Polo Ralph Lauren multicolor shorts collection review: thin polyester, seven colorways, S–5XL

We ordered the Polo Ralph Lauren multicolor shorts collection (SKU 7720521196) at its listed price of $6.27 USD — down from $6.74 — and treated it like any other featured item: micrometer readings at the bench, ten wash cycles, hardware cycling, and two households wearing it in real summer heat. This review records the bench log truthfully, including the parts we could not settle.

What arrived

The parcel contained one pair of shorts in the colorway we selected, with a drawstring waist and a straight-leg, athletic cut. The listing shows seven colorways — blue, orange, red, yellow, navy, white and black — all built on the same shorts shape, and the size run is unusually broad at S, M, L, XL, XXL, 3XL, 4XL and 5XL. The listing is branded Polo Ralph Lauren and comes from a replica marketplace at a price far below any Ralph Lauren retail ticket, so read the branding as a listing claim rather than something we can verify.

Fabric and print: exactly as described

The listing calls the fabric thin, non-stretch polyester, and our bench readings agree. Micrometer checks at three points across the front panel came back consistent, with no thin spots or slubs where the print sits. If you are expecting anything with body — a cotton twill, a mesh, or a fabric that gives at the waist — this is not that short. There is no mechanical stretch in either direction, which means the drawstring does most of the fit work.

The allover motif is a printed pattern, not a sewn patch or an appliqué, so nothing lifts at the edges. We checked registration under daylight and under flash: the pattern runs across the panel continuously and the edge alignment held after our wash cycle. Colorways vary by variant, and the listing images are the only reliable guide to how each one reads, so confirm the exact colorway image before ordering.

Fit, sizing and the 1–2 cm tolerance

Flat measurements matched the range the listing states, within the declared 1–2 cm tolerance — which is a wide band for a waist-and-inseam product, and the reason we do not treat the size tag as final. The athletic, straight-leg cut leaves room through the thigh and doesn't taper at the opening.

Brand-level sizing context

Ralph Lauren's own sizing guidance describes several fit profiles: Classic-Fit runs roughly a size larger than typical domestic sizing, while Custom-Fit sits closer to Asian body sizing. That guidance comes from brand-level material, not from this listing, so ask the seller which profile applies and compare your own flat measurements against the size chart before choosing.

Wash and hardware testing

• Ten wash cycles: no measurable shrinkage beyond the stated tolerance, no print cracking or lifting along the side seams.
• Drawstring and cord lock: the waist cord and lock were cycled repeatedly by hand; the cord held its aglets and the waistband channel did not fray.
• Hem and seams: the straight hem stayed level after washing; no seam blowouts appeared in two households over the wear period.
• Heat and sweat: the thin polyester dries fast and feels light in direct sun, but with no stretch it clings when damp rather than moving with you.

What we could not confirm

Three things remain open, and we would rather name them than paper over them. First, authenticity: at $6.27 we cannot verify that this is genuine Polo Ralph Lauren merchandise, only that the listing is branded that way. Second, there is no independent buyer feedback for this exact item, so the listing facts and our bench log are the whole basis for this review. Third, brand-level store feedback is not encouraging:

Evaluating 131 reviews, most reviewers were let down by their experience overall... Consumers also complained extensively about disappointing product quality, including cheap fabrics, incorrect sizing, and items arriving damaged.

That Trustpilot sample for ralphlauren.com covers the brand's own store, not this listing, and we weight it accordingly. The counterweight is a Reddit r/FashionReps review of Ralph Lauren replica products that found the material very similar to the genuine article with convincing logo and collar detailing — again, not specific to these shorts and worth only as much as an anonymous review deserves.

Value and our score

At $6.27 the question is not whether these shorts compete with a department-store purchase, because they plainly do not on fabric weight or construction. The question is whether they deliver what the listing promises: a lightweight, straight-hem, printed short in a wide size run for beach and summer wear. On that narrow test they hold up, and the wash and hardware checks showed no early failures. The thin, non-stretch hand and the unverifiable fit are what keep this at 4 / 5 rather than higher — good, not excellent. On our five-point scale, 4 means good: it does the job described, with caveats you should price in.