Alternatives to Ralph Lauren

[Fernleigh22]

Hi, my daughter has asked for a few Ralph Lauren bits but as she is only 13 I really don't want to buy the price(!). Is Abercrombie and Finch a good alternative?!

I completely agree, just buy her the jumper. DH bought DS2 a couple of RL jumpers 3 years ago when he was 12. I said at the time it was a ridiculous purchase but he has worn them hundreds of times and just sold them on Vinted for a decent amount of money.

If you buy “new” from Vinted, please please check the label. The fake RL ones have slightly different font on the navy label on the back of the jumper (I assume the ladies ones are the same). It’s like thinner and slightly more spread out.

The outlets used to be great but not any more. They are also very expensive but a bit less than in the normal stores. Like a hoodie that is £130 in the store is about £100-£110 at the outlet. I haven’t bought anything in the last few trips to the outlet. I mean I saw a nice dress for my little girl and it was outlet price of £70 😱
The prices of Ralph Lauren has in the last few yrs got quite ridiculous. They are probably on par with Gucci now!

Please don't buy Abercrombie or Tommy if she's asked for RL. That's really shitty she'd probably rather choose something different altogether if you really can't afford the RL. That would be like someone asking for a Starbucks and being given Nescafé instant.

There's lots of Ralph Lauren in my local tk maxx at the moment, but it might not be the styles or colours your looking for.

But harsh to call it shitty.

I didn't say I couldn't afford it - I said I wasn't happy to pay the price of it!

It is really shitty though. I’m sure you know at that age it’s about the logo and brand, so some lookalike cheaper alternate doesn’t work, not for Xmas, it’s best to say no I’m not buying you that and let her pick an alternate, it’s like asking for your favourite perfume for Xmas, your husband deciding he isn’t spending that, so buying an alternate cheaper one and saying to you well it smells similar.

however as said, buy some bits on vinted, go new with tags, you don’t need to pay and buy from a retailer.

I do agree - don't buy alternatives, especially if she knows you can afford the real thing.

As previous posters mentioned - there are always some cable knit jumpers available in TK Maxx. You can usually find some hoodies/sweatshirt, socks (however in men sizes) and t-shirts as well. If you live in London then there used to be a stand in Portobello Road market with second hand RL bear sweatshirts.

I'm in the Midlands but do have a few TK Maxx shops around, and on commutes with work, so I'm going to hve a browse in those. Not a shop I usually go in so would never have thought to look there.
She is a tall 13 year old! Very slender but possibly a small mens would fit her!!

Crew Co is a good alternative if you are middle aged. No youngsters wear Crew Co. I've got a couple of Crew Co items and they are very thin, they are nice, but nothing like RL. Tommy Hilfigher are much better.

I've been quite clear with my daughter in the past. She isn't into Ralph Lauren but is into streetwear brands like Off White and Palm Angels that I don't think are worth it. But I tell her that I have a budget for Christmas and if she has her heart set on a particular brand I will buy it, but only within budget so she may either get nothing else or only 1 of the items or she needs to wait until it goes on sale.

We regularly buy from 2nd hand designer shops.

OP be wary of buying designer stuff from vinted. I buy most of my stuff from there, but noticed of late that there are a lot of New things on there that are straight from Temu/ Haccoo (but triple the price!). You can just tell - mainly from the sellers page. You need to have your wits about you 🕵️‍♀️

Ralph Lauren? Blimey, teens have changed. When I was that age we were fangirling over High School Musical, Camp Rock, etc. (You can tell it wasn't that long ago, lol) And we weren't young for our age, either.

As a teen really? My daughter adored HSM etc but had outgrown it by the age of 11.

For her it was all about dance/sportswear brands (you think a RL jumper is expensive I raise you Jason Samuel Smith tap shoes or Laduca boots!) But even back when I was at school in the 80's 90's it was the in thing to have Calvin Klein and Armani jeans (not me, we couldn't afford)

Agree with others - if she’s asked for RL, get RL. Another brand of jumper will be such a disappointment and you would be better off getting something completely different.

I know you don’t think it’s worth the money, but getting a cheaper alternative will be a waste money as she won’t wear it.

From experience, if your DD is after RL then I wouldn't get an alternative.

If RL is good value and quality then I would go with the suggestion on vinted. Maybe try on in RL store/outlet to find out what size she is.

My DD is an older teen and has asked for one, but I can't justify the price in shops. If I wouldn't spend the price on myself even if I go for quality on price. Outlet prices aren't discounted prices.

Other fashionable cable knits which are popular with teenagers for others who maybe reading this post, are superdry, hollister, crew clothing and jack wills.

My daughter got these slippers at B&M of all places and I think they look very RL while obviously not being RL!

www.bmstores.co.uk/products/ladies-bear-slippers-sizes-3-8-426218

maybe tommy hilfiger is a little bit cheaper?

Thanks for the tip! Love these so much and just got them from B&M today 🧸