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Lacoste vs Polo Ralph Lauren
Both are built on the polo. Lacoste's is a slimmer, sportier piqué with a small crocodile. Polo Ralph Lauren's is a softer, preppier polo, and the brand goes further into tailoring, knitwear and outerwear. Lacoste costs less in every category we track for both.
Menswear · US prices · Checked Oct 31, 2026
Choose it if
- You want a slimmer, sporty polo with a small logo.
- You'd rather spend less: shirts, knitwear and jackets cost less here.
- Your wardrobe leans tennis and casual, not tailored.
Choose it if
- You want a softer, preppier polo with an embroidered pony.
- You also want oxfords, cable knits and tailoring from one brand.
- You're fine paying more for a wider range.
What’s the difference in the polo?
Each brand's best-known polo, at regular price.
LacosteClassic Fit Original L.12.12 PoloRegular $105Notice. Note the tighter piqué, the shorter ribbed sleeve and the small chest crocodile.
Polo Ralph LaurenBig Pony Mesh PoloRegular $115Notice. Note the open cotton mesh, the softer collar and the large embroidered pony.
What does the extra money get you?
Prices are medians across the products Disco tracks in each category, not like-for-like items. Full category prices are below.
Where should you start?
Lacoste
Polo Ralph Lauren
How much does each cost?
Median full price across the products Disco tracks, in categories both brands sell. Sale prices excluded.
How do they fit?
Lacoste
Sizing. Most shoppers size up one from their usual US size, and note Lacoste's numeric sizing (3≈S, 4≈M, 5≈L, 6≈XL, 7≈XXL).
Cut. Trim European cut, narrow through chest, shoulders and sleeve.
Polo Ralph Lauren
Sizing. If you like a modern fit, take Custom Slim in your usual size or size down one in Classic Fit.
Cut. Varies by fit name — Classic Fit reads boxy and roomy, Custom/Slim Fit reads trim and closer to the body.
Sizing says whether to size up or down. Cut describes the intended shape. A deliberately roomy cut doesn’t mean the sizing runs large.
Questions people ask
Is Lacoste or Polo Ralph Lauren cheaper?
Lacoste, in 3 of the 3 categories Disco tracks for both: shirts $138 vs $150, knitwear $170 vs $370, jackets $280 vs $300 (Lacoste first). Median full price of live US listings; Polo Ralph Lauren is not cheaper in any of those.
Which polo is better?
It depends on the look. Lacoste's is slimmer and sportier; Polo Ralph Lauren's is softer and preppier. See the side-by-side above.
Do Lacoste and Polo Ralph Lauren fit the same?
No. Lacoste reads runs small; Polo Ralph Lauren reads slightly large.
Which has more on sale right now?
Disco is tracking 20 discounted Lacoste pieces and 58 from Polo Ralph Lauren, checked Oct 31, 2026.
Background: origin and founding
Lacoste. From Paris, France, founded 1933, made in France, Peru, Morocco, El Salvador, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Romania.
Polo Ralph Lauren. From New York City, United States, founded 1967, made in China, Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Italy, Portugal, United States, Mexico.
Prices come from live US listings at the retailers Disco tracks, checked Oct 31, 2026. Fit notes come from published size charts and aggregated reviews, not our own try-ons. How we compare brands →