How to Spot Authentic Polo Ralph Lauren: A Thrifter’s Guide

Polo Ralph Lauren is one of the most thrifted brands in Pakistan, and quarter-zips, fleece hoodies, knitwear and cotton trousers are especially popular for winter layering. It is also one of the most copied brands in the world. Fake “Polo” shirts are sold in markets and online across Pakistan, sometimes described as thrift. This guide covers the checks that matter most when you’re buying preloved Polo Ralph Lauren, and which “red flags” aren’t as reliable as people think.

1. The embroidered Polo Pony

On most Polo Ralph Lauren tops the Pony (a polo player on horseback) is embroidered on the left chest. It also appears on caps and often on shorts and trousers. On a genuine piece the embroidery is tight and clean. The horse’s legs, the rider and the raised mallet are clearly separate, not merged into a blob. Blurry, “melted” or lopsided embroidery, loose threads around the logo or a Pony that looks printed rather than stitched are warning signs.

Two things to keep in mind: some genuine Ralph Lauren items have no Pony at all by design, so a missing logo isn’t proof of a fake. And the brand makes several versions of the logo, including the larger “Big Pony”, so size alone doesn’t tell you much. Judge the quality of the stitching, not just whether the logo is there.

2. The main label

The neck label is the first place to look on a top. Genuine Polo Ralph Lauren labels are usually navy blue, with lettering in silver-grey (the classic style) or yellow (more recent). On shirts and sweaters, a small size label usually sits just to the right of the main label. On trousers and shorts, the size is normally on a separate label near the zip fly and often shows the waist size in both inches and centimetres.

Older pieces may simply say “Polo” on the label. That’s genuine on vintage items, but counterfeiters copy it too, so look closely at the lettering. Uneven spacing, fuzzy weaving or spelling mistakes are common on fakes.

3. The care and composition labels

Genuine Ralph Lauren garments usually have several care labels sewn inside, listing the fabric content and washing instructions, often in more than one language. A single small label with a few symbols and little more than “100% Cotton” is a warning sign. These labels can be blue or white: white is common on women’s and children’s pieces, some vintage menswear and many items from after 2010.

A missing label, on its own, doesn’t prove a fake. Some shops and previous owners cut labels out, and some basic T-shirts have the label printed on the inside of the neck, which can fade with washing. In that case, rely on the other checks.

4. Buttons

On polo shirts and button-down shirts, genuine buttons are usually plain, round and pearl-like, sewn on neatly with little loose thread. Buttons with printed or embossed logos or words, especially if the print is poor, misspelled or wearing off, are a strong warning sign on these styles. Some genuine items, such as certain jackets and outerwear, do have branded buttons or snaps, so judge the quality rather than just the design.

5. Fabric, seams and finishing

Ralph Lauren generally uses good fabric and finishes its garments carefully. On checked or striped pieces, the pattern should line up neatly across seams and pockets; fakes often don’t bother. Genuine polo shirts usually have short side vents at the hem rather than a seam sewn closed all the way down. Feel matters too: compare with a piece you know is genuine if you can. Some fakes do use decent fabric, though, so this check works best alongside the others.

6. Fit and sizing

Polo Ralph Lauren uses US sizing. Menswear is generally true to size, though many styles from after about 2010 are cut slimmer, and womenswear has usually run slimmer than menswear. A “Large” that fits like a small medium, or with sleeves and body clearly out of proportion, deserves a closer look. When buying secondhand, ask for real measurements in inches (chest, sleeve and length for tops; waist, inseam and leg opening for trousers) and compare them with something you already own.

7. The seller and the price

The quickest red flags often aren’t on the garment at all:

• The same item in every size and colour. Genuine secondhand stock turns up one piece at a time. A “thrift” seller with racks of identical new-looking Polo shirts is almost certainly selling copies.
• Stock photos instead of real ones. Ask for photos of the actual piece, including the labels and the Pony up close.
• A price far below what preloved Ralph Lauren normally sells for. At that price, it’s more likely a copy than a bargain.

Quick checklist

1. Is the Pony cleanly embroidered, with the legs, rider and mallet clearly defined?
2. Does the main label look right for the style and age of the piece?
3. Are there proper care and composition labels, not just one tiny tag?
4. Are the buttons plain and neatly sewn (on polos and shirts)?
5. Do patterns line up and the seams and hems look carefully finished?
6. Do the measurements match the size on the label?
7. Are the photos real, and does the price make sense?

For checks that work across other brands too, see our guide to verifying authentic designer and branded items.

Popular preloved Polo Ralph Lauren pieces

• Quarter-zip pullovers, a smart-casual favourite for winter
• Cotton fleece hoodies and sweatshirts, in full-zip and pullover styles
• Cable-knit and crewneck sweaters
• Chinos and cotton trousers
• Classic polo shirts

How Lundapur checks Polo Ralph Lauren

Every Polo Ralph Lauren piece we list is examined inside and out in Karachi: the Pony, the labels, the stitching, the buttons and the fabric. If we can’t satisfy ourselves that a piece is genuine, we don’t list it. Each piece is photographed by us exactly as it is, with measurements and any wear named on the product page. Read more about how we source and check every piece.

Shop Polo Ralph Lauren at Lundapur: browse all preloved Polo Ralph Lauren or thrifted tops. Every item is a single piece, inspected and graded in Karachi, with flat Rs 650 delivery anywhere in Pakistan.