If there are two brands that define American old money style more than any others, it’s Ralph Lauren and Brooks Brothers. Both carry genuine heritage, both embody the classic Ivy League aesthetic, and both sit at the top of the old money wardrobe conversation.
But which one is actually worth your money?
This comparison breaks down both brands across every dimension that matters — quality, price, heritage, fit, and overall value — so you can make the right choice for your wardrobe and your budget.
The Heritage: Who Has More History?
Brooks Brothers — Founded 1818 Brooks Brothers is the oldest clothing retailer in America. Founded in New York City in 1818, the brand has dressed every US president since James Madison, introduced the ready-to-wear suit to America, and invented the Oxford cloth button-down shirt — arguably the single most important piece in the old money wardrobe.
That’s over 200 years of American sartorial history. No other American clothing brand comes close.
Ralph Lauren — Founded 1967 Ralph Lauren is a relative newcomer by comparison — founded by Ralph Lifshitz in 1967 with a line of wide neckties. What followed is one of the most remarkable brand building stories in fashion history — a self-made man from the Bronx who created the definitive vision of American aristocratic style without ever having lived it.
The genius of Ralph Lauren is aspiration. The brand doesn’t just sell clothes — it sells a lifestyle, a fantasy of old money elegance that resonates globally.
Heritage Winner: Brooks Brothers Two centuries of genuine American history versus a masterfully constructed aesthetic. Brooks Brothers wins on heritage, but Ralph Lauren wins on vision.
The Quality: What Are You Actually Getting?
Brooks Brothers Quality Brooks Brothers built its reputation on genuine quality — proper Oxford cloth, natural fiber fabrics, and construction standards that were once among the best in American ready-to-wear.
The honest truth is that quality has declined somewhat since the brand’s bankruptcy and acquisition in 2020. However Brooks Brothers still produces genuinely good clothing, particularly their classic Oxford shirts, their Regent fit suits, and their knitwear. The Golden Fleece line represents their best quality tier and is genuinely excellent.
Key quality indicators to look for:
- Oxford cloth button-downs in 100% cotton
- Suits with natural fiber content (wool, not polyester blends)
- Made in USA or Portugal labels on premium lines
Ralph Lauren Quality Ralph Lauren operates across multiple sub-brands at dramatically different quality and price levels — which makes quality comparisons complicated.
The hierarchy looks like this:
| Sub-brand | Quality Level | Price Point |
|---|---|---|
| Polo Ralph Lauren | Good | Mid range |
| Ralph Lauren Purple Label | Exceptional | Luxury |
| Ralph Lauren Black Label | Very Good | Premium |
| RRL | Excellent | Premium |
| Chaps (by RL) | Basic | Budget |
For old money style on a reasonable budget, Polo Ralph Lauren is the relevant tier. Quality here is genuinely good — particularly their Oxford shirts, merino knitwear, and chinos. Construction and fabric quality are consistent and reliable.
Quality Winner: Tie Both brands produce genuinely good clothing at their respective price points. Ralph Lauren offers more consistency across their range while Brooks Brothers offers higher highs in their premium lines.
The Price: What Does It Actually Cost?
Brooks Brothers Pricing
| Item | Regular Price |
|---|---|
| Oxford Shirt | $90-120 |
| Chinos | $80-100 |
| Navy Blazer | $400-600 |
| Suit | $600-1,200 |
| Merino Sweater | $120-180 |
Ralph Lauren Polo Pricing
| Item | Regular Price |
|---|---|
| Oxford Shirt | $90-120 |
| Chinos | $85-110 |
| Navy Blazer | $300-500 |
| Suit | $500-900 |
| Merino Sweater | $100-160 |
At full retail both brands are similarly priced with Ralph Lauren coming in slightly lower on most categories. However neither brand should ever be bought at full retail price — both run frequent sales that bring prices down significantly.
Sale Pricing Reality: Both brands regularly discount 40-50% during seasonal sales. A $120 Brooks Brothers Oxford shirt becomes $60-70 on sale. A $400 Ralph Lauren blazer becomes $200-250. Always wait for sales before buying from either brand.
Price Winner: Ralph Lauren Slightly lower full retail prices and equally aggressive sale discounts give Ralph Lauren the edge on value.
The Fit: Which Cuts Work Best?
Brooks Brothers Fit Options Brooks Brothers offers three main fits:
- Milano — their slimmest cut, works well for lean builds
- Regent — their classic fit, slightly roomier and very flattering on most builds
- Clark — their most relaxed fit
The Regent fit is the most authentically old money cut — it has a relaxed ease that feels genuinely classic rather than fashion-forward.
Ralph Lauren Fit Options Ralph Lauren’s Polo line offers:
- Slim Fit — their most contemporary cut
- Classic Fit — relaxed and traditional
- Custom Slim Fit — between slim and classic
The Classic Fit in Ralph Lauren’s Oxford shirts is genuinely excellent — it has that slightly relaxed, tucked-in ease that defines the old money shirt aesthetic perfectly.
Fit Winner: Brooks Brothers The Regent fit is slightly more authentic to the old money aesthetic than any of Ralph Lauren’s standard cuts. However both brands offer good options depending on your build.
The Iconic Pieces: Where Each Brand Excels
Buy from Brooks Brothers:
Oxford Cloth Button Down Shirt Brooks Brothers invented the OCBD. Their version remains the gold standard — the right weight fabric, the perfect collar roll, and the authentic heritage that no other brand can replicate. If you’re going to splurge on one Brooks Brothers piece, make it this.
The Golden Fleece Suit Brooks Brothers’ premium suit line is genuinely excellent — natural canvas construction, quality wool fabric, and classic American proportions that look timeless.
Accessories Brooks Brothers’ ties, pocket squares, and small leather goods are consistently excellent and often better value than comparable Ralph Lauren pieces.
Buy from Ralph Lauren:
The Polo Shirt Ralph Lauren’s polo shirt is the definitive version of this garment. The pique cotton quality, the fit, and the subtle branding make it the polo shirt against which all others are measured.
Knitwear Ralph Lauren’s merino and lambswool knitwear is consistently excellent across their Polo line — well constructed, good fabric quality, and available in the perfect old money colorways.
Outerwear Ralph Lauren produces some of the best outerwear in the old money price range — particularly their wool overcoats and their quilted jackets. Better than comparable Brooks Brothers options at similar price points.
Chinos Ralph Lauren’s chinos are slightly better fitting and more consistently sized than Brooks Brothers’ equivalent offerings.
The Brand Aesthetic: Which is More Old Money?
This is where things get interesting.
Brooks Brothers is authentically old money in a way Ralph Lauren can never quite be. It’s the brand that actual old money families have worn for generations — the prep school uniform, the Ivy League staple, the Wall Street standard. Wearing Brooks Brothers is wearing genuine American heritage.
Ralph Lauren is aspirationally old money — a brilliantly constructed fantasy of the lifestyle that is arguably more recognizable and more globally resonant than the real thing. The Ralph Lauren aesthetic is what most people picture when they think of old money style — the Hamptons estate, the polo match, the New England sailing weekend.
Both are valid. Brooks Brothers is what old money actually wore. Ralph Lauren is what old money looks like in the cultural imagination.
Aesthetic Winner: Depends on your goal For authenticity — Brooks Brothers. For recognizability and lifestyle resonance — Ralph Lauren.
The Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
The honest answer is that you don’t need to choose — both brands belong in an old money wardrobe and serve slightly different purposes.
Buy Brooks Brothers for:
- Oxford cloth button-down shirts (their invention, their best product)
- Suits and tailored clothing
- Ties and accessories
- When you want genuine American heritage
Buy Ralph Lauren for:
- Polo shirts (the definitive version)
- Knitwear and sweaters
- Outerwear and coats
- Chinos and casual trousers
- When you want recognizable old money aesthetic
If you can only choose one: Start with Ralph Lauren. Their broader range, slightly lower prices, more consistent sizing, and stronger sale discounts make them the more practical starting point for building an old money wardrobe. Add Brooks Brothers pieces gradually as your budget allows — particularly their OCBD shirts which are genuinely worth the investment.
The Budget Approach to Both Brands
Neither brand needs to be bought at full retail. Here’s how to get both brands into your wardrobe affordably:
End of season sales — both brands discount 40-50% regularly. Sign up for their email lists and wait.
Outlet stores — both have outlet websites and physical stores with significant discounts on classic pieces.
Secondhand — eBay and Poshmark are full of barely worn pieces from both brands at 70-80% below retail. A Brooks Brothers OCBD that retails for $110 regularly sells secondhand for $15-25 in excellent condition.
Factory seconds — Brooks Brothers occasionally sells factory seconds at significant discounts through their outlet channel.
Final Thoughts
Ralph Lauren and Brooks Brothers are not competitors so much as complements — two sides of the American old money coin. Brooks Brothers offers genuine heritage and authenticity while Ralph Lauren offers aspirational lifestyle and broader versatility.
The smartest approach is to use both strategically — Ralph Lauren for everyday staples like polo shirts, knitwear, and chinos, and Brooks Brothers for investment pieces like Oxford shirts and suits that you’ll wear for years.
For more guidance on building your old money wardrobe check out our [Old Money Capsule Wardrobe Guide] and our guide to [How to Dress Old Money on a Budget] for the smartest ways to get both brands into your wardrobe without overspending.