Ralph Lauren size guide
A Ralph Lauren size guide: the difference between Classic Fit, Custom Slim Fit and Slim Fit, why the label and the item can differ, and the four measurements that show the size.
In this guide
Ralph Lauren sizes depend on the line, the cut and the age of an item. Two shirts labelled M can differ by several centimetres across the chest, so the letter on the label is a weaker guide than the measurements of the item itself.
This size guide explains the Ralph Lauren cuts, why a label and an item can differ, and how four flat measurements show whether an item has the right size.
The Ralph Lauren cuts
Polo shirts and shirts from the main line come in different cuts, and the cut changes the size more than the letter does. Ralph Lauren names three cuts for its polo shirts.
| Cut | How it is cut |
|---|---|
| Classic Fit | The roomiest cut, with lower armholes and longer sleeves |
| Custom Slim Fit | Between Classic Fit and Slim Fit, with higher armholes and shorter sleeves than Classic Fit |
| Slim Fit | The closest cut, slim through the chest and the waist |
A Classic Fit polo shirt in size M is therefore wider than a Slim Fit polo shirt in the same size. Where the cut is named on the label or in the description, it explains much of the difference between two items with the same letter.
Why the size on the label can differ from the item
Letter sizes have no single standard, and sizing has changed over the decades and between lines. A garment can also change with washing and wear: cotton can shrink, and wool and cotton knits can relax through the body.
Flat measurements describe the item as it is now. That makes them a more reliable guide than the letter on the label, especially for an older item or an item from a line with a different cut.
The four measurements
Every item at leverene is measured flat at four points. With raglan sleeves there is no shoulder seam, so there are three measurements instead of four. Items shown on a model state the model's height and usual size instead of the four measurements.
| Measurement | How it is taken | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
| Chest (pit to pit) | Straight across the chest, from armpit seam to armpit seam | The width of the item, the most useful single number |
| Length | From the highest point of the shoulder straight down to the hem | Whether a jumper or shirt ends at the waist or below it |
| Shoulders | From shoulder seam to shoulder seam across the back | How the item sits on the shoulders, which matters most on jackets and tailoring |
| Sleeve | From the shoulder seam to the cuff, or from the collar on a raglan sleeve | Whether the sleeves reach the wrist |
The full method, including how to measure without stretching the garment, is in the guide to measuring clothing.
How to use the measurements
- Take an item from the wardrobe with the cut that is wanted in the new item.
- Lay it flat without stretching it and smooth out the creases.
- Measure straight across the chest from armpit seam to armpit seam.
- Measure from the highest point of the shoulder down to the hem.
- Compare those two numbers with the measurements stated for the item.
For the same cut, look for the same numbers. For a roomier cut, add three to five centimetres to the chest measurement.
Purple Label and tailoring
Purple Label is the line for tailoring. A tailored item may have been altered by a previous owner at the waist, the sleeves or the hem, so the size on the label may no longer describe it. On tailoring, the shoulder measurement matters most, because shoulders are the hardest part of a jacket to alter.
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.
The cuts and the lines are explained further in the Ralph Lauren guide. Ralph Lauren items can be browsed as polo shirts, shirts and jumpers, or on the Ralph Lauren page.
Frequently asked questions
Does Ralph Lauren run small?
It depends on the cut. Classic Fit is the roomiest cut, while Custom Slim Fit and Slim Fit are cut closer to the body, so the same letter can feel smaller in a slim cut. The flat measurements of an item show its actual size.
Which measurement is the most important?
The chest measurement from armpit to armpit is the most useful single number. Length comes second, and on jackets and tailoring the shoulder measurement matters most.
Why do two Ralph Lauren items in the same size measure differently?
The line, the cut and the age of an item all change the measurements, and washing and wear can change them further.
Items can be returned within 30 days.
