The AVANT Guide to RRL
(Double RL)
by Ralph Lauren

RRL (often written Double RL) is Ralph Lauren’s tribute to early 20th-century workwear, military uniforms, and the rugged mythology of the American West. Launched in 1993 and named after Ralph and Ricky Lauren’s Colorado ranch, the Double RL Ranch, the line focuses on heritage garments with meticulous construction: selvedge denim, sun-faded flannels, leather jackets, and knitwear that feels like it has a life before you.

For menswear enthusiasts, RRL sits at the intersection of Americana, western wear, vintage workwear and luxury craftsmanship—which is exactly why it has become a cornerstone in the AVANT universe.

Quick Facts:
What Is RRL?

Full name: RRL or Double RL

  • Parent brand: Ralph Lauren

  • Founded: 1993

  • Name origin: The Double RL Ranch in Colorado, owned by Ralph and Ricky Lauren

  • Core inspiration:

    • Early 1900s American workwear (railroad workers, miners, farmers)

    • US military uniforms

    • Western ranch life and frontier imagery

  • Focus categories: Selvedge denim, chore jackets, western wear, leather jackets, military-inspired outerwear, flannels, knitwear, accessories.

The History & Heritage of RRL

A Ranch Turned into a Wardrobe

The story of RRL starts with the Double RL Ranch in Colorado, a personal retreat for Ralph and Ricky Lauren. The brand borrows its name, its cattle-brand logo spirit, and its aesthetic from that landscape: dusty roads, weather-beaten barns, Navajo blankets, denim worn to threads.

From the beginning, RRL was not about fashion trends. It was about re-creating, with obsessive accuracy, garments that might have belonged to ranch hands, railroad engineers or soldiers—then refining them with contemporary pattern-making and Ralph Lauren’s romantic storytelling.

From Cult Line to Heritage Icon

Initially a niche line within the Ralph Lauren universe, RRL slowly grew into a cult label for vintage lovers, denim heads and heritage aficionados worldwide. Today it is:

  • One of the most premium and niche Ralph Lauren labels

  • Stocked in selected Ralph Lauren boutiques and a curated list of specialist retailers

  • Recognised for museum-level repros (WWII chinos, 1940s denim, 1930s leather jackets) and more interpretive seasonal pieces

For AVANT readers, RRL is a gateway into serious heritage clothing: you get authenticity and storytelling, with the reassurance and consistency of a major house.

What Makes RRL Special?

Fabric & Construction

RRL is known for a level of material honesty that goes beyond most mainline fashion:

  • Heavyweight selvedge denim (often Japanese or American)

  • Authentic canvas, chambray and twill based on historical garments

  • Horsehide and premium steerhide leathers for jackets and belts

  • Military-spec melton wool, knitwear and linings

Look for details such as:

  • Chain-stitched hems

  • Hidden rivets

  • Bartacks on stress points

Custom metal hardware and buttons based on vintage originals

Design Philosophy

RRL pieces often feel like found garments: sun-faded, lightly repaired, washed down, or printed with period-correct graphics. The intent is not cosplay, but living with clothes that carry a story and then adding your own patina over years of wear.

How to style RRL the AVANT way

The Ranch-Meets-City Uniform

RRL straight-leg selvedge jeans

  • RRL western shirt or chambray work shirt

  • Vintage-style leather belt and engineer boots

  • Add a tailored navy blazer or a tweed sport coat to bring it into the city

Elevated Workwear

Western Minimalist

RRL can be subtle, too:

  • Plain ecru tee

  • Slim dark RRL jeans

  • Simple belt and loafers or Chelsea boots

  • One standout accessory (Navajo blanket scarf, concho belt, or a single silver bracelet)

RRL chore jacket or barn coat

  • Merino or cotton knit underneath

  • Dark denim or chinos

  • Clean sneakers or service boots

RRL sizing & Fit guide

Because RRL takes inspiration from vintage garments, fits can vary between models and seasons.

Jeans:

  • Many models run slightly small in the waist compared to modern vanity sizing.

  • For raw/unsanforized denim (check product description), consider sizing up; for sanforized or washed denim, your true waist or +1 is usually safe.

Shirts:

  • Western and work shirts are often tailored but not skinny; if you’re between sizes, choose based on shoulder width rather than chest.

  • Flannels and work shirts may have a boxier, vintage cut.

Jackets:

  • Leather and heavy outerwear are cut to work over layers. If you want a trim, contemporary fit, many people size down one—unless you plan to layer heavy knitwear underneath.

Where to buy RRL (Double RL)

RRL keeps a relatively tight distribution, which reinforces its cult aura.

Key buying channels:

  • Official Ralph Lauren / Double RL stores and e-shops – the fullest seasonal selection, both clothing and accessories

  • Specialist heritage & denim retailers – carefully curated selections, sometimes with exclusive pieces

  • High-end department stores and online luxury platforms – a mix of evergreen icons and seasonal highlights.

How to avoid fakes

Because RRL is relatively niche and high-priced, the counterfeit market is smaller than for mainstream Ralph Lauren, but still present on resale platforms.

Basic checks:

  • Stitching quality and hardware (buttons, rivets, zippers) – RRL details are usually excellent

  • Inner labels – fonts and logo placement should be clean and consistent

  • Compare suspicious pieces with official product images on the Ralph Lauren website

Is RRL Worth It?

RRL sits at a higher price point than mainline Ralph Lauren or many contemporary brands, but for AVANT’s audience, the value often comes from:

  • Authentic design and fabrics – repro-level details without going fully into niche Japanese Americana brands

  • Longevity – heavy fabrics and quality construction age gracefully, especially denim, leather and wool

  • Styling versatility – one RRL piece can anchor an entire look

You can position RRL as an investment in a long-term wardrobe, especially for:

  • Denim enthusiasts

  • Heritage and western-wear fans

  • Menswear collectors who appreciate Ralph Lauren’s universe

RRL Shopping Guide
AVANT Editor’s Picks

RRL jackets are where the brand’s storytelling really comes alive: denim, workwear, military and leather all treated with the same obsession for fabric, fade and detail. Below is our current selection of RRL jackets curated by AVANT – pieces that work hard in real life and will only look better with time.

We look for:

  • Authentic heritage details (triple-needle stitching, period-correct hardware, archival patterns)

  • Versatility – jackets you can wear with denim, chinos or tailoring

  • Longevity – fabrics and constructions that will age gracefully, not fall apart

Browse the edit, find the jacket that matches your wardrobe and climate, and then let it do what RRL does best: collect stories.

Denim & Work Jackets

Think chore coats, barn jackets and trucker styles in denim, canvas or twill. These are the easiest entry point into RRL outerwear: throw them on over a tee in summer or layer with knitwear in winter.

Shop Denim & Work Jackets
Our pick of season’s best RRL chore coats, denim jackets and canvas work pieces.

Military & Field Jackets

Field jackets, parkas and officer-style coats that nod to WWII and post-war military garments. Perfect if your style leans more utilitarian than cowboy.

Shop Military & Field Jackets
RRL field jackets and parkas with practical pockets, rugged fabrics and muted tones.

Leather & Suede Jackets

When you want a true investment piece, look here: leather truckers, motorcycle jackets, western-influenced styles and suede blousons.

Shop Leather & Suede Jackets
Statement pieces designed to be worn for years, not seasons.

This selection is updated regularly to reflect current availability and seasonal drops from RRL.