One Fashion Brand That Doesn’t Let Me Down

On Substack, I wrote about what I regretted buying in 2025, and a lot were from brands I had loved for years and disappointed me with quality and/or style. I also shared what I didn't regret buying, and knew I would have forgotten a few (I don't plan my Substacks). And one I forgot that I felt deserved its own blog post was Lauren by Ralph Lauren. Because I have yet to be disappointed by a Lauren by Ralph Lauren purchase.

Lauren Ralph Lauren is the more affordable division of the Ralph Lauren brand. Sold at department stores like Dillard's, Macy's, Bloomingdale's, and Nordstrom as well as the Ralph Lauren site, the pieces keep with the classic Americana Chic vibe of the label but designed with simpler patterns and fabrics to keep the cost down. That being said, I have found the quality to be quite good, especially for the price, and the quality and fit to remain consistent year after year after year.

I had a navy and white Breton striped ribbed boatneck I got from Joules many many years ago. And this week it kicked the bucket. I went on a journey trying to find an alternative and came across this Breton striped top from Lauren Ralph Lauren and it took me down a rabbit hole of all the great pieces Lauren Ralph Lauren has right now.

I have shopped Lauren Ralph Lauren at all the different retailers, but often first check out the piece on the Ralph Lauren site because it will have the most photos and clearest descriptions with measurements and fabric content.

For example, I admired the blazer above at Dillard's. It is called a wool crepe blazer, and Dillard's has a bullet describing it as “wool fabrication” but another bullet that says, “elastane.” Going to the Ralph Lauren site, I find the same blazer and learn it is 98% wool and 2% elastane with a lining from 94% polyester and 6% elastane. Dillard's shares it is “Approx. 27.75″ length” while the Ralph Lauren site shares, “US size 8 has a 27.75″ body length and a 32.5″ sleeve length. Body length and sleeve length are taken from the center back of the neck. Sleeve length changes 0.25″ between sizes.” The Ralph Lauren site also offers additional photos showing the piece on a different model, as a flatlay, and even belted.

And if you search “Double-Breasted Wool Crepe Blazer” on the Ralph Lauren site, you can find separate pages for the jacket in navy in petites, and the jacket in navy in plus sizes. And by the way, there is no “fat tax” with Lauren Ralph Lauren; the price is the same whether you are purchasing Misses, Petite, or Plus Size.

This jacket is not cheap; it's $365. But it's 98% wool, lined, three functioning pockets, and a classic silhouette that could easily be worn a decade from now. And with tariffs, world changes, and general economy changes, unless you are buying preowned, you need to accept to get a wool crepe blazer in 2026, you're going to be paying this kind of money. We need to get back to how it was pre-online shopping where we bought far less, rewore looks, made pieces work year after year, used tailors and mended and took the time to care properly for items when laundering and storing. But let's get back to this Lauren Ralph Lauren rabbit hole I fell into…

So I kept looking at what was available at Lauren Ralph Lauren and there was so much that I liked and it made me realize how timeless the label is because a lot looks like pieces I own or have owned from it.

Lauren Ralph Lauren linen has done me well over the years. Nice feel, holds up, not too transparent but still drapey. This shirt and these pants are classic in all the colors; wear together with brown leather sandals and gold hoops, wear as a swim coverup, pair with other linen pieces… the shirt gets positive reviews on the Bloomingdale's site with the only negatives being the length of the shirttails (all the better to wear as a swim coverup, duster, tie in front, or tuck, my dear). The pants also get positive reviews at Bloomies, with a few mentions they run a bit big (I have always found LRL has a bit of vanity sizing).

• Here's the link for petite pants, here's the link for plus pants.
• Here's the link for the petite shirt, here's the link for the plus shirt.
• If you'd like a belted shirt for a different effect, here is a matching belted shirt in misses, here is the link in petite, and here is the link in plus.
• There is also a great tie-front linen shirtdress LRL has carried for a few seasons and is eternally chic; here's the link for the misses dress, here is the link for the plus dress.

Lauren Ralph Lauren has this blue-based abstract print in its Resort collection that is so beautiful and actually quite timeless. It doesn't fit any trend, it's just pretty and surprisingly neutral. Pair with black, with white, with cream, with silver, with gold, with denim, with navy, with chartreuse and Kelly green…

• The long halter dress, unlike many these days, has a full back so you can wear a halter or strapless bra. A viscose/linen blend, it could be dressed up for a wedding or date night or dressed down for a vacation or weekend barbecue. Here is a link to it in sizes 00-18.
• The crewneck sweater is 60% cotton and 40% viscose. Lightweight but not going to get all stretched out and pilly like synthetics. Would be pretty with ivory trousers, white jeans, black, navy… Here is a link to it in plus sizes. Here is a link to it in Misses sizes.
• The pants are 100% polyester but a crepe finish that isn't clingy and is wrinkle-resistant. Elasticized drawcord waist with front pockets, this is a great pant to pair with the matching top, a fitted tank, a slouchy sweater (or the matching sweater), a blazer and tee or cami. The Misses version comes in XS-XXL with a 31.5″ inseam; the Petite version comes in PXS-PL with a 30″ inseam.
• There is a shirt in the same fabric; wear together tucked in as a custom-fit jumpsuit or untucked for a chic daytime matched set. The blouse is a work-friendly fabric; imagine it with the crew sweater tied around the shoulders. For now, the shirt only seems to come in XS-XXL but I wouldn't be surprised if the Ralph Lauren site has it in plus within the next few weeks.
• Macy's has a water-resistant bomber in the same print that I positively adore. Dress up with the pants or white jeans, dress down with your favorite activewear. Sizes XS-XXL.
• Ralph Lauren has this gorgeous blue color called Cruise Royal that is the same blue in this print. Right now there is a double-breasted linen/cotton blazer (link to misses, link to plus) and this really pretty off-the-shoulder top (XXS-XXL). They can be mixed and matched with this print to create a mini capsule, and from the images on the RL site, looks as though there is more Cruise Royal to come.

Shop the collage:
Row one: one (14W-22W; link to misses) | two (6-16) | three (0-18, same dress on sale)
Row two: one (00-18) | two (14W-22W; link for petites, link for misses) | three (2-16)
Row three: one (14W-22W) | two (2P-10P) | three (00-18)

I have always liked Lauren Ralph Lauren for dresses, whether for day or special occasion as they come in petite and they are designed to work with, not against a woman's body. Most are designed to accommodate a bra, they don't cling to the midsection, and they are feminine and fun without being too trendy or complicated. I linked to some of my favorites above.

And I realize I have gone not only down a Lauren Ralph Lauren rabbit hole, but I have also written a novel. So below I have a collection of additional pieces that caught my eye and I thought you too may like: