Banana Republic

[Matt Deckard]

I do like the fact that they are taking risks It's good to see a double breasted vest on the racks and something that looks a little more futuristic and less throwback... we need things that move us forward now and again. It's a cool suit though maybe not ready for the office, it's great for stepping out. Now that one on the far right is pretty good for the office.



I started a thread a while back about missing the old Banana though they have been reintroducing some of their old style safari products, the store is far from its past. It's still going after the young urban pro and seems to be hitting the mark, somewhere between H&M and Brooks Brothers. I tend to think of them as the new Sears when it comes to menswear. My father used to go to Sears for suits back in the days when Sears had a tailor on hand and sold Krupenheimer suits in their menswear department. I think today's young dads tend to go to places like Banana Republic in order to find that basic tog nowadays.

What do you think?

[Solid Citizen]

Long gone are the BR days of a wrecked jeep a their
entrance & wicker baskets holding Swiss leather ammunition
pouches.

For young career types is probably a less in your face salesman
experience than Jos. Banks or Brooks Brothers. Also @ BR you
have limited inventory to wade thru.

Solid Citizen

[ortega76]

I like the newer BR offerings. You're right- it's great to see someone taking a few risks instead of having the same cut found at a dozen other places. As a broader guy (I'm short and stocky bt not truly fat), I hate that I can't fit into very much at BR.

[MrBern]

As far as I know, banana republic has set up a higher end signature line called BR-MONOGRAM.
Theyve opened one MONOGRAM store in NYC, but no where else...yet.

As far as I know, its higher end, higher priced, italian fabrics & slimmer fit.

I assume this is to compete w/ the Brooks Bros Black Fleece store thats set to open in NYC.

[flat-top]

I like the Heritage line...much of it looks vintage.
BR pants however, are all too skinny and low waisted for my taste.

[thunderw21]

Not bad, I like how vests are making a comeback again (like they do every so often). One thing, though, that I don't like is the lapels are nearly on the top of the shoulders. Can't really seem them way up there.

[FRANKIE]

I actually got that double breasted vest a few days ago. I'd been looking for one for a while and couldn't find one for anything resembling a reasonable price. The BR one was still more expensive than I would have liked, but I'll be wearing it for a long time so I could deal with it. The fabric is lovely, too.

[Matt Deckard]

I have to say the one on the far right.... very Gold Finger!

[Geesie]

I do hope this sticks around (or cycles back around as the case may be) in 3-4 years when I can buy them!

[carter]

Harold's Men's Store is offering two vests this autumn.


Brook's Bros. http://search.brooksbrothers.com/?al...Men&u1=q&u2=t1 Is offering a Tattersall vest


Jos A Banks is offering two reversible tartan vests (as they did last year) http://www.josbank.com/IWCatProductP...oduct_Id=20278

There are more sites such as Paul Frederick Menstyle, etc. that offer vests. The three above seem to have nice items and I have personally shopped at each of them.