In fact, although Ralph Lauren is considered a luxury brand, it doesn’t comply with the industry-standard practices, such as avoiding sales.
Therefore, you can likely find a Ralph Lauren polo shirt at a discounted price, particularly at the annual shopping events. There’s no better time to explore the market than Black Friday.
Once you’ve got your Ralph Lauren polo shirt, how do you care for it?
Firstly, you need to consider the fact that Ralph Lauren polo shirts are made of one hundred percent cotton. Therefore, they’re unfortunately susceptible to shrinking, particularly when washed and dried at a high temperature.
You need to make sure you’re not washing at the highest temperature available on your washing machine. When possible, avoid drying them in a dryer and opt for a hanging or drip-dry method instead.
After all, the last thing you want to do is spend one hundred dollars on a brand new Ralph Lauren polo, only to shrink it in the first wash.