What Chaps Ralph Lauren is known for
Ralph Lauren's 1978 diffusion line, built as an affordable department-store alternative to Polo. Since October 2020 it operates under a fully licensed model, no longer directly designed or run by Ralph Lauren Corp.
Chaps was launched by Ralph Lauren in 1978 as a lower-priced diffusion line, positioned to sell through mid-tier department stores such as Macy's rather than Ralph Lauren's own boutiques. It built a reputation on classic American sportswear - suiting, tweeds, outerwear with an equestrian, East Coast prep influence - under a navy crest label reading 'Chaps Ralph Lauren' until the late 1990s, when the branding was shortened to simply Chaps. In October 2020, Ralph Lauren Corporation announced it would move Chaps to a fully licensed business model, handing day-to-day operation to a licensing partner. Chaps remains available today, sold through chaps.com and department-store partners, but is no longer directly designed or run by Ralph Lauren Corporation.
Best for — Accessible American polos
Global
Where next
- NEWoMan Shinjuku — Tokyo
- Hudson's Bay — Amsterdam
- Ballantynes — New Zealand
Hand-curated for ORBIS · no paid placement