Name: Ralph Lauren’s Vintage Collection Prices Are INSANE — So Why Are We Still Paying Them?
Uploaded: 2026-02-25T12:22:22.000Z
Duration: 9 min 47 s
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Since 2001, Ralph Lauren has had a vintage collection where they sell old but also relatively new pieces from past seasons.

Relative clauses (Restrictive vs. nonrestrictive)

And as someone who used to buy and sell pre owned Ralph Lauren to pay his rent, I can confidently say these prices are out of control and people are paying them and some of the pieces added to this collection.

But I think there's a lesson in all this.

Here we have a 2009 mesh graphic polo shirt that sold for $175.

We've got some big numbers, we've got some script, we've got some fishing poles.

Or check out this 2009 double pony polo shirt.

Got some big old polo ponies on the front, some bright colors and it sold for $195.

But check out this, here's one for sale on poshmark selling for $49 for free shipping.

Or check out this 2017 Dragon Print Polo shirt.

Got a big old dragon on the front of it, sold for $175.

But hey looky here, here's one selling for $25 on Depop plus a little bit in shipping.

Or check out this 2011 plaid patchwork vest that sold for $450.

But looky here we have pretty much the same vest, just a different color lining that is going for $60 plus little shipping on Depop 450 or 60.

Or looky here we have a 2003 Polo Jeans Co jacket selling for $395.

Now for those that don't know, Polo Jeans Co is a diffusion line, basically a lower quality line that Ralph Lauren used to offer.

Here's the same jacket selling for $30 on eBay plus some shipping from Canada, our friendly neighbors to the north.

Okay, so there are some practical reasons for buying pre owned Ralph Lauren directly from Ralph Lauren.

For one, there is essentially no chance that the piece is not legit.

And if you've never bought pre owned clothes before and you're looking to buy a cool gift for your vintage loving Gen Z kid, and

you know you can trust Ralph Lauren, it just makes the process a whole lot easier.

In the same way some people are willing to spend more on a certified pre owned car from a dealership opposed to cruising Facebook marketplace.

And I also appreciate the value of curation at Least when it's informed, thought out and on some level exhibiting taste.

But does that justify paying three, four, maybe 10 times what they go for on the open market?

Outside of a few rare exceptions, in my opinion, no.

First, we assume Ralph Lauren simply adding a piece to this collection implies that has a certain timeless it factor.

So the stuff in this Ralph Lauren vintage collection is fire.

I mean it's Ralph Lauren we're talking about here.

Like is there a more timeless style authority out there?

I mean for sure they've dropped some mid stuff in there den, but

it's not like they're gonna double down on that mid stuff and add it to a curation.

Plus I read this article in the Rob Report.

This said they're gonna feature the best stuff from their archive.

And then we're further seduced by by how these pieces are presented with these gauzy cinematic pictures opposed to the high contrast, oversaturated, sharp edged, hyper real photos taken by amateurs using iPhones in their bedrooms.

And then when they're flushed with cash or just unaware they can be bought elsewhere or just too impatient, we click complete purchase and eagerly await that crisp deep blue package to arrive right at our front door.

Now some of these pieces are super cool and should absolutely be showcased for their timeless appeal.

Though I still think they're overpriced and obviously opinions differ on what is a timeless classic.

What I might find garish another scenes is super cool and vice versa.

But can we all agree that this thing looks like it's out of some boardwalk souvenir shop in Wildwood, New Jersey.

So just because a popular influencer or a really of the moment artist, or even a long standing reputable brand like Ralph Lauren pitches something, doesn't mean you should automatically assume it's a good value.

We are all susceptible to taste authorities or culturally influential brands or whatever have you just absolutely fleecing us.

I mean, okay, I was able to see through this because I'm very familiar with Ralph Lauren, but

with something else like I've been got before, just with a different product.

I've been gotten with Ralph Lauren stuff too.

So the lesson always leave space for your own tastes, instincts and judgment.

If you saw some of these pieces being sold on ebay, and

you were completely unaware they were part of this vintage collection.

Would you still feel the same about them?

And research what you're actually buying.

Look past the vibe and curated presentation and fancy packaging to the actual tangible product.

That piece of jewelry being shilled by some cool influencer might be absolute Alibaba crap and the markup would make you want to puke.

Now some of you might be out there rolling your eyes at me for being too practical saying something like Mr.

Coyote Sharp, I'm not buying this thing here fancy hand soap because it more thoroughly cleans my hands or smells significantly better than the cheaper alternatives.

I'm buying it because everything from the packaging to the labeling to the way the people dress in the commercials makes me feel good and aligns with how I'd like to see myself.

And I think on some level we all do this.

Plus we're almost always making purchase decisions without complete information.

But I think we should all at least strive to have the self awareness as to why we buy certain things.

But that sounds like a recipe for driving yourself nuts.

What are the labels on these bananas trying to signal?

Perhaps there's a perception amongst some that because these pre owned clothes are coming from Ralph Lauren, a place we kind of associate with cleanliness if you may, they have been rid of every remnant of the previous owner's filth.

In the same way some feel about a fancy hotel compared to an Airbnb.

And if you're that type of person, I want you the next time you're curled up in bed at your $700 a night hotel room to think about what the previous occupant might have done with your pillow.

Because though it's $700 a night, I bet they didn't replace the pillow.

But when the same item sells for four times less on the open market and there's little inconvenience due shopping on the open market, it's hard for me to not conclude that the pieces in this vintage collection are just not a good value.

And Ralph Lauren, you're my favorite clothing brand of all time.

I used to buy low and then add value through clean photos and transparent descriptions and free returns, and