This American Brand Is Fueling the Preppy Resurgence

When Ralph Lauren staged the men’s fall 2026 collection in Milan in January, the internet erupted in joy. Instead of simply showing classic suiting and more refined looks, the brand leaned hard into preppy nostalgia. Opening with a purple and orange striped shirt that said Polo Sport across the chest and following up with a series of colorful puffers and caps, it was a clear sign that ’90s American sportswear was back and better than ever. And for even the most casual fashion fan, this comeback felt highly relatable — after all, who didn’t own something with that iconic pony logo at some point in their life?

Such a reaction seemed inevitable to Depop’s global brand strategy director, Harriet Lowson. “The renewed interest speaks to a larger cultural shift to personal style being curated. People are prioritizing core staples that reflect the identities they want to project over the novelty of trend chasing,” she says. That coincides nicely with what the resale site is calling “Neo Nostalgia,” which frames brands with deep archives, like Ralph Lauren, as being sources for a new generation of fans to take in and shape it into something that feels authentic to them. Preppy style is now personal, diverse, and broadly inclusive.

The stats back this up. Over the last month searches for Polo Ralph Lauren and vintage Ralph Lauren are up 44 percent and 35 percent respectively on the resale platform. More broadly, the word “preppy” is up 85 percent since the beginning of the year. As for what styles are landing? That would be oxford and rugby shirts, cable-knit sweaters, and of course, polos. “Vintage pieces from the brand have an appeal that goes beyond nostalgia, rooted in quality and their ability to function as everyday wardrobe staples,” says Lowson.

Dora Fung, editor in chief of 10 Magazine USA, agrees with Lowson. A lifelong fan of the brand, she owns more than 100 pieces, both new and vintage. “Polo Ralph Lauren never tries to be anything other than what it is. It’s effortless Americana that works for travel, vacations, and holidays alike,” she says. She also notes that the label’s unwavering commitment to their aesthetic, without resorting to trend chasing, appeals to a new generation due to its decades of remaining true to their core customers. “People have always loved it and now those who are coming around are simply playing catch-up.”