If it’s been a minute since you’ve set foot in a Banana Republic, know that you’re missing out. We’re spoiled for menswear, no doubt, but BR’s resurgence—several years old, at this point, has put it squarely back on the map as a go-to outpost. At least for me.
That’s largely because I’ve seen BR lean back into the styles that made it so damn good to begin with: safari-pilled fits, straight-from-the-archives reboots of classic pieces, and menswear that that looks sharp without leaning too hard into business casual. The new Banana Republic is less worried about what I’m wearing Monday through Friday, and more about what I’ll pack for my vacation days.
All that—and, sure, a job at GQ—explains why I found myself in Banana Republic’s flagship store in New York’s SoHo neighborhood on one hot and sunny day this spring.
Inside the doors was a souped-up version of your average Banana Republic: two floors decked out with old telescopes and vintage Americana between racks and racks of in-season clothing. A BMW R69US motorcycle from the ’60s sat pretty beside a mannequin in an all-denim look. The ground floor had a special section of vintage Banana pieces—from your dad’s days up through the aughts, sourced and for sale—that I’d come back to more than once. But to start, I was headed for the second floor, home of the men’s section.
For two hours, I hit the racks at Banana Republic with a plan to make five full looks, pulling from new arrivals, some perennial hits, and a vintage piece or two. The hardest part was stopping at just five looks.
Heads-up: For items that are sold out or my own, I swapped in similar picks.
Look #1: Cooking at the BBQ
Photos: Tyler Chin
I was sweaty when I stepped into the store, and couldn’t ditch my long-sleeve shirt and tailored pants fast enough. Blessedly Banana Republic’s summer was in full swing. A pair of longer-than-I’m-used-to vintage cargo shorts caught my eye, as did a banana-hued, two-pocket short-sleeve shirt that made me think of those Progressive’s commercials about not turning into your parents. Except, in this case, that’s exactly what I wanted to do. In true dad fashion, I let the dogs out with a pair of leather sandals while I practiced saying, “Careful near the grill, son.”
Look #2: This one suits me
Photos: Tyler Chin
I’ve been wearing ties and blazers a lot to work recently, sparking plenty of coworkers to ask: “What are you dressing up for?” Sue me if I want to look good at my 9-to-5! The next step for me is a full suit on a random Tuesday, and Banana’s Relaxed tencel-linen jacket and pants might be the one.
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