How to read a Ralph Lauren label
How to read a Ralph Lauren neck label and care label: what the line, the RN number and the country of manufacture show, and how a label narrows down when an item was made.
In this guide
A Ralph Lauren label shows more than the brand name. The neck label names the line, and the care label gives the fibre content, the country of manufacture and often an RN number. Read together, they show what an item was made for and narrow down when it was made.
A label gives a range rather than a single year. This guide explains how to read each part of the label, what each part can and cannot show, and in which order to check them.
Why a label gives a range, not a year
Ralph Lauren has produced several lines at the same time, and label designs overlap as older stock is used up. A chart that links one label design to one year therefore describes a tendency, not a rule.
A date taken from a label is best treated as a range and checked against at least one other feature of the item, such as the cloth, the cut or the hardware.
Start with the line on the neck label
The line is the quickest way to narrow the range, because several lines did not exist before a certain year. The main Polo line has been made since 1968, so the name Polo on its own does not date an item. Each line is described in more detail in Ralph Lauren lines explained.
| Line on the label | Earliest possible date |
|---|---|
| Polo Ralph Lauren | 1968 |
| Polo Sport | Early 1990s |
| Double RL (RRL) | 1993 |
| Purple Label | 1994 |
| RLX | 1998 |
An item with an RLX label cannot be older than 1998, and an item with a Purple Label cannot be older than 1994. What each line was made for is described in more detail in the Ralph Lauren guide.
The care label and the 1972 rule
Care labels have been required on clothing sold in the United States since 1972. An item made for that market with a sewn-in care label is therefore, in general, from 1972 or later. This lower limit applies to every brand, not only to Ralph Lauren.
Beyond that, the care label shows the fibre content, the wording or the care symbols and the number of languages. These details are worth noting and comparing with other dated items from the same line.
What the RN number shows
Care labels on clothing for the American market often show an RN number. RN stands for Registered Identification Number, a number issued by the United States Federal Trade Commission to identify the company responsible for marketing or distributing a textile product.
The number can be looked up in the public register of the Federal Trade Commission, by company name or by number. It identifies a company, not a year, so it does not work as a date code. It does show whether the number belongs to the company named on the neck label.
Country of manufacture
The country of manufacture is stated on the care label. It is read together with the line and the construction of the item, and the three should agree with each other. Where one of them does not fit, the item deserves a closer look, and the checks in how to spot fake Ralph Lauren are the next step.
Lettering, weave and print
Comparing the design of a label with dated reference images is a common way to date clothing. Three details are worth checking on the label itself.
The first is whether the label is woven or printed. On a woven label the lettering is formed in the fabric itself, while printed lettering sits on the surface and can fade or crack. The second is the edge of the label: the way it is cut, folded and stitched in can be compared with other items from the same line. The third is the lettering: on a genuine label it is sharp and evenly spaced.
Checking the label against the item
A label is evidence about an item, not a replacement for looking at the item. The simplest check is whether the item agrees with its label.
| What the label shows | What to check on the item |
|---|---|
| Main line (Polo) | Label design and construction, since the line alone gives no date |
| Sportswear (Polo Sport) | Condition of the printed graphics |
| Technical sportswear (RLX) | Zips, seams and hardware made for active use |
| Tailoring (Purple Label) | Flat measurements and alterations at the waist, sleeve and hem |
The checks in order
- Read the line on the neck label. It sets the earliest possible date.
- Check for a sewn-in care label. On an item for the American market, it generally means 1972 or later.
- Note the fibre content, the wording and the number of languages on the care label.
- Note the RN number and look it up in the register. It confirms the company, not a date.
- Note the country of manufacture and check that it agrees with the line and the construction.
- Compare the lettering and the weave of the label with dated reference images.
- Treat the result as a range. If two details disagree, the item needs a closer look.
How items are prepared at leverene
Each item is inspected, authenticated, cleaned and measured before it is added to the store. Each step is described in How leverene works.
Ralph Lauren items can be browsed on the Ralph Lauren page, for men and women.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Ralph Lauren label show the exact year an item was made?
A label gives a range, not an exact year. The line sets the earliest possible date, and the care label narrows the range further.
What does RN mean on a Ralph Lauren label?
RN stands for Registered Identification Number. It identifies the company responsible for the item, as registered with the United States Federal Trade Commission, and does not give a production date.
Which Ralph Lauren labels are the most recent lines?
Of the main lines, RLX is the most recent and began in 1998. Purple Label began in 1994 and Double RL in 1993.
Is every Ralph Lauren item at leverene authenticated?
Every item is authenticated through LegitApp before it is added to the store.
Items can be returned within 30 days.
