Jackets

The High Cost of The Lo-Life

Published on July 19, 2008

Who would have thought a Ralph Lauren sweater featuring a polo outfitted bear would be pursued by those on the cutting edge of hip hop fashion? Not me, but I like it, I like it a lot. The style’s roots are in NYC where a gang formed in the late 80s called Lo-Lifes (“Lo” short for Polo) made colorful RL gear their fashion of choice. Today certain shirts, sweaters and jackets sell on eBay for up to 10 times their original value – so sporting Lo comes at a high price.

Ralph’s certainly benefiting from plenty of free endorsements. Hip Hop icons like Raekwon are frequently photographed in his vintage gear, producer Just Blaze reportedly has the largest collection of it in the world, and Thirstin Howell III has a song titled, “Polo Rican” biggin’ it up and basically saying FU to FUBU. Needless to say modern artists like Kanye, Drake and Chris Brown have all sported it.

How long will this trend continue? It all depends on whether or not Ralph Lauren can keep his hand out of the “cookie” jar. Can he pass up the big bucks that would result from re-issuing these popular designs? If so, the trend is here to stay.

[Update 10/17/13: Ralph Lauren reportedly reissues P-Bear sweaters for their “Bring it Back” line. And Polo launches RLVintage.com offering vintage direct from the man himself. Coincidentally, the prices for some of these pieces have dropped.]

[Update 23/09/15: Polo revives the Polo Sport brand, yet has little effect on the sought after vintage pieces.]

Where’s the best place to find it? We’re always stocking and re-stocking Polo Sport as it rolls in and quickly rolls out here. But you can use the links below to search for specific in demand Polo Sport items across eBay.

Which vintage Polo items are the most sought-after? It’s not the shirts with the little guy on the horse, or we’d all be rich. It’s mostly the clothes that fall under the Polo Sport brand which was introduced in 1993 and then went defunct in 1998.

Click the highlighted terms below to search for various Polo Sport Terms:

The “P-Bear” and his multiple incarnations (skiing, golfing, in a tux or just hanging out) are hugely popular in sweater form.
Anything “P-Wing,” which is basically a track and field symbol (a shoe with wings) on sweatshirts and jackets.
Any of the elaborate “P-Wing”, “Stadium” polo shirts with all-over prints featuring various types of sports.
Anything with “cookies” on them – which is an embroidered circle containing Polo branding.
Jackets and hoodies that read, “Snow Beach,” or have an Indian head or tiger.
Pretty much anything with a USA flag, or any combination of the above features.

And the Holy Grail of vintage Ralph? Get this: the 100% silk polo crest shirt (below bottom right) recently fetched more than $2,300 on eBay.

Related Topics:

Jimmy J

Test

43 Comments

Kevin

July 22, 2008 at 1:15 pm

Cool trend, I hope it doesn’t go the way of Lacoste
Pingback: Bookmarks about Polo
black lo

March 26, 2009 at 8:58 am

the trend will never die because ralph isnt going to re release any of this stuff. additionally, alot of people think that ONLY having the above mentioned peices makes you a bonafide lo head, which to an extent is true. however, the range of collections that are available are almost mind numbing and still in the tradition of yesteryear. i am a lo life and proud of it. regardless of whats going on in fashion, i call pull out some garms from my closet and be the best dressed man in any room!
phil

March 27, 2009 at 5:18 pm

Polo Ralph Lauren is one of the most classic brands that you can still wear from any collection and look amazing in but these are some pretty high priced exclusive pieces. I found a pretty cool store In NYC that has some pretty nice classic Polo pieces and they’re actually affordable. I think the store is called Consortium New York -check’em out they also have some other poloesque
brands as well
Eli

May 17, 2009 at 4:43 pm

Nuff respect to all the lo heads out there,i been following this trend since 1991 and i must say its no other trend like it,many different fashions fade away and dont have the street credibilty to produce legendary vintage wears worth of bringing out,even though ralph lauren after 2000 went a totally different direction,vintage polo is being sought after all over cause its rare its hot and we seperate ourselves from the rest of them.I still own alot of pieces and still sell n trade…we still out here…..
Frejolito

