Why is Ralph Lauren RRL?

RRL (pronounced “Double R L”) is Ralph Lauren’s high-end sub-label focused on heritage workwear, Western style, and vintage Americana.

It is considered by many fashion enthusiasts to be the “crown jewel” of the Ralph Lauren empire because of its obsession with historical accuracy and fabric quality.

Here is the breakdown of what the name means and why the brand exists:

1. What “RRL” Stands For

The name comes from The Double RL Ranch, Ralph Lauren’s personal 16,000-acre working cattle ranch in Colorado.

• The Letters: The two “R’s” stand for Ralph and Ricky (his wife).

• The Origin: When Ralph bought the ranch, he wanted clothing that could actually withstand the rugged conditions of ranch life but couldn’t find anything on the market that met his standards for both style and durability. He essentially created RRL to dress himself for his own lifestyle.

2. The Style: “Cosplay for Cowboys and Miners”

While the main “Polo” line is preppy (think country clubs and tennis), RRL is gritty. It draws direct inspiration from:

• The American West (1890s–1930s): Cowboy boots, snap-button shirts, and Navajo-print blankets.

• Early Industrial Workwear: Clothes worn by gold rush miners, railroad workers, and mechanics.

• Military Surplus: Authentic reproductions of WWII officer chinos and field jackets.

3. Why It Is So Expensive

A pair of RRL jeans can cost $300–$500, and a leather jacket can hit $2,000+.

• Fabrics: They use exclusive Japanese selvedge denim and heavy, custom-woven cottons that are often reproduced from 100-year-old swatches.

• Construction: Many items feature “period-correct” details, like using chain-stitch embroidery or specific sewing machines from the 1920s to get the seams to pucker exactly how they did a century ago.

• No Branding: Unlike the big “Polo Pony” logo, RRL branding is extremely subtle. You are paying for the fabric and cut, not the logo on your chest.

In short: RRL is Ralph Lauren’s love letter to the rugged American past. If Polo is for the boardroom and the yacht, RRL is for the workshop and the open range.