Why is Ralph Lauren cheap in Bali?

The short answer is: The “Ralph Lauren” items you see in Bali are not the authentic US brand.

They are what fashion experts call “Legal Fakes.”

While they are technically legal to sell within Indonesia due to a trademark loophole, they are not manufactured, designed, or authorized by the Ralph Lauren Corporation based in New York. This is why they cost $20–$30 instead of $100+.

Here is the breakdown of why this happens and what you are actually buying.

1. The “First-to-File” Loophole

In the United States, trademark rights are generally established by who used the name first. In Indonesia, the law has historically favored who registered the paperwork first.

• The History: Decades ago, a local Indonesian company legally registered the trademark rights to the name “Polo” and “Ralph Lauren” within Indonesia before the American company did.

• The Result: This local company has the legal right to manufacture clothing, sew “Polo Ralph Lauren” tags on it, and open shops that look exactly like the real thing. The real Ralph Lauren Corporation has been fighting this in court for years but currently does not operate a single physical store in Indonesia.

2. How to Spot the Difference

If you walk into a “Polo” store in Bali (even at the airport or big malls), you are likely buying the local version. Here is how to tell them apart from the authentic American brand:

3. Should You Buy It?

• Yes, if: You just want a cheap, decent-quality polo shirt for your holiday and don’t care about the brand heritage. Many tourists find the quality “good enough” for the price.

• No, if: You are expecting the durability and prestige of the real luxury brand. These shirts have zero resale value and the fabric will likely shrink or fade faster than the authentic version.

Pro Tip: If you want to be 100% sure you are buying the real thing while in Asia, stick to the official Ralph Lauren website or major international department stores in Singapore or Japan, rather than street boutiques in Bali.