Ralph Lauren Wallet

To suggest that Ralph Lauren has come a long way is an understatement. From his humble beginnings as a tie salesman working out of a drawer at New York’s Empire State Building, he grew one of the world’s largest and most successful fashion empires from scratch.

For decades, Ralph Lauren’s clothing brand has blended classic, preppy Americana East Coast-style with the look of upper-crust English aristocracy. This style is the hallmark of Ralph Lauren’s design and can be seen in all facets of his brand, from its vintage apparel, accessories and jewelry to furniture and décor.

The iconic fashion designer was born Ralph Rueben Lifshitz in New York City and grew up in the Bronx. When he and his brother were in their teens, they changed their surname from Lifshitz to Lauren after being teased about it at school. Later on, Lauren took business classes at night, worked at various menswear retailers and did a stint in the U.S. Army. While working at tie manufacturer Beau Brummel, he was inspired to create his own line of ties.

In 1967, Lauren launched “Polo,” ties handmade from high-quality fabrics featuring a wide design. They were a success. Lauren sold $500,000 worth to retail giants Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus and Paul Stuart in his first year.

Lauren expanded his designs into clothing, with his first menswear line of classic tweed suits in 1968 and, in 1971, his first line of womenswear featuring classic feminine tailoring. Lauren’s nostalgic fashion soon captured the eye of Hollywood. He created costumes for the 1974 adaptation of The Great Gatsby and was responsible for Diane Keaton’s distinctive feminine menswear look in 1977’s Annie Hall. Ralph Lauren’s designs have since garnered national and international acclaim and recognition — from Gwyneth Paltrow’s iconic pink 1999 Oscars dress to becoming the official outfitter of Team USA for the Olympics since 2008.

In 2018, Ralph Lauren celebrated his 50th anniversary with a star-studded fashion show and, in 2019, was awarded an honorary knighthood — the highest British honor — for services to fashion.

On 1stDibs, discover a wide range of vintage Ralph Lauren shirts, sweaters and other clothing.

Vintage and designer wallets and small accessories, such as wristlets, belt bags, clutches and other compact items, can be the perfect accessory for a night out or running everyday errands.

The invention of paper money dates back to the 7th century in China, but, globally, it took a while to catch on. It wasn’t until 1690 in the United States that paper money could finally be printed and used to pay taxes, for example, following the General Court of Massachusetts’s order that a limited batch be produced to pay soldiers owing to a shortage of coins.

As paper money became more common, so too did carrying wallets. Coin purses were no longer the most convenient option for carrying cash.

Today, just as the world’s best-known luxury houses are celebrated for their iconic handbags and purses, brands such as Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Gucci, Chanel and others offer a sweeping array of sophisticated wallets and small accessories for any event. While wallets seem to be getting smaller and the role of cash is dwindling, we simply cannot live without our bags and bag-like accessories. More options have emerged for carrying our essentials, with cardholders, pouches and belt bags made of nylon and leather gaining popularity in recent years.

On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage and designer wallets and small accessories.