For those that haven’t checked GQ.com recently, Banana Republic is, quite simply, very good again. There are multiple reasons for the brand’s resurgence, but the short version goes like this: a couple of years ago, the big-box retailer started mining its storied archive, embraced the styles that made it a household name in the first place, applied some of the world’s finest fabrics to those exact styles, and proceeded to drop a whole slew of them every season since.
These days, the brand shows no sign of easing up. Looking for some Rat Pack-worthy polos in surprisingly luxe blends? Banana Republic has you covered. Voluminous pleated trousers with just the right kind of drape? Ditto. Summer knits that will age infinitely better than the weekend decisions you make while wearing them? A seemingly endless supply, each rendered in more dazzling fabrications than the last.
So if you’ve been longing for the days when all that stood between you and a head-to-toe wardrobe refresh was remembering what zone you parked in the mall, we’re thrilled to reiterate: Banana Republic is so back. Here’s everything it’s doing best.
The Banana Republic Shopping Guide, by Category
Sultry Summer Knits
If your relationship with Banana Republic sweaters involves bygone school picture days or entry-level office wardrobes, you’re not alone. But you’re also missing out, because in recent seasons, the mall stalwart has gone absolutely ballistic with its knitwear, delivering one of the widest selections without sacrificing any of that trademark quality—C-suite fashion on a cubicle budget. And between the kitten-soft cashmere-linen crewnecks, the slinky all-linen V-necks, and the go-with-anything cotton cardigans, the most frustrating part of the brand’s revamped selection might be choosing just one. (Oh, and if you think the tank/button-up combo goes hard, just wait until you play the tank/seasonally-appropriate-cardigan remix.)
Armani-Adjacent Trousers
If you worship at the altar of ‘90s-era Armani, you could expend a lot of energy tracking down the real deal on the vintage market—or you could just scoop a pair of BR’s relaxed pleated trousers, which feel steeped in the Italian maestro’s louche swagger. Banana Republic still makes plenty of down-the-middle chinos, but its selection of dressier pants might be its most compelling foray into capital-M Menswear.
Pitch-Perfect Polos
We like knit polos, you like knit polos, Jacob Elordi really likes knit polos. And so does Banana Republic, which sells a murderer’s row of ’em in basically every permutation imaginable. From long-sleeve cashmere-silk joints that feel exactly like you’d imagine that combination would feel to one of the most robust collection of short-sleeved linen-forward options on the market, there’s really no wrong turn to be made if you’re trying to break of a style rut—and virtually none of them will break the bank.
Swervy Short-Sleeve Shirts
As much as we love a beat-up Oxford shirt, we also love to mix it up. And if you’ve been in a rotation rut, mix it up with the help of BR’s surprisingly varied assortment of seasonal button-ups, which includes such hits as Linen Short-Sleeve and Very Loose Gauge Knit, as well as lesser-known bangers like Linen Terrycloth Resort Shirt and Gauzy Flat-Hem. If you’re looking for the classics, those are as good as ever, too—including the ridiculously luxe pure silk camp collar riffs.
Megawatt Leather Jackets
This isn’t the first time we’ve waxed poetic about BR’s suede trucker jackets, and it probably won’t be our last—as long as the brand keeps making ‘em, we’ll keep talking ‘em up. The suede is supple, the cut is just right, and the whole shebang looks a lot more expensive than it is. These days, though, they’re just the tip of the extra-supple, beautifully-burnished iceberg. If a trucker isn’t your vibe, try a very The Bikeriders-coded moto jacket instead.
Totable Upgrades
Like a top-shelf Riesling, a well-made leather bag should only get better with time. So if you’ll indulge the analogy for another moment, Banana Republic might be one of the snootiest sommeliers on the planet. Last year, the brand started rolling out a slew of drool-worthy suede luggage, from handsome duffel bags to compact totes to hard-wearing weekenders, and this season, they’ve doubled-down on the daily-drivers: totes, backpacks, and messenger bags. They’ll cost you a pretty penny, but they’re still a heckuva lot cheaper than they should be—and you can’t put a price on future patina.
Lightweight Title Contenders
There are few things better than a light jacket, and there are few companies making better ones than Banana Republic. Rain or shine, the brand has you covered with Bogart-approved trenches, cropped work jackets, double-breasted showstoppers, and easy shirt-jackets to protect you from the inevitable last gasp of spring just before July…because we all know that 60º in the summertime has absolutely nothing in common with 60º in March.
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