Why a Ralph Lauren polo shirt size guide is needed at all
Most men order a polo in the size they always wear and hope for the best. With Ralph Lauren polos that approach goes wrong more often than it should, because the same size letter can mean different things depending on the cut. A medium in a Classic Fit is roomier than a medium in a Custom Slim Fit, and both differ from a Slim Fit. This Ralph Lauren polo shirt size guide explains the fits used on our product pages, shows how they compare, and gives you a method to choose without guessing.
Who we are, briefly: House of Portofino is an independent reseller. We are not an official Ralph Lauren dealer and we are not affiliated with or endorsed by the brand. Everything below comes from the descriptions on our own product pages.
The three fits explained
The descriptions on several of our polo pages spell out how the fits relate to each other. Here is the picture they give, from roomiest to closest.
Classic Fit
The roomiest of the three. The Ralph Lauren Clasic Fit Big Pony Mesh Polo Shirt page describes it as cut fuller through the chest, waist and sleeves, with a lower armhole that falls closer to the elbow. The same page lists a straight hem with side vents, a ribbed polo collar, a two-button placket, short sleeves with ribbed cuffs and a large embroidered pony on the left chest. It is listed as 100% cotton and machine washable. A Classic Fit suits you if you like a relaxed shape, wear layers under your polo or simply prefer more room.
Custom Slim Fit
The middle option. A slim silhouette that falls between the Classic Fit and the Slim Fit, according to the product pages. The sleeves sit close around the upper arms and the waist is slightly shaped. The Ralph Lauren Custom Slim Fit Mesh Polo Shirt page describes a short-sleeved polo in 100% breathable cotton piqué, with double contrasting stripes on the collar and cuffs, a ribbed collar, close-fitting ribbed sleeve cuffs, a two-button placket and an embroidered pony in a contrasting color. Note that the same page also says to choose your usual size, which is helpful context if you are between sizes.
The "Fitted" listing and the Slim Fit
Despite the name, this listing describes the same Custom Slim Fit cut, and it is the page that gives the numbers. The Ralph Lauren Fitted Mesh Polo Shirt page also compares the cut with its neighbors. It says the Slim Fit is 3.8 cm narrower at the chest and 1.3 cm shorter in the body, and the Classic Fit is 3.8 cm wider at the chest and 3.8 cm longer in the body. That is the clearest set of numbers on our site, and it shows that the difference between fits is real and measurable, not just a label. The page also lists a ribbed collar, a two-button placket, short sleeves with ribbed cuffs, a twill "3" patch on the right sleeve, a large embroidered pony on the left chest and 100% cotton, machine washable.
A comparison at a glance
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Classic Fit: fuller chest, waist and sleeves; longer in the body; lower armhole.
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Custom Slim Fit: between Classic and Slim; sleeves close to the upper arm; slightly shaped waist.
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Slim Fit: narrower at the chest (3.8 cm less than Custom Slim, per the page) and shorter in the body (1.3 cm less).
We have only quoted the figures that appear on the product page. They compare fits against each other; they are not a size chart in centimeters for each letter, and our pages do not provide one. For that reason we ask you to treat the comparison as a direction, not an exact prediction.
What about the Custom Fit crest polo?
Not every polo uses the same name. The Polo Ralph Lauren Custom Fit Polo with Embroidered Crest Logo is described with a Custom Fit that gives a neat, structured look, a classic polo collar, a partial button placket, short sleeves, the signature embroidered pony and a multicolored embroidered crest. It is offered in navy, black, white, green and red, in sizes XS to L. The page does not explain Custom Fit in centimeters, so we do not either. If you need a firm answer, ask us before you order.
How to choose your size, step by step
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Start with a polo that fits you well. Take your best-fitting polo or casual shirt and note the size on its label and the fit name if it has one.
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Decide how you want it to feel. Relaxed, neat or close. That points you to Classic, Custom Slim or Fitted.
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Shift by one size at most. If you usually wear a medium in a slim cut and want more room, consider the same letter in a Classic Fit rather than jumping two sizes. The page comparison suggests the fit name already changes the room at the chest.
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Consider how you will wear it. Under a jacket, tucked or untucked, on the golf course. A polo that you swing a club in may need to feel less restrictive across the shoulders.
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Check the size range on the page. The four polo pages mentioned in this guide are listed from If the product page tells you to choose your usual size, as it does for the Custom Slim Fit Mesh Polo, take that as the baseline.