June 3, 2009 at 6:01 pm

This is a helpful guide, i had to share this site with my girl, thanks!
luck lo

August 27, 2009 at 10:48 pm

yo im only 21 but i remember that ma older brother was down with lo life in bk back in tha days rockin tha crest wit tha teddy robe and all that i followed in his footsteps i prolly tha only yung dude where im at that know about vintage lo. im an aspirin rapper so if i came out thats all i wud rock. i wud smash yung dro in lo son fa real. lo life crew baby.
frank

September 16, 2009 at 1:38 pm

that’s it, i’m pushing down Grandmas at thrift stores to get at Polo gear now!
JCJC

December 5, 2009 at 9:39 am

What about a hoody with Bear? It’s made in USA. Does it has any high value? Anyone knows?
AH

December 8, 2009 at 5:24 pm

yes, polo bear hoodies are collectable too. Matters not if the bear is big or small.
Steve

March 23, 2010 at 1:03 pm

Anyone know where I can catch the RL2000 collection? Or any good site for vtg POLO? Ebay is cool and others?

Thanks
Dave L.

May 27, 2010 at 6:12 pm

anyone with items they would like appraised or if your looking to sell anything, contact me at:

davelabels@gmail.com
"POLO PRINCE" Seminole "ChiefLOt$aLO" Sport

July 12, 2010 at 4:41 pm

LO-Lifes stiLL do the Appraising worLd wide & stiLL have the Most LO in the WorLd not just cLassics but aLL coLLections from 70s tiLL next year… Ive had 2Ls up since yay taLL “Kid-LO” now “LO-Life” the yungest in charge …

Rack-LO Presents the LO-Life POLO BBQ juLy 31st 2010 in BkLyn NY HighLand Park. Info for BBQ on my Facebook Page and Rack-LOs Page.

My name is SeminoLe Sport
2Ls up tiLL they Bury me with the LO on and SO On!!!
POST THE GOD AOW

July 30, 2010 at 12:36 pm

LOL AT JUST BLAZE HAVING THE LARGEST COLLECTION IN THE WORLD …NEVER THAT ..NIGGAS IN THE KNOW ..KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS ..DO THE KNOWLEDGE.. J BLAZE BOUGHT 80 PERCENT OF THOSE PIECES FROM MEYHEM BAGS LO ..HE HAS A NICE DISPLAY BUT THERES GORILLAS OUT HERE WITH THE LO ..PLANET OF THE APES NYC TILL THE DEATH OF PEE…AYO DAVE LABELS WHAT THE SCIENCE..SEND THAT GREEN CROWN THIS WAY
POST THE GOD AOW

July 30, 2010 at 12:51 pm

AND THIS AINT A TREND ITS A LIFESTYLE..THAT SHOULD BE STUFFED INSIDE A CRACK VILE
sunroc

August 16, 2010 at 4:14 pm

Update: cassette tapes are cool again. retro baby.
Dega67

September 29, 2010 at 12:59 am

Yo i have been drunk of this trend since i was in high school (Art & Design in N.Y.C.)and that was over 18 years ago. Ther is nothing like classic lo, I need that Indian Head Goose in my life.
TRAMA

November 9, 2010 at 3:09 pm

A&D all day…class of 92…word!
Hazarudden

December 12, 2010 at 2:50 am

I got 1 Polo Bear Skiing t-shirt Sz small but fit to medium in mint condition and 1 Double R polo shirt medium size…
Rage Frontpage

April 3, 2011 at 2:39 am

Shouts 2 da all the O-ficial Lo-Lifes/Ralphy Kidz from KROWN HEIGHTZ BROOKLYN… And all Lo Headz in general… I got love for Trick Daddy, Lil Weezy, and any others who shout the Lo Brand, but people should know that there’s a real culture behind the Brookln/Ralph Lauren Relationship… Just like We took samples for our music, or stole Krylon for graffitti, there was also a fashion movement in the 9o’s whereas young black kids from Broolkyn stole or robbed millions of dollars worth of merchandise/profits from the Ralph Lauren brand. These are the \boosters\ you always hear about in East Coast Rap. And the main goal was to have exclusive peices when you went to school the day. I believe Ralph Lauren actually made a plea on television, asking the Lo- Lifes to stop stealing his products… His flagship ship store, the \Lo Mansion\ in Manhattan being a prime target and almost mythical place for Lo Heads.
Other prime targets were Macy’s, Bloomingdales, and outlets in PA.
Cumfukwitit

