How to Authenticate Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren is one of the most faked brands on Vinted. The pony is the first check — but it's not the only one.

Last updated: 22 June 2026

How to tell if Ralph Lauren is fake — the quick version

Before the full breakdown below, here's the short answer: a genuine Polo Ralph Lauren piece has dense, raised pony embroidery with every detail (rider's arm, mallet, all four horse legs) clearly separated — not merged into a blurry shape. The fabric is a heavy piqué knit with a visible waffle texture, not a thin single-jersey. Buttons are uniform ivory/white and evenly spaced. The collar holds its shape rather than folding flat. If two or more of these look off, it's very likely fake — see the full checklist below for exactly what to check and what photos to ask a seller for.

The pony embroidery

The polo pony is the defining feature and where most people start. But "does it look like a horse?" isn't enough — you need to know what the genuine embroidery actually looks like, because modern fakes have improved considerably.

What the real pony looks like

• Thread density: The embroidery is dense and slightly raised from the fabric surface. When you look side-on at the chest area, the pony should have a visible 3D texture. Fake ponies are often flat against the fabric.
• Rider detail: The rider's arm is clearly extended, holding a polo mallet horizontally. The rider is in a seated position on the horse with visible posture. On fakes, the arm, mallet, or rider torso is often blurred into a single undefined mass.
• Horse legs: All four legs should be clearly distinguishable. A galloping pose means the legs are in an extended position. Fakes frequently merge the horse's legs into two or three undefined shapes.
• Consistency across the garment: If the garment has embroidery elsewhere (on the cuff or inside collar), the thread style and font should be identical in quality to the pony.

The fabric and weight

Ralph Lauren polo shirts use a specific type of fabric: piqué knit — a double-knit structure with a distinctive raised waffle or honeycomb texture. This is not a thin, single-jersey fabric. You can feel the structure when you pinch it.

Fakes often use a cheaper single-jersey or a low-density piqué that lacks the weight and texture of the original. If the seller can provide a photo of the fabric close-up, you should see the waffle pattern clearly at any size above Small — the cells should be uniform and defined, not flat or inconsistent.

The weight also shows up in the collar. Genuine Ralph Lauren polo collars are made from a denser ribbed fabric that holds its shape and sits relatively stiff when the shirt is laid flat. Fakes have thin, soft collars that fold over easily.

Buttons

Polo shirt buttons on genuine pieces are all the same ivory or white colour — smooth, consistent, and uniform. They sit flat and are evenly spaced along the placket. Mismatched button colour (one slightly greener or more yellow than the others), uneven spacing, or buttons that feel light and hollow are tells of a fake.

Check that the buttons are properly sewn — pull gently on each to test. Loose or rattling buttons on a "new with tags" listing are suspicious.

The neck label

The main neck label should read "Polo Ralph Lauren" in the correct typeface — a clean, slightly condensed font. Look at the weight of the letters: on genuine pieces the text is crisp and consistent. On fakes, letters are sometimes slightly bloated or inconsistent in thickness along the stroke.

Most genuine Polo polo shirts also have a smaller secondary label below the main one indicating the size and sometimes the country of manufacture. This label should be woven cleanly with no fraying or loose threads.

The hem tag

Many genuine Ralph Lauren pieces have a small "Polo Ralph Lauren" tag sewn into the inside hem at the front. This is an additional quality check fakes often omit, though its absence on older or vintage pieces isn't necessarily a red flag — older garments and some international variants don't always have it.

Country of origin — does it matter for Ralph Lauren?

Unlike Stone Island, country of manufacture cannot be used to authenticate Ralph Lauren. Genuine pieces are made in the USA, China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, India, Mexico, and elsewhere. A "Made in China" label is entirely legitimate. Base your authentication on the embroidery quality, fabric, buttons, and label typography instead.

Vintage Ralph Lauren

Pre-2000 Ralph Lauren is increasingly sought after — particularly rugby shirts, Oxford button-downs, cord shirts, and varsity-style pieces from the 1980s and early 90s. These pieces weren't as heavily faked at the time, so genuine vintage Ralph Lauren is generally easier to authenticate than modern polo shirts. Look for slightly faded embroidery colour (consistent with age), older label designs, and genuine period-appropriate details like wooden buttons on some pieces.

Genuine vintage pieces in good condition sell for significantly more than modern equivalents. A clean vintage RL rugby shirt can go for £40–80 on Vinted; a vintage chore coat or Western shirt from the right era can exceed £100.