Thursday, January 24, 2013

Farewell Rugby

Ralph Lauren is closing it's Rugby label on February 2nd.  My last and final purchase was one of their cable knit sweaters. I can't help but wonder if they had lost some of the patches/logos and just stuck to the basics maybe they wouldn't have folded? There's a fine line between a classic edge and something that resembles a costume. I have picked up some great pieces over the last eight years and I am sad to see the label close. They are offering an additional 20% off with the code TAKEOFF20.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

completely agree with you about the patches/costumey-ness of the look. before they put on all the bells and whistles, it's classic kit. and ralph lauren quality is pretty darn good. what a shame.

Devon Baer Designs said...

Agreed..it's one of my faves and i'm sad to see it go!

j.mosby said...

Collectors item now! To bad they were marketing towards the semi-hippers crowd! I wonder what WASP 101 will do now?

Lindsay // Vineyard Loveknots said...

I'm a little surprised.... I thought there was still a big younger following for this store. I have a few pieces from years ago that I still wear and love but recently felt there were too many logos/patches/etc like you said.

Portuguese Prepster said...

sigh I visited the store a month or two ago. I was trying to pick out a last item or two before they closed, but I really couldn't find anything. I agree with you, maybe if they had stayed closer to their roots (I have some great shirts from a few years ago!) maybe they would have stayed popular.

Belle on Heels said...

You make a good point about all of the patches and logos. The Rugby line started when I was at UVA and they opened one of their first stores in C'Ville. We are all SUPER into at first, but after awhile, it was more of a, "Do we need to have a skull and crossbones on EVERYTHING?" Even their window displays looked like they were trying too hard. I just kind of stopped ever looking at their products, which is a shame, because some of it was fantastic.

Baltimore Prep said...

Entirely agree with you and the other comments. I don't really think there is a need for the line as the classic items that we prefer are quite similar to the Blue Label.

Also, the prices were really quite all over the place and I see this as a reflection of the confused identity that led to their demise. Several months ago on a visit to the store, I noticed most items at 40% off, putting sweaters between $40-$70, while several other sweaters were still tagged a whopping $600 at full price!

Anonymous said...

I'm kind of sorry to see Rugby go. The built-in irony of the brand wasn't really my thing, but at its core I think it had solid roots and good intentions. Its failure also seems to indicate that young people have lost interest in preppy style yet again, which is always disappointing.

Life Through Preppy Glasses said...

i cant believe the label is closing either, but I totally agree with all the sewn on patches etc.

MP said...

The Rugby line never did much for me. Can we all agree the "skull and bones" fad is over?