April 25, 2011 at 6:56 pm

I don’t know what you’re talking about Rage, buy get your facts straight. It wasn’t just young black kids. It was never about race. I’m Puerto Rican and was down with the movement since ’89, Brooklyn born and raised. My homeboy was Cuban, and we also ran with white boys too. Also shout out to all the Chino’s in the city rockin those official joints. Cats rockin those size small P Wing joints. I used to love rackin small sizes just to bump it off to them for loot. LOL
Vintage Steeze

May 2, 2011 at 11:15 pm

Hey Polo Ralph Lauren aficionados…I just picked up a pair of vintage Polo Ralph Lauren pants today and I am trying to figure out what exactly they are and how much they are worth. If anyone knows a thing or two about RL pants…drop me a line and I’ll send you a pic so you can check ’em…thanks!

**CASEY**
Mr. FATHER!

July 16, 2011 at 7:08 pm

I am a true fan of Ralph Lauren dating back to the early eighties even before the Lo-Lifes existed. No disrespect to the Lo-Lifes but I date back to the origins of hiphop. I still sell only mint condition Polo items that date back to the 70’s&early 80’s as well as new gear from present day. Not only do I have old school pieces I have new items from Ralph Lauren such as PURPLE LABEL&Ralph Lauren Leather both old&new. New clothing I sell for less than store price but the old oness are too rare&I get top dollar for that but prices are still reasonable. I also sell NORTHFACE, MONCLER, CANADA GOOSE&much more. Even laptops&other electronics&furniture. You want the connect contact me misterfather@yahoo.com&I will send you photos&info.
Mr. FATHER!

July 16, 2011 at 7:18 pm

Can you tell me the exact name&address of the store you speak of? I also have lots of Lo for sale&other name brand gear for sale. Let me know what’s up. @phil –
Isthmus

July 17, 2011 at 11:52 pm

Anyone know where I can find out if I have rare polo sport pieces?
Paidloisgaylo

July 21, 2011 at 8:31 am

Anyone who bought/buys/plans to buy lo is straight dlck riders. You can buy the whole collection, you still ain’t shit. If you didn’t earn your pieces (not talking money) then don’t even try to front or feel like you ever gonna be part of the game. Claim your paid collection, and always know you won’t get respect from those who lived it. I got stories behind my pieces, you got confirmation emails..
GetwIt

August 1, 2011 at 7:14 pm

plz ctrl tab back to your chris brown videos.
Tineo1982

August 14, 2011 at 4:03 am

alot of birds up here,,,,
Tito

September 16, 2011 at 5:08 pm

IT IS NOT JUST A BLACK THING! Only fools think that.
I have been wearin polo since 7th grade back in 1983. I picked up on it from my father and uncles and older cousins. Lacoste(back then known as Izod)went sour & took a total nosedive. Lookin back now I shake my head at all the vintage stuff I threw away…smh. All vintage I have left is the snowbeach jacket. Unless ur givin $25K for it, its not for sale.lol U don’t like it…go to the store and buy one lmao. I am from NY and fortunately I didn’t have to boost mine. In college I did hang with a kid from BK and we did boost(polo amongst others) for sport.lol. However I got paranoid of doin it and stopped by graduation…guess I grew up. He didn’t and did like 5 months in pennsylvania and got Like 4 yrs probation …stealin is not worth it.
4thaLo

September 16, 2011 at 5:28 pm

And the polo out today is corny for the most part. U still see some fly stuff here and there but that big horse look doodoo. Shit with the patches is live! I used to boost at the outlets in west virginia off of I95. Best lo was from the 80’s & 90’s. I had the ill oil cloth winter coat …it ripped on the escalator in penn station…I wanted to shoot somebody …I still get vexed when I think of it. I liked it so much I still rocked it with the tiny rip LMAO. I got the old school ‘dead poet society’ cloak in navy blue from ’89. Ralphy need tocome back with the ski jackets from the 80’s. Like what the kids rock in the special ed video- I got it made. I lived for hard to get pieces that only very few others had/have. Vintage stuff I have now, I just rap it up & keep them in the back of the closet. I would black out if the were destroyed. Geico need to putnout RALPHY INSURANCE
KNAWMEAN

September 21, 2011 at 11:17 am

alright with all due respect you have war stories for your pieces. but cmon sun what grown ass man is still boosting in 2011. lo is respected everywhere especially vintage from the crest, cookie , suicide and p wing all classics. so be easy shiitin on folks b4 they run a mia in ur crib…Bk fool.
Hallowbling

November 26, 2011 at 3:46 pm

stores.ebay.com/Never-Left-Vintage
Word?

