polo id

The Designer Bag Label To Know: Polo Ralph Lauren

by Imran Jalal  /   September 14, 2022

Even when it comes to bags, Polo Ralph Lauren’s romantic POV on adventure shines through. Together with the preppy smart-casual label by American luxury house Ralph Lauren, FEMALE spotlights its new Polo ID line of leather accessories and how it’s perfect for a new generation of everyday style stars.


Mention Polo Ralph Lauren and one would most likely paint a picture of laidback Americana chic that revolves around staples such as traditional pique cotton tennis shirts that are better known today as polo shirts, trusty denim jeans and Oxford shirts. While these wardrobe perennials remain the pillars for the brand, it is taking its ambitions as a purveyor of luxury leather bags seriously. To wit, it has recently launched the Polo ID collection which comprises four key bag styles – along with footwear and small leather goods.

The Polo ID line gets its name from metal identification bracelets that were traditionally treasured as family heirlooms in the US – they were collected, engraved and then passed down the generations. To emulate this, each of the bag styles is anchored by brass hardware featuring a cut-out of the brand’s iconic Polo Pony motif. Everything else about them is meant to allow one to express one’s own style effortlessly with sleek, simple lines inspired by Polo Ralph Lauren’s heritage in equestrianism.

polo id
Credit:Phyllicia Wang

Polo ID calfskin mini shoulder bag, wool-blend blazer, cotton top, denim jeans, silk scarf (worn as headband) and leather boots. All Polo Ralph Lauren

The mini shoulder bag (above), for example, would appeal to those into Y2K fashion with its dinky shape and ability to be carried two ways: as a half-moon hobo on the shoulder, or what the brand calls a “croissant-shaped” wristlet by adjusting how its strap is attached. For long days out (or even travel), there’s the roomy saddle that fits everything you might need while maintaining its elegant curves, thanks to the high-quality Italian leather finish.

polo id
Credit:Phyllicia Wang

Top row: Polo ID calfskin shoulder bag, linen blazer, cotton T-shirt, denim midi skirt, cotton cap and suede boots. Bottom row: Polo ID calfskin saddle bag, denim shirt, cotton pants, metal sunglasses, beaded cotton scarf and suede boots. All Polo Ralph Lauren

Indeed, if there’s a brand that would get ’70s American sportswear elegance right, it’s Polo Ralph Lauren – after all, its iconic polo shirt was launched in 1972. The Polo ID collection of bags includes two always-trendy shoulder-slung styles that revive the aesthetic’s mix of day-to-night sophistication and practicality.

polo id
Credit:Phyllicia Wang

Polo ID canvas and wool envelope shoulder bag, wool blazer, cotton shirt, denim jeans, corduroy cap, leather belt and suede boots. All Polo Ralph Lauren

The saddle-shaped shoulder bag comes in full calfskin and is a smart-looking, fail-proof accompaniment when channelling tomboy chic. Meanwhile the structured envelope silhouette comes on a leather-and-chain strap and in a wider, more playful variety of finishes: calfskin, croc-embossed leather, and plain or floral-printed canvas with a leather trim.


Photography Phyllicia Wang Videography Alicia Chong Styling Damian Huang Styling Assistant Danessa Tong Hair EC Tan/Kizuki+Lim Makeup Keith Bryant Lee, using M.A.C Model Nicole Liew/Basic Models Management


This article is adapted from a story in the Sep 2022 The Kids Are Alright! edition of FEMALE