Polo Ralph Lauren vs Brooks Brothers: is the pricier sweater worth it?
The Brooks Brothers Supima Cotton Crewneck Sweater runs $128; the Polo Ralph Lauren Cotton Cable-Knit Sweater is $198 — about 1.5× the price ($70 more). Here's the side-by-side, and what that gap actually buys.
| Brooks Brothers | Polo Ralph Lauren | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $128 | $198 |
| Material | Supima cotton, merino, lambswool or Shetland wool depending on style, mid gauge. | Cotton (cable-knit); lambswool, merino and cashmere crews across the line. |
| Fit | Classic traditional fit, true to size; reads roomy, not trim. | Classic roomy fit, true to size; runs relaxed. |
| Quality | High for the price — quality fibres and clean traditional finishing. | Premium — durable cable construction, holds shape, heritage finishing. |
| Best for | Preppy-classic layering, traditional styling, and quality cotton or wool knits. | Preppy-Americana outfits, a classic cable-knit, and durable heritage layering. |
| Care | Wash per the fibre; cotton machine-washes, wool needs a wool cycle. Lay flat to dry. | Machine wash cold gentle (cotton) or wool cycle (wool styles) and lay flat to dry. |
Brooks Brothers' crewneck is $128 and, depending on style, comes in supima cotton, merino, lambswool or Shetland; Polo's Cotton Cable-Knit is $198 for the definitive heavy cotton cable with heritage finishing. The $70 gap buys the cable pattern and the Ralph Lauren name — Brooks Brothers will sell you actual wool for less.
- The case for Brooks Brothers
- Fibre choice (supima, merino, lambswool, Shetland) at a lower price, clean traditional finishing that rates high for the money, and a classic true-to-size roomy fit.
- The case for Polo Ralph Lauren
- Durable cable construction that holds its shape, the definitive preppy-Americana cable-knit look, heritage finishing, and lambswool, merino and cashmere options elsewhere in the line.
The bottom lineIs the pricier one worth it?
Buy the Brooks Brothers at $128 if quality-per-dollar is the question: its finishing rates high for the price and you can have real wool for $70 less than Polo's cotton cable. Step up to the Polo if you want the cable-knit specifically — the construction is genuinely durable and holds shape, but know the cotton cable wears heavy and part of the $198 is the heritage styling. Neither deserves full list; both brands run regular sales and reviewers of each say so. For a plain quality crew, Brooks Brothers; for the iconic cable, Polo on promotion.
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