December 16, 2011 at 6:04 pm

If you were stealing in the 80’s and 90’s I’m pretty sure you’re too old to be talking like that.
Fuckyuhbruh

January 21, 2012 at 5:12 pm

The bloomingdales trick was to use the guess dressing room it was like wild west saloon doors one dressing room back corner I would throw lo shit in there all day long.. Then go in with a pair of jeans and come out with a pair of jeans and weigh about 10 lbs heavier. There was a time I would be getting checks everyday back to back for returns of stolen merchandise from one store check from another.

-County of Kings!
Heisme

May 9, 2012 at 9:10 am

peace bra from a major lo head bk to the fullest my name in the lo-world is stay-lo keep polo alive ( 1 )
Tsacon

June 17, 2012 at 8:21 pm

Anybody remember the stadum shirt with the clay tennis court scene? It had this huge tennis player on front. Complete with net, stands, the whole nine.
Tosha

December 30, 2012 at 9:59 am

I always love polo l used to wear it back in the days. Now my 3 year old son i buy him all polo he have teddy flag sweaters everything polo they call him steve lo his middle name is ralph
The Stonersons

August 3, 2014 at 10:57 pm

And the polo out today is corny for the most part. U still see some fly stuff here and there but that big horse look doodoo. Shit with the patches is live! I used to boost at the outlets in west virginia off of I95. Best lo was from the 80’s & 90’s. I had the ill oil cloth winter coat …it ripped on the escalator in penn station…I wanted to shoot somebody …I still get vexed when I think of it. I liked it so much I still rocked it with the tiny rip LMAO. I got the old school ‘dead poet society’ cloak in navy blue from ’89. Ralphy need tocome back with the ski jackets from the 80’s. Like what the kids rock in the special ed video- I got it made. I lived for hard to get pieces that only very few others had/have. Vintage stuff I have now, I just rap it up & keep them in the back of the closet. I would black out if the were destroyed. Geico need to putnout RALPHY INSURANCE
wigger1212

October 8, 2014 at 4:20 pm

Holy fuck. I bet everyone on this shit is a fuckin outlet goon…either that or u wait at Marshall’s for boot cut polo jeans to go on sale. Just be happy w the CHAPS u hold. Fuckin pussies what polo are u talking about in early 80s/70s? Oh yeah the shit didn’t exist fuckin lying posers
wigger1212

October 8, 2014 at 4:21 pm

EAT SHIT AND DIE/ FUCK YO LIFE
KONG

May 13, 2017 at 5:33 pm

Hi -my name is Kong, and I was a “wanna-be” LO HEAD / LO LIFE while attending Midwood High School in Brooklyn, NY who got jumped twice for my Polo caps & Lo jacket (7th grade & freshman yr in high school -respectively) but when some of the affiliates of Decepts, Ralphie’s Kids and other Lo Life gang members from mid-90s got word from gym-class that I wasn’t a d*ck-ridin’ phoney a.k.a. ‘Hypebeast Stan’ — and since I was actually pretty good at ball (esp. ‘for a chink’ as they would always blurt-out), they began treatin’ me a bit differently -like a mascot of sorts…LOL…and no, I didn’t go through any hazings –nor was I mentally/physically tormented, “Thank the Lord!” They respected my passion for the Lo and hardcore love for the game!

Although I don’t promote gang violence and the illegal activities associated w/ most crime syndicates ~ Clan’s, Posse’s, Crew’s and Clik’s, I ain’t gonna front — being able to walk around Midwood, Brooklyn College campus, Avenue U & Flatbush area w/o any major threat of gettin’ touched was One of the Greatest Feelings in the Whole Wide World, “I CAN WALK, I CAN HUMP!!” No -but seriously, I kinda sorta felt protected and feeling safe on the streets of Brooklyn is almost unheard of —> esp. at The “Notorious” Junction — where Flatbush and Nostrand Avenues intersect…(wiping-off-sweat-from-forehead)…LO 4 LIFE!

https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a5261181ac237beda2c50deee784165c0e8dddc9bdbf86a3d49f5303df6b2ab6.jpg
Polo4everBigSkiBigCrown

September 26, 2017 at 1:31 pm

Up the back
Polo4everBigSkiBigCrown

September 26, 2017 at 1:31 pm

Facts on fax