Ralph Lauren shirts

Pre-owned Ralph Lauren shirts, from the Oxford button-down to poplin, striped and checked button-up shirts, most with the embroidered polo player on the chest.

The Ralph Lauren shirt

Ralph Lauren started in 1967 with a range of ties sold under the name Polo and added a full menswear collection in 1968. The embroidered polo player first appeared in 1971 on the cuff of a women's shirt, and on most Ralph Lauren shirts it now sits on the chest. The label inside names the line, such as Polo Ralph Lauren, Lauren Ralph Lauren or Purple Label.

Oxford, poplin and button-down

Oxford cloth is a cotton with a basket weave, slightly heavier and more textured than other shirt fabrics, and it softens with washing. Poplin is woven more tightly and has a smooth, flat surface. A button-down shirt has a collar whose points are buttoned to the front of the shirt, while a button-up shirt is any shirt that closes with buttons down the front. Ralph Lauren makes both in plain colours, stripes, gingham and other checks, and also as short sleeve shirts.

What Ralph Lauren shirts cost in retail versus at leverene

Prices are set per item, up to 80% below the original retail price. Prices for other Ralph Lauren items are in Ralph Lauren below retail.

Size and measurements

Ralph Lauren cuts its shirts in several shapes, such as Classic Fit, Custom Fit and Slim Fit, and the cut also differs between lines and years, so the letter on the label is a rough guide. The method is explained in the guide to measuring pit to pit. The cuts and their measurements are compared in the Ralph Lauren size guide.

The full range is on the Ralph Lauren page, with separate pages for polo shirts and jumpers and for men and women. The Ralph Lauren guide explains the lines and the labels.

Frequently asked questions

How can a genuine Ralph Lauren shirt be recognised?

On a genuine shirt the polo player is densely embroidered, with the rider, the mallet and the horse clearly separated, and the neck label and the care label match the line and the fabric. The seven checks are set out in spotting fake Ralph Lauren.

What is the difference between a button-down and a button-up shirt?

The collar. A button-down shirt has small buttons that fasten the collar points to the shirt, and a button-up shirt is any shirt with a button front, with or without those collar buttons. What to check on each type of item, from the collar to the cuffs, is set out in Ralph Lauren items: what to check.

Can a Ralph Lauren shirt go in the tumble dryer?

The care label inside the shirt gives the instructions for that shirt. Tumble drying is the biggest single cause of shrinkage in cotton. More is in the guide to washing and caring for clothing.