There are very few brands that feel instantly recognisable from generation to generation in the way Ralph Lauren does. From crisp Oxford shirts and cable knit jumpers to relaxed everyday staples, the brand has helped shape what we now think of as classic American style. And today, vintage Ralph Lauren pieces, from button-up shirts to knitwear and quarter zips, are worn across generations.
This story begins in New York in the late 1960s with Ralph Lauren, who at the time wasn’t a designer at all. He was working as a tie salesman for a small menswear company called Beau Brummell. They sold narrow and conservative ties, nothing too loud, as these were the tie trends at the time. Ralph began designing his own ties on the side. Focusing on wider, more colourful and more luxurious fabrics. They didn’t fit the predictable trends of the time but they did fit his taste. The idea was risky and he was told more than once that the designs wouldn’t sell but Ralph didn't listen. It was this quiet confidence that changed everything for Ralph.
In 1967, Ralph Lauren launched his first small collection of ties. His “office” was nothing more than a single drawer inside the Empire State Building. There was no studio or big fashion house behind him. Just a handful of tie samples and a concept that was bigger than clothing alone. Ralph wasn’t just designing clothes, he was creating a feeling around them. Building a world inspired by American Ivy League campuses, traditional English tailoring and old money sport. These influences would go on to define the Ralph Lauren aesthetic.
In 1969, just two years after launching, Bloomingdale’s in Manhattan offered Ralph something completely unprecedented, the first ever in-store boutique dedicated to a single designer. It was a defining moment not just for Ralph Lauren, but for the fashion industry itself. From there, the brand grew rapidly. Not because it chased trends, but because it offered something people hadn’t really seen before, a whole lifestyle built around the brand.
Ralph Lauren wasn’t just showing customers what to wear, he was showing them a way of living. Campaigns and collections portrayed a world of country houses, sailing trips, polo matches and effortless everyday elegance. Today, “lifestyle branding” is everywhere, but in the late 1960s and early 1970s, this idea was revolutionary.
Through the 1970s, 80s and 90s, Ralph Lauren expanded into the pieces we now recognise instantly. Vintage Ralph Lauren shirts, knit jumpers, quarter-zip sweatshirts and knit vests we know today, quickly became staples of the brand. These weren’t trend-driven garments. They were designed to be worn year after year.
Why Vintage Ralph Lauren Still Hits Today
Fashion moves faster than ever now. Trends appear overnight and disappear just as quickly. Vintage Ralph Lauren pieces stand apart from that cycle. They were designed with longevity in mind, not virality. The fabrics are durable, the fits are wearable, and the styles remain versatile years later. These garments were made to be worn, re-worn and lived in. That’s why today, vintage Ralph Lauren shirts, knitwear and quarter zip sweatshirts remain some of the most sought-after pieces in vintage fashion.
Vintage Ralph Lauren at Sourced By Sab
At Sourced By Sab, we specialise in premium vintage and sustainable streetwear, including vintage Ralph Lauren shirts, iconic vintage Ralph Lauren knitwear such as vest, crewneck jumpers and quarter zip sweatshirts. You can check out our full Vintage Ralph Lauren collection here.
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