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Occupying an entire block of the Upper East Side’s Madison Avenue, Ralph Lauren’s empire is hard to miss. Among the individual stores, which include spaces for his upscale Black and Purple Labels and pint-sized designs for kids and babies, this flagship location is the mecca for Ralph Lauren’s particular brand American luxury. The multi-level space displays many of Lauren’s collections: Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, RLX, and Polo Ralph Lauren. The higher-end pieces all mix a contemporary take on East Coast prep—think tweeds, herringbones, and cashmeres in conservative silhouettes and neutral colors—with Lauren’s signature equestrian motif. The RLX label, which carries seasonal fitness essentials in the form of high-performance athletic gear, combines style with functionality through waterproof and breathable fabrics. The brand’s iconic oxfords, polos, and pullovers still take up considerable floor space, thanks to their enduring design and durable craftsmanship, but the more recent accessories lines (shoes, sunglasses, and leather handbags) have updated the otherwise reserved look of the label. — Alexis Brunswick

Fall/winter and spring/summer sales are usually held twice a year.

Key Departments

Polo, the Mansion’s tougher little brother, supplies prepsters with cabled sweaters, cardigans, crewnecks, pleated and flat-front trousers, cashmere sweatpants, and, of course, the iconic polo shirts. Activewear from RLX, too. The merchandising mix is the same in the West Village men's store: well-edited vintage pieces (messenger-style leather bags, cowboy boots, and belts) alongside choices from all Ralph labels, including RLX. There are cashmere rugby shirts for the preppy set, exquisite suits and shoes for power brokers, fringed suede jackets and snap-front shirts for urban cowboys.