Three real life examples
You like a polo that skims the body
Your usual size in a Custom Slim Fit or Fitted polo is a sensible start. If the product page tells you to choose your usual size, as it does for the Custom Slim Fit Mesh Polo, take that as the baseline.
You like some room, or you layer
The Classic Fit is the better match. It is cut fuller through the chest and sleeves, so it works better over a base layer and sits less snugly.
You are between sizes
Think about the fit name first. A larger size in a slim cut can be similar to a smaller size in a classic cut at the chest, though the length and sleeve differ. Compare the descriptions, and if you still hesitate, send us your usual size and fit preference so we can help you choose.
Common mistakes
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Ignoring the fit name. The size letter alone does not tell you how a polo will sit.
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Buying one size up to be safe. A bigger size in a Classic Fit may be more room than you want.
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Looking only at the chest. Length and sleeve also affect how a polo looks on you. The page comparison notes length differences between fits.
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Relying on a color photo for fit. Photos show the color and the design. Use the description for the fit.
A note on colours
Colour names on our site are in Dutch, and the photos show the colour. The Custom Slim Fit Mesh Polo is offered in six colors (white, yellow, green, navy, black and blue). The Fitted Mesh Polo is offered in black, white and navy, and the Classic Fit Big Pony Mesh Polo in black, red and green. Use the color option on each page to see the shirt in the shade you want before choosing a size.
Where to see more polos
The Golf collection groups many of our polos together with pullovers, caps and golf balls, which is useful if you are choosing a polo for the course. For a broader view of polos next to knitwear, hoodies and shirts, browse Men Designer Resell. Each product page shows its colors and sizes, and the description names the fit.
Care, kept simple
Several of the polos mentioned above are listed as 100% cotton and machine washable. We cannot give more detail than the product page does, so follow the care label on the garment itself. As general good practice, avoid very high heat when drying cotton, because it can change how a close-fitting polo sits.
Before you order
- Select both color and size on the product page.
- Read the fit description, not just the title.
- If something is unclear, ask customer service before you buy.
- Remember that we are an independent reseller, not an official dealer, as each page states.
FAQ
Is Custom Slim Fit true to size?
The Custom Slim Fit Mesh Polo page says to choose your usual size. The fit sits between Classic and Slim, with sleeves close to the upper arm and a slightly shaped waist. If you prefer a roomy fit, consider a Classic Fit instead.
What is the difference between Classic Fit and Slim Fit?
One of our product pages states that the Slim Fit is 3.8 cm narrower at the chest and 1.3 cm shorter in the body than the Custom Slim Fit, while the Classic Fit is 3.8 cm wider at the chest and 3.8 cm longer in the body. The Classic Fit is also cut fuller at the waist and sleeves.
Which sizes are available?
The four polos we discuss here are listed in sizes XS to L. Other listings in our collections offer different ranges, so check the size options on each product page.
Ralph Lauren Polo Shirt Size Guide: Classic, Custom Slim and Fitted Fits
Why a Ralph Lauren polo shirt size guide is needed at all
Most men order a polo in the size they always wear and hope for the best. With Ralph Lauren polos that approach goes wrong more often than it should, because the same size letter can mean different things depending on the cut. A medium in a Classic Fit is roomier than a medium in a Custom Slim Fit, and both differ from a Slim Fit. This Ralph Lauren polo shirt size guide explains the fits used on our product pages, shows how they compare, and gives you a method to choose without guessing.
Who we are, briefly: House of Portofino is an independent reseller. We are not an official Ralph Lauren dealer and we are not affiliated with or endorsed by the brand. Everything below comes from the descriptions on our own product pages.
The three fits explained
The descriptions on several of our polo pages spell out how the fits relate to each other. Here is the picture they give, from roomiest to closest.
Classic Fit
The roomiest of the three. The Ralph Lauren Clasic Fit Big Pony Mesh Polo Shirt page describes it as cut fuller through the chest, waist and sleeves, with a lower armhole that falls closer to the elbow. The same page lists a straight hem with side vents, a ribbed polo collar, a two-button placket, short sleeves with ribbed cuffs and a large embroidered pony on the left chest. It is listed as 100% cotton and machine washable. A Classic Fit suits you if you like a relaxed shape, wear layers under your polo or simply prefer more room.
