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.
SUMMARY
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
RRL chore jacket or barn coat
Merino or cotton knit underneath
Dark denim or chinos
Clean sneakers or service boots
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 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 for jackets
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.
If denim is the backbone of RRL, the shirts are the voice… they’re where the western, workwear and military influences become really obvious. From snap-front westerns to soft flannels and chambray work shirts, these are the pieces you’ll wear all week, not just on special occasions.
In our RRL shirt selection, we look for:
– Honest fabrics: cotton twill, chambray, denim, brushed flannel, linen
– Heritage details: snap buttons, pointed yokes, triple-needle seams, utility pockets
– Wearability: shirts that work alone, open over a tee, or layered under jackets
RRL Shopping Guide
AVANT Editor’s Picks for shirts
Western Shirts
Signature RRL territory: pointed yokes, snap buttons, sometimes embroidery or contrast piping. These are the shirts that lean most clearly into western and rodeo language.
Shop RRL Western Shirts
Snap-front shirts with western yokes, perfect with denim and boots.
Work & Chambray Shirts
Chambray and work shirts are the quieter, more utilitarian side of RRL: less showy than westerns, easier to wear in almost any context.
Shop RRL Work & Chambray Shirts
Durable everyday shirts inspired by railworkers, mechanics and factory uniforms.
Flannel & Seasonal Shirts
Brushed cotton flannels and heavier seasonal shirts are where RRL nails the mountain / ranch / cabin feeling: plaids, faded colours, sometimes blanket-style patterns.
Shop RRL Flannel & Seasonal Shirts
Soft flannels and heavier shirts for colder days and layered looks.
This selection is updated regularly to reflect current availability and seasonal drops from RRL.
If RRL jackets tell the story, RRL denim is the paper it’s printed on. This is where you feel the brand’s obsession with fabric, fades and vintage fits. Below you’ll find AVANT’s current selection of RRL jeans and denim essentials – the pieces that will quietly anchor almost every Americana outfit you put together.
We look for:
– Honest fabrics: selvedge, proper weight, good yarn character
– Useful fits: straight, slim-straight, a bit of room where you need it
– Fade potential: jeans that will look better, not worse, after years of wear
RRL Shopping Guide
AVANT Editor’s Picks for denim
Core RRL Jean Fits
Start with the fundamentals: straight and slim-straight indigo jeans that work with everything from boots to sneakers.
Shop Core RRL Jeans
Everyday jeans in classic fits – your first step into RRL denim.
Selvedge & Special Denim
For the denim heads and collectors: heavier fabrics, selvedge details, limited washes and repro cuts inspired by specific decades.
Shop Selvedge & Special RRL Denim
Heavier fabrics, selvedge edges, unique washes and vintage-inspired cuts.
Washed, Faded & Broken-In
Not everyone wants to break in raw denim. RRL’s washed jeans give you archive-inspired fading and repairs straight off the rack.
Shop Washed & Faded RRL Jeans
Pre-washed jeans and vintage-effect fades for instant character.
This selection is updated regularly to reflect current availability and seasonal drops from RRL.
Accessories are often the easiest way into RRL: belts, bandanas, leather goods and jewellery that carry the same rugged narrative as the clothing.
What we love in RRL accessories:
- Leather that will patinate with use
- Subtle western and workwear references
- Small details that quietly signal the brand to those who know
RRL Shopping Guide
AVANT Editor’s Picks for accessories
Belts and Leather Goods
Belts, shoes and small leather accessories that work with both denim and tailoring.
Shop RRL leather accessories
Thick, characterful leather pieces designed to age with you.
Bandanas, Scarves & Headwear
Bandanas, scarves, beanies and caps that add pattern and colour to your outfits.
Shop RRL Bandanas & Headwear
Printed bandanas, wool caps and seasonal headwear that frame the face and finish the look.
This selection is updated regularly to reflect current availability and seasonal drops from RRL.