Drop It Like It's Haute!

Ralph Lauren “Re-relevant”!?

I’ve been wanting to submit this post for well over a year but wanted it to be so inclusive and thorough including all pertinent ideas and photos etc…that it just kept being considered a project tabled for tomorrow(s)…but if I don’t start somewhere I’ll never get it done…So let’s just call this part 1.

In my extensive travels I’ve enjoyed being able to visit multiple Ralph Lauren Stores and outlets…I almost named this post Ralph Lauren “Making a Comeback” but I figured I’d get lots of arguments to the contrary being that RL has seemingly always been on the scene…

To which I too agree but will argue that for the last over a decade Ralph Lauren/Polo has basically been merely a “Staple” collective at best!  Traditional polo shirts, jackets and sweaters etc…

HOWEVER…these last 3yrs. or so I’m seeing a dramatic change!!!  To qualify my “Re-relevant” designation I have noticed quite the design/designer upgrade/improvement!  (Like I said before, wish I would’ve had the time to research what new talent they’ve staffed to reflect this change in design) 

With the recent “spike” in premium couture/designer sales and interest, Ralph Lauren has seemed to take this cue…especially when it comes to the men’s line!  I can remember the “status” that was associated with “donning” Ralph Lauren/Polo apparel back in the 80’s & 90’s which seemed to have diminished considerably in the new millennium to just normal run of the mill wares…BUT NO MORE!!!

There has been an obvious effort made on the part of Ralph Lauren to distinguish between “classes” of offerings! (eg. Purple Label, Black Label, RLX, Rugby, Ralph Lauren, RL Denim, Polo etc…) and trust me when I tell you the superior offerings rival those of any couture designer houses out there!

Not only so…but in each class of offerings Ralph seems to be vying to be the premier designer in each class!  (see RL Rugby line!)

Like I stated before I’ve had the privilege to visit multiple RL stores and outlets and I’d like to share some of my observations with you…

My more notable visits have been to:

1. Ralph Lauren Michigan Avenue:  This store really could almost qualify as a “Flagship” store!  The attention to store design is incredible!  It’s like stepping into an old world Spanish Estate.  This store boasts an elegance an opulence rivaled by none other!  As I perused the store I couldn’t help but think that Ralph Lauren himself had a personal involvement in both the design and decorating of this store!  All that’s missing here is a small un-assuming cafe/bistro area like some Neimans and Nordstroms boast.  So as to sit, chat, and sip expresso’s…not the purpose I know but just sayin’…Let me also mention that this store had the most complete representation of all of RL’s brands under one roof that I’ve seen thus far!  AMAZING!

   

   

   

   

2. Unfortunately I actually have to leave this ranking/spot open until I can pinpoint just what mall I visited this quaint but chocked full of merch RL store at?  It gets my nod for #2…Again it boasted a small but thorough offering of some rare RL pieces.  Sorry I can’t be more specific yet…this is going to bug the ba-j___’s out of me until I can remember!  I’ll get back! (NY maybe?)
3. Bloomingdales at 900 North Shops (MI Ave Chicago IL)…yes inside of Bloomies!  The Ralph Lauren shop in this particular dept. store is absolutely unforgettable!!!  I have at times in my travels referred to this store in my mind trying to locate it again not remembering that it wasn’t a free-standing brick and mortar RL store!  This location has some of the most exclusive and rare RL casual/couture pieces anywhere!  While average in square footage they boast some of the most unique sweater offerings I’ve EVER seen!  This is a surprisingly easy #3 pick being that the pieces you find here may not even be found other than in NY stores and that being few and far between at best!  If it weren’t for the physical store itself on MI Ave this could’ve easily been my number 1 or 2 pic!  VISIT THIS STORE!!!
4. They all get pretty indistinguishable from here because the former are tremendous standouts…but again on the merits of store/structure alone I’d be remiss not to give this spot to the Beverly Hills store on Rodeo Dr.  While the actual offerings were to me predictable and not as exclusive as the store’s appeal itself…it does boast a unique shopping/browsing experience.  You’ll find some “bumped-up” staples here and sure a lot of “Niceties” but nothing to go out of your way for.  Neither would I pass up any other Ralph Lauren store to “shop” this one!  Nice to look at though!

   

5. The Troy, Michigan store (Detroit) at Somerset Mall is never disappointing and always has a nice broad but small selection of current RL offerings!
6. Macy’s in the Beverly Center in Los Angeles, CA.  The RL section had an awesome selection of custom polo’s and a small selection of other rare RL offerings…esp. pants, cargos’ etc…
7. Dallas Northpark…I would’ve ranked this store #5 but I’ve only been there once and like to either be “knocked off my feet” by a store or personally experience some degree of consistency in offerings…however this was a great store with a fairly engaging staff…(in a good way)
8. Las Vegas on LV Blvd.  As competitive as you’d expect from any Las Vegas Store!  I often call Las Vegas shopping a “Consolidated Micro-NY Experience”…you won’t go wrong here for unique pieces…however if you’re from a cold weather/winter climate you won’t find the nicer heavy sweaters, coats, and nice niche winter accessories in abundance like you would at other stores.
9. Bloomie’s in Mall of America (Minneapolis, MN) Small but what they have is always nice and memorable!
10. Macy’s in Mall of America…great for clearance deals on basic RL offerings!
11. Miami Southbeach RL store on Collins… Don’t remember anything special about it…basically nice I’m sure…I think…?
12. Pavilions 563 Mall in Sacramento CA…kinda like above but if I remember correctly every store at this outdoor mall seemed to be VERY conservative… (nice but blah)

I’ve visited too many of the Ralph Lauren “Factory Stores” (outlets) to mention but the nicest I’ve visited was in Aurora, IL (north Chicago suburbs)…please remember when shopping “Factory-Outlets” that it’s not like 5 years ago and beyond, where the brick and mortar stores would ship the merchandise that didn’t sale to the outlet(s) and sell it at a discount…but now the mfg.’s actually make lesser quality merch specifically for the outlets (often quite generic) with the occasional regular offerings from previous seasons/stores sprinkled in…So sift through the “For the Outlet” produced merch and find the REAL goods…(literally)

I must mention that I’ve found some of my best and most exclusive pieces at various Saks 5th Avenue stores throughout the country!  As far as the “High-End” Dept. Stores are concerned…in my experiences, Saks easily defeats all of its competitors as far as men’s RL apparel is concerned!  Especially the Ralph Lauren footwear!  I said Ralph Lauren Footwear…NOT POLO…There are several BIG differences!!!

I’d love to hear about your Ralph Lauren/Polo experiences and would welcome seeing your pics as well!  Let us know of your observations…see the subsequent post on this Ralph Lauren Vest as “proof positive” of such finds that are out there…

As if this post wasn’t obnoxiously long enough…it is to be continued!!!