Custom Slim Fit
The middle option. A slim silhouette that falls between the Classic Fit and the Slim Fit, according to the product pages. The sleeves sit close around the upper arms and the waist is slightly shaped. The Ralph Lauren Custom Slim Fit Mesh Polo Shirt page describes a short-sleeved polo in 100% breathable cotton piqué, with double contrasting stripes on the collar and cuffs, a ribbed collar, close-fitting ribbed sleeve cuffs, a two-button placket and an embroidered pony in a contrasting color. Note that the same page also says to choose your usual size, which is helpful context if you are between sizes.
The "Fitted" listing and the Slim Fit
Despite the name, this listing describes the same Custom Slim Fit cut, and it is the page that gives the numbers. The Ralph Lauren Fitted Mesh Polo Shirt page also compares the cut with its neighbors. It says the Slim Fit is 3.8 cm narrower at the chest and 1.3 cm shorter in the body, and the Classic Fit is 3.8 cm wider at the chest and 3.8 cm longer in the body. That is the clearest set of numbers on our site, and it shows that the difference between fits is real and measurable, not just a label. The page also lists a ribbed collar, a two-button placket, short sleeves with ribbed cuffs, a twill "3" patch on the right sleeve, a large embroidered pony on the left chest and 100% cotton, machine washable.
A comparison at a glance
We have only quoted the figures that appear on the product page. They compare fits against each other; they are not a size chart in centimeters for each letter, and our pages do not provide one. For that reason we ask you to treat the comparison as a direction, not an exact prediction.
What about the Custom Fit crest polo?
Not every polo uses the same name. The Polo Ralph Lauren Custom Fit Polo with Embroidered Crest Logo is described with a Custom Fit that gives a neat, structured look, a classic polo collar, a partial button placket, short sleeves, the signature embroidered pony and a multicolored embroidered crest. It is offered in navy, black, white, green and red, in sizes XS to L. The page does not explain Custom Fit in centimeters, so we do not either. If you need a firm answer, ask us before you order.
How to choose your size, step by step
Three real life examples
You like a polo that skims the body
Your usual size in a Custom Slim Fit or Fitted polo is a sensible start. If the product page tells you to choose your usual size, as it does for the Custom Slim Fit Mesh Polo, take that as the baseline.
You like some room, or you layer
The Classic Fit is the better match. It is cut fuller through the chest and sleeves, so it works better over a base layer and sits less snugly.
You are between sizes
Think about the fit name first. A larger size in a slim cut can be similar to a smaller size in a classic cut at the chest, though the length and sleeve differ. Compare the descriptions, and if you still hesitate, send us your usual size and fit preference so we can help you choose.
Common mistakes
A note on colours
Colour names on our site are in Dutch, and the photos show the colour. The Custom Slim Fit Mesh Polo is offered in six colors (white, yellow, green, navy, black and blue). The Fitted Mesh Polo is offered in black, white and navy, and the Classic Fit Big Pony Mesh Polo in black, red and green. Use the color option on each page to see the shirt in the shade you want before choosing a size.
Where to see more polos
The Golf collection groups many of our polos together with pullovers, caps and golf balls, which is useful if you are choosing a polo for the course. For a broader view of polos next to knitwear, hoodies and shirts, browse Men Designer Resell. Each product page shows its colors and sizes, and the description names the fit.
Care, kept simple
Several of the polos mentioned above are listed as 100% cotton and machine washable. We cannot give more detail than the product page does, so follow the care label on the garment itself. As general good practice, avoid very high heat when drying cotton, because it can change how a close-fitting polo sits.
Before you order
FAQ
Is Custom Slim Fit true to size?
The Custom Slim Fit Mesh Polo page says to choose your usual size. The fit sits between Classic and Slim, with sleeves close to the upper arm and a slightly shaped waist. If you prefer a roomy fit, consider a Classic Fit instead.
What is the difference between Classic Fit and Slim Fit?
One of our product pages states that the Slim Fit is 3.8 cm narrower at the chest and 1.3 cm shorter in the body than the Custom Slim Fit, while the Classic Fit is 3.8 cm wider at the chest and 3.8 cm longer in the body. The Classic Fit is also cut fuller at the waist and sleeves.
Which sizes are available?
The four polos we discuss here are listed in sizes XS to L. Other listings in our collections offer different ranges, so check the size options on each product page.