5 Vintage Ralph Lauren Pieces That Are Always In Style

If you like quiet luxury, old money style, or just well made basics that age beautifully, vintage Ralph Lauren fits perfectly. You get quality fabrics, soft color palettes, and easy shapes that work in almost any wardrobe.

Below are 5 pieces of vintage Ralph Lauren that are worth investing in for classic style, from polos and knitwear to chinos and blazers.

 

1. Vintage Ralph Lauren Polo Shirts and Rugby Shirts

The Ralph Lauren polo shirt is as close as it gets to a modern classic. In the 90s and 00s it was everywhere: golf courses, college quads, casual Fridays at the office. A vintage Polo Ralph Lauren polo gives you that same ease, but with nicer fabrics and colors that are often softer and more interesting than new basics.

• Muted navy, cream, stone, and forest green
• Pastels like baby blue, butter yellow, and dusty pink
• Deep jewel tones for autumn
  

Long-sleeve polos and Ralph Lauren rugby shirts add a slightly sportier edge. The best ones use heavyweight cotton, clean stripes, and minimal branding, so they still feel refined.

How To Wear Vintage Ralph Lauren Polos and Rugby Shirts

Essentials:

• Solid color Polo Ralph Lauren shirts in navy, white, grey, or soft pastels
• Subtle striped or color-blocked vintage Ralph Lauren polos
• Long sleeve polos and rugby shirts in simple, classic stripes
• Flat front chinos in stone, khaki, or navy
• Straight leg or slightly relaxed jeans in a clean wash
• White leather trainers or penny loafers
• A simple leather belt

For an everyday uniform, tuck a navy or white vintage Ralph Lauren polo into stone chinos, add a brown belt, and loafers. On cooler days, switch to a striped rugby shirt with straight leg jeans and white trainers, and layer a light jacket on top. Keep colors simple and let the fit and fabric do the work.

 

 

2. Vintage Ralph Lauren Knitwear: Sweaters 

Vintage Ralph Lauren knitwear is all about understated comfort. Think cable knit sweaters, neat V necks, and sweater vests that look quietly expensive without shouting about it.

• Cream, oatmeal, navy, and charcoal
• Soft seasonal colors like burgundy, hunter green, and sky blue
• Fine cotton and wool blends that drape cleanly
  

These are the pieces that make jeans and a shirt feel like an outfit. They layer well, travel well, and look right at home in a café, at the office, or on a weekend away.

How To Wear Vintage Ralph Lauren Knitwear

Essentials:

• Cream or navy cable knit Ralph Lauren sweaters
• V neck sweaters in merino, lambswool, or cotton
  
• White or pale blue Oxford shirts
• High waist or straight leg jeans
• Tailored trousers or pleated skirts
• Loafers, brogues, or low heeled boots

For a quiet luxury look, layer a cream cable knit Ralph Lauren sweater over a pale blue Oxford shirt with tailored navy trousers and loafers. If you prefer something lighter, wear a sweater vest over a crisp white shirt, then add chinos and simple flats or loafers. On off duty days, an oversized knit with straight leg jeans and minimalist trainers always works.

 

 

3. Vintage Ralph Lauren Shirts: Oxfords, Stripes, and Prints

A vintage Ralph Lauren shirt is one of the easiest pieces to build around. The cuts tend to be relaxed but clean, the fabrics feel better than most modern high street shirts, and the designs stay just on the right side of classic.

Look for:

• Oxford button downs in white, blue, and soft pastels
• University stripes in blue, green, red, or multi colour
• Subtle checks, gingham, and small prints
  

These shirts work tucked into tailored trousers, worn loose over jeans, or layered under sweaters and jackets. They are the kind of item you can wear three or four times a week without thinking about it.

 

How To Wear Vintage Ralph Lauren Shirts

Essentials:

• White and pale blue Oxford button down shirts
• Light striped Ralph Lauren shirts in blue, green, or red
• Soft check or gingham shirts in muted tones
• Straight leg jeans in mid or dark wash
• Chinos in beige, stone, or navy
• Simple leather loafers, ankle boots or clean trainers

For an easy everyday look, wear a pale blue vintage Ralph Lauren Oxford half tucked into straight leg jeans with loafers. For something a bit smarter, tuck a striped shirt into tailored trousers, add a belt, and a light knit thrown over the shoulders. In warmer weather, leave a printed shirt open over a plain tee with chinos for a relaxed but cool look.

 

 

4. Vintage Ralph Lauren Outerwear: Blazers and Casual Jackets

Vintage Ralph Lauren outerwear is where the brand’s quiet luxury side really shows. The blazers, tweed jackets and casual Harrington styles mix Ivy League energy with a practical, lived in feel.

