Once more for the people in the back: Banana Republic is really good now. What started out as a would-be fluke—one standout season doesn’t always engender another—has gradually become a linchpin of the mall brand renaissance. Along with its galleria neighbors at Abercrombie, J.Crew, and Madewell, Banana Republic has plumbed the depths of its archives, surfacing a treasure trove of retro-indebted gems that look spot-on in 2024. Dusty-hued knits in luxe silk-cashmere blends? Check. Languorous pleated trousers with just the right amount of nubby texture? You bet. Suede jackets so luscious they make you look famous through sheer proximity? A wildly emphatic YES.
In other words, the mall stalwart that reigned supreme in the early aughts still has it going on. Over the last few years, Banana Republic took a cultural temperature check and busied itself with updating the pieces that made it a household name, with an eye on appealing to the next generation—or, at least, the one that grew up alongside the retail juggernaut and now has adult paychecks to spend. Practically speaking, that means nixing the less exciting business casual basics in favor of surprisingly groovy button-ups, louche Italian-sourced tailoring, and a seemingly endless array of handsome leather accessories.
So if you’ve been longing for the days when you could drive down to your local mall and leave with a haul worthy of a TikTok explainer, rejoice: Banana Republic is back like it never left. Here’s everything the brand does best.
The Banana Republic Shopping Guide, by Category
Swanky Knits
Whether you’re clinging to fond memories of wearing a Banana Republic sweater to middle school picture day or are just looking for a rugged knit that complements your raw jeans, the mall stalwart has you covered in C-suite fashion—on a cubicle budget. Between the kitten-soft cashmere turtlenecks and the slinky cotton V-necks, the worst part of the brand’s revamped selection is choosing just one.
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 every permutation imaginable. From long-sleeve cashmere joints that put the sweater in sweater-polo to silky short-sleeve riffs ready-made for the eventual spring thaw, any one of the below will break you out of your style rut without breaking the bank.
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.
Swervy Shirting
If you’ve been wearing the same rumpled oxford shirt every day this week….stop it. Mix it up! More specifically, mix it up with the help of BR’s surprisingly varied assortment of button-ups, which includes the hardy flannels and sturdy work shirts the brand is known for—and, these days, a few ridiculously luxe pure silk riffs.
Rugged, Retro-Doused Outerwear
Surprise blizzards aside, once spring really hits it’s time to ditch the puffer. To maximize your layering, throw a denim chore coat beneath a topcoat now, and then nix the extra layer when the temperature climbs above 50 degrees. Rain or shine, Banana Republic has you covered with Bogart-approved trenches, cropped work jackets, and enough tweed to protect you from the inevitable last gasp of winter just before March.
Megawatt Leather Jackets
This isn’t the first time we’ve waxed poetic about BR’s suede trucker jackets—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 cowhide iceberg. If a trucker isn’t your vibe, try a very Masters of the Air-coded aviator jacket instead.
Luscious Luggage
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. 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.
Read the full article here
