For Ralph Lauren fans, many are familiar with “The Iconic Flag Sweater”. May it be seeing the iconic Polo Bear sporting the sweater with the old 13-star antique US flag (3-2-3-2-3 star pattern known as the “Hopkinson Pattern”) or seeing many people on their fashion vlogs or social media sporting the sweater in navy blue or white.
But why 13 stars? Could it be that it’s easier to feature 13 stars on a sweater? Is 50 too much? Or is there a significant reason why Ralph Lauren sports the 13 star flag?
Back in the old days of school in America, many teachers have taught from the old history books that Betsy Ross created the first flag.
In today’s modern years and the Internet age, we are starting to learn a lot of things that were taught to us long ago, may not be really true. For example, Christopher Columbus did not discover North America, nor was it Leif Erikson, Polynesian sailors even before Erikson, but its believed Nomadic Asian tribes did. And of course, many of us were taught that Pluto was the ninth planet in the solar system.
Things change.
And that goes to who was responsible for creating the first American flag.
Many historians have dismissed the story of Betsy Ross creating the first flag, although it is known that she made hundreds of US flags for over 50 years. So, if Betsy Ross didn’t create the first flag, who did?
It is believed that Francis Hopkinson was the person who designed the first flag of the United States and there are journals of the Continental Congress that support this.
Hopkinson’s first flag featured 13 stars (as mentioned, the 3-2-3-2-3 star pattern) with seven red stripes and six white stripes which was designed for the U.S. Navy (Hopkinson also created a version with the white and red reversed, with the white stripe on the top and bottom), which would become the national flag from 1777-1795.
So, what is the Ralph Lauren connection?
Did you know that designer Ralph Lauren has spent millions in preserving “the Star-Spangled Banner”, the Great Garrison Flag which was flown over Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor during the War of 1812.
The Star Spangled Banner flag features a 3-3-3-3-3 star pattern with eight red stripes and seven white stripes.
Well, in the late 90’s, Ralph Lauren wanted to preserve the national hallmark that was the essence of his clothing. Lauren would donate $10 million to restore the flag and $3 million to support the historic preservation program.
Lauren would say, “I have always loved things that are worn, like an old plaid shirt that has been patched and mended or an old pickup truck that is a little dented and the paint a little faded. That patina is evidence of a history of work and a kind of honesty that to me is very American”, in his foreword to the boo, “The Star-Spangled Banner: The Making of An American Icon”.
Lauren who provided substantial support for a multi-year conservation effort to protect the flag from continuing to be ravaged. And he would be awarded the James Smithsonian Bicentennial Medal.
Lauren has said, he is a “product of the American dream, and the flag is its symbol”.
And to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Ralph Lauren brand, the “Iconic Flag Sweater” was released.
According to RalphLauren.com, regarding the “Iconic Flag Sweater”, the description is as follows “The sweater’s 13 stars and stripes recall early American flags, including the one that flew over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812, which inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and the restoration of which Ralph Lauren generously helped underwrite in 1998″.
So, do know, there are several types of Ralph Lauren flag knit sweaters.
Ralph Lauren released a 23-star version (5-4-5-4-5, seven red stripe, six white stripe) and a 24-star version (6-6-6-6) of its knit sweater and is considered vintage. But for this post, I will focus on the 13-star version with the RL under the right corner of the flag (not the one with the RL on the bottom left hem area).
As mentioned, Francis Hopkinson created the original 13-star flag with seven red stripes and six white stripes and a version with seven white stripes and six red stripes.
When it was released, “The Icon Flag Sweater” was seen on online shops in both versions.
The most common is the red stripe on top, while the white stripe on top version / 2 is now uncommon and rare. Personally, I have not seen anyone sport the white stripe on top. And I’m not even sure if it was a concept sweater that was featured on the shops, because you can’t just choose a red or white stripe on top version.
There are also two Ralph Lauren Polo Bear sweaters of the iconic Polo Bear wearing the “Iconic Flag Sweater” (one with a denim jacket on, one without). But for this article, I am focusing on the non-Polo Bear version.
Pictured on the bottom is what I own:
The second picture is featured on RalphLauren.com and Macy’s with the white stripe on top, which I have not been able to get my hands on:
But we see the model wearing it and suffice to say, if the white stripe version does exist, it may be a holy grail sweater for Ralph Lauren collectors. And if you do own the white stripe on top version, please share your photos!
I also contacted RalphLauren.com to confirm if there is a white stripe on top version, as shown on their shop. And the reply was as follows:
We appreciate your inquiry regarding The Iconic Flag Sweater.
After further review, we believe that this was a photography error as the alternate view, on the page of this item, shows the top stripe as red, not white.
Nevertheless, this is no doubt a wonderful sweater to own.
The sweater is made in cotton, features a crewneck, rib-knit cuffs and hem, Intarsia-knit historical flag with the RL and the stars embroidered. And this sweater CAN be machine washed and is made in the USA.
Paired with blue jeans or white denim and purchased either in navy blue or white, this is a quintessential Ralph Lauren sweater worth owning.
