Ralph Lauren's Polo Bear sweaters are still iconic after more than 30 years

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I've been writing about style for the last eight years, and I've been a consumer of it for much longer. Of the seemingly endless brands I've collected personally or tested for work, Ralph Lauren is my favorite of all time. It's one of the few brands that has appeal and influence on all aspects of style, from streetwear to high fashion.

If you were to name an article of clothing, I'm almost certain I have some variation of it from Ralph Lauren in my wardrobe. My collection spans from vintage ski jackets from the '80s to the basic Polo shirts the brand is well-known for, but my favorite design is the Polo Bear sweater.

The iconic Polo Bear came to be after Ralph Lauren and his brother Jerry Lauren received Steiff teddy bears dressed as themselves as gifts from their employees in 1990. They loved them so much that in 1991, Ralph Lauren produced a small batch of Polo teddy bears in collaboration with Steiff and began putting the designs on sweaters, sweatshirts, and more. 

More than 30 years later, the Polo Bear is one of the most recognizable designs in fashion and a signature of the Ralph Lauren brand as a whole.

Sweaters, in general, are a major part of my wardrobe because they can be worn three seasons out of the year (depending on how you layer) for pretty much any casual or semi-formal occasion.

Ralph Lauren's Polo Bears get my vote for the best sweaters to splurge on because they can easily take the place of your boring solid-colored sweaters, they add character to your outfits, they retain value and collectability, and if the last three decades are any indication, they'll never go out of style. 

Having pieces that last for many years in terms of quality and style typically means having fewer and better clothes, but if you're anything like me you'll want to collect a different Polo Bear for every occasion.

Polo Bear knit sweaters range start at around $300 depending on the material and style, but sometimes go on sale. If you're looking for less expensive items, Ralph Lauren also has Polo Bear hats, hoodies, T-shirts, socks, wallets, and more — all of which make great gifts.