You will often find:

• Tweed blazers in brown, grey, or subtle herringbone
• Navy blazers with brass or horn style buttons
• Corduroy jackets in rich autumnal colors
• Summer ready cotton or linen blazers in lighter shades
• Harrington and golf jackets with simple zip fronts and clean lines

Most pieces have minimal branding and classic proportions, which makes them ideal if you want something that feels expensive but not flashy.

How To Wear Vintage Ralph Lauren Blazers and Jackets

Essentials:

• Navy or charcoal Ralph Lauren blazers
• Tweed or corduroy sports jackets
• Lightweight Harrington or golf jackets
• Oxford shirts or fine knitwear for layering
• Chinos or tailored trousers
• Dark, straight leg jeans for smart casual looks
• Loafers, Derbies, or Chelsea boots

For a relaxed but polished outfit, wear a tweed Ralph Lauren blazer over an Oxford shirt with dark jeans and loafers. If you want something lighter, choose a navy blazer over a fine knit and chinos. On casual days, zip up a vintage Harrington jacket over a polo shirt and chinos, then finish with simple trainers or suede loafers.

 

 

 

5. Vintage Ralph Lauren Chinos and Trousers

Tops get most of the attention, but vintage Ralph Lauren chinos quietly hold everything together. The cuts tend to be straight or gently tapered, the rises are comfortable, and the fabrics soften beautifully over time.

• Flat front or single pleat chinos in stone, khaki, and navy
• Occasional colors like soft sage, faded red, or pale blue
• Cotton twills that feel substantial but not heavy
• Clean, unfussy back pockets and discrete branding

These trousers work for almost anything: casual office settings, weekends, dinners, travel. They pair well with polos, shirts, and knitwear, and they help you avoid that “too casual” feeling that pure denim can sometimes bring.

Vintage Ralph Lauren chinos outfits: polos and chinos, shirts and chinos, knits and chinos with loafers or clean trainers.

How To Wear Vintage Ralph Lauren Chinos

Essentials:

• Stone or khaki Ralph Lauren chinos in a straight leg fit
• Navy chinos for a slightly smarter option
• One pair in a subtle colour if you like, such as sage or faded red
• Polos, Oxfords, and lightweight knitwear
• Leather belts in brown or tan
• Loafers, boat shoes, or simple trainers

For a clean everyday base, pair stone chinos with a white or navy polo and loafers. If you want something slightly sharper, swap the polo for an Oxford shirt and add a fine V-neck sweater over the top. Rolling the hems once or twice can keep everything feeling relaxed but intentional.

 

 

 

How To Spot Authentic Vintage Ralph Lauren

Part of the appeal of vintage Ralph Lauren is knowing you are holding a piece with real history. Learning how to recognize authentic tags, fabrics, and details helps you choose better and avoid disappointment.

Common labels include:

• “Polo by Ralph Lauren” on navy tags for a lot of menswear
• “Lauren Ralph Lauren” on green tags, often for womenswear and tailored pieces
• Sub lines like “Polo Sport Ralph Lauren”, “Chaps Ralph Lauren” or “RRL” for specific ranges

Look closely at:

• The pony logo embroidery. It should be clean, with a clear horse and rider, not a fuzzy shape.
• Stitching around collars, cuffs and hems. It should feel neat and consistent.
• Fabric quality. Vintage Ralph Lauren usually uses cotton and wool that feel substantial and age well.

You do not need to become a historian, just familiar enough with the main tags and how genuine fabrics and logos look. Over time, this becomes almost instinctive and makes finding great pieces a lot more satisfying.

Why Vintage Ralph Lauren Still Looks Good Today

Vintage Ralph Lauren works so well now because it sits in that sweet spot between dressed up and relaxed.

• Timeless Design
  The shapes are classic, not trend driven, which means you can wear them for years without feeling out of date.

• Comfort And Quality
  Polos, knits, chinos and shirts are made to be lived in. Fabrics soften, colors age gracefully and the pieces often look better with time.

• Quiet Luxury Feel
  Subtle logos, clean cuts, and good materials give the sense of ease people associate with old money style, without needing big, obvious branding.

• Easy To Mix And Match
  Most vintage Ralph Lauren pieces sit happily with modern basics you already own. A single blazer, knit or polo can lift a whole outfit.

If you build a small collection of vintage Ralph Lauren polos, shirts, knits, and chinos, you will always have something to wear that looks effortless, pulled together, and quietly confident.