So here’s the deal with that polo rugby sweater sizing mess…
I wanted one of those classic Polo Ralph Lauren rugby sweaters, right? Looked damn cool in the pictures. Saw one pop up online, decent price. Clicked “add to cart” without even thinking much about the size. Figured, “Eh, probably fits like other Polo stuff.” Grabbed my usual Large.
Got the package a week later. Ripped it open, super excited. Pulled the sweater out… held it up. Damn thing looked tiny. Like, ridiculously small. Compared it to another Polo sweater I own that’s also labeled Large. No way. This rugby one was way shorter and felt narrower across the chest just eyeballing it. Seriously confusing. Put it on anyway, forced my arms through. Could barely zip it halfway up my chest. Felt like I was wearing a kid’s sweater. Total waste of money if I kept that size.
Sent it back immediately. Now I was determined to get the size right. But I knew their charts could be messy. Started digging online for actual measurements.
- First, I found Ralph Lauren’s generic size chart. Useless. Just vague letters like “Fits Slim” or “Classic Fit” with no actual numbers.
- Checked a bunch of different stores selling the rugby. Found one that listed the chest measurement for each specific size. Jackpot! Saw that a Large measured something like 44 inches chest laid flat. Compared that to my actual chest size (measuring tape around the widest part, over a thin shirt – 44 inches exactly). Seemed perfect.
- But remembered the horror of the first sweater. Measured my other Polo sweater that actually fits well. Chest measured almost 48 inches laid flat! Huge difference. The rugby definitely runs much smaller.
Armed with that info, went straight for XL this time. Clicked buy again, crossing my fingers. Waited another week.
New package arrives. Unboxed it way slower this time, kinda nervous. Held it up – immediately looked bigger. Length was better too. Slipped it on. Zipped it up easily over a t-shirt. Arm length? Perfect. Shoulders? Spot on. Chest? Snug but comfy, not tight. Exactly how I wanted it to fit – substantial, classic rugby style, without being a tent or suffocating me.
What did I learn? Never, ever assume the size with Ralph Lauren rugby stuff. Doesn’t matter if you own other Polo polos or tees. This sweater runs its own race. Forget the letter on the tag meaning anything unless you look at actual chest measurements from that specific style. Ended up needing to size up once to get my perfect fit. Saved me a whole lot of return hassle and disappointment in the end.
