Polo Ralph Lauren vs Faherty: which short wins?
Both land in the premium tier — the Polo Ralph Lauren Stretch Classic Fit Prepster Short at $89, the Faherty All Day Short at $108, just $19 apart. Here's how they stack up, head to head.
| Polo Ralph Lauren | Faherty | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $89 | $108 |
| Material | Mid-weight washed cotton twill with a touch of elastane for give; soft and pre-broken-in rather than crisp. | A recycled-polyester performance blend (Faherty's REPREVE-based fabric) with some organic cotton and a bit of elastane for stretch — quick-drying and water-repellent, with a smooth midweight hand rather than a heavy woven feel. |
| Fit | Classic fit with a pull-on elastic-drawstring waist and a 6-inch inseam — relaxed through the seat and thigh. Sizing runs small and is a bit inconsistent, so most guys size up. | Faherty's classic everyday short fit, offered in 5-, 7-, and 9-inch inseams; a zipper fly with shank closure plus an interior drawstring, with a separate belt-loop version also available. Generally true to size with a roomy, easy seat. |
| Quality | Solidly made — sturdy washed twill, a clean zip fly and an adjustable drawstring waist — but the dye fades unevenly with hot washing and the pony embroidery frays first if you dry it hot. | Clean stitching, mesh-lined pockets, and a durable quick-dry recycled-poly fabric that holds up well to water and repeated wear; the trade-off is that the technical poll-feel reads casual and performance-oriented rather than crisp and tailored, so it won't dress up like a structured chino short. |
| Best for | Classic preppy and smart-casual wear for guys who want the recognizable Polo look and an easy, drawstring-comfortable cut over a slim structured one. | Beach days, boat days, vacations, and all-day casual wear for anyone who wants a quick-dry, do-everything short over a tailored, dressed-up one. |
| Care | Machine wash cold and hang or tumble low to protect the dye and the embroidered pony; hot wash and high heat are what dull the color and pucker the logo. | Machine wash cold and hang or tumble dry low — the recycled-poly blend dries fast on its own and skipping high heat protects the water-repellent finish and the small amount of stretch in the waistband. |
The Polo is a washed cotton-twill drawstring short built around a recognizable prep aesthetic; the Faherty is a recycled-poly quick-dry performance short built around all-day coastal versatility. The $19 gap is modest in dollar terms but represents a meaningful divergence in what the fabric actually does — one is cotton comfort and brand equity, the other is fast-drying function and a sustainability narrative. Neither is a bargain at full price.
- The case for Polo Ralph Lauren
- The Polo's washed cotton-twill construction delivers a softer, more natural-feeling hand and a dressed-up appearance that the synthetic Faherty blend cannot match, making it the more versatile short for smart-casual settings.
- The case for Faherty
- The Faherty's recycled-poly blend with water-repellent finish and mesh-lined pockets is a genuinely functional package for water-adjacent days, drying faster and handling repeated beach or boat exposure better than a cotton twill ever will.
The bottom lineWhich should you buy?
Buy the Polo — ideally on sale under $60 — if the goal is a presentable, easy-wear short that can bridge beach and bar on looks alone and the cotton feel matters; the construction is solid for the category and the prep aesthetic is exactly what it promises. Step up to the Faherty only if quick-dry performance is a genuine daily need — beach, boat, or back-to-back water activities all summer — because $108 for a recycled-poly short is a steep ask when the premium is split between real functionality and the Faherty coastal-brand story. The $19 gap is not the issue; the real question is whether either short is worth full retail, and for most buyers the answer is no — both reward patience for a sale.
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