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]

Banana BOAT Republic

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]

monogram

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]

Men's Vests

Harold's Men's Store

is offering two vests this autumn.

Brook's Bros. http://search.brooksbrothers.com/?a...f=0&search.x=15&search.y=11&t1=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/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=&pcount=&Product_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.

 

[MK]

.

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?

Only if the dad is a stick figure. Having said that....I like the direction.

A good start. Keep going BR and you might get there.

 

[Geesie]

As a stick figure, I definitely approve of the direction they're going.

So those patterned vests above... what would you all wear with those?

 

[Matt Deckard]

Corduroy trousers with the heavier earth-tones.... depends on the vest. There are a lot of options for the odd attire. I do see vertical patterned dark vest mixed with the vertical patterned dress pants as a bad combo.

 

[Wolfmanjack]

Brook's Bros. http://search.brooksbrothers.com/?a...f=0&search.x=15&search.y=11&t1=Men&u1=q&u2=t1 Is offering a Tattersall vest

I'm disappointed to see Brooks passing this off as a "Tattersall vest." The classic tattersall waistcoat (derived from fox hunting attire) is a solid cream flannel with a blue/maroon, brown/mustard or olive/brick overplaid, four pockets, usually sans lapels. See illustration below left:

The classic tattersall waistcoat is hard to come by nowadays, found only in shops specializing in English equestrian duds.

Here is a tattersall waistcoat offered by Calcutt & Sons, Ltd. http://www.calcuttandsons.co.uk/acatalog/Gents_Tatt_Waistcoat.html

It is very poorly described. Has anyone seen one of these? Care to comment on the quality?

 

[carter]

In their defense, they did not label the vest as "classic" and they did describe it as "lapelled". Perhaps they could have used better terminology but at least they are offering something that may be of interest to some of their patrons.

 

[Forgotten Man]

something that looks a little more futuristic and less throwback... we need things that move us forward now and again.

If you ask me, if they had more "throwbacks" then suits would really look good! If going forward means wearing suits with low waisted pants and belts hanging below the vest; then color me confused! And fabrics made of lighter then air construction, I'll stick with moth eaten "throwbacks" thank you! You can throw your throwbacks at me if you'd like!

And no matter what you mugs think; jeans with blazers or wool vests is just a very lazy look to me. I just don't understand.

 

[Matt Deckard]

I'm considering the moving forward as high waisted pants.

 

[Forgotten Man]

Well, maybe you do but, the majority of today's manufactures I'm sad to day don't share your vision.

When I look at those photos of men wearing those banana suits, they seem to fit poorly, there is too much break at the hem, and they seem off balanced… not to mention the lack of a fuller cut in the pants.

I like suits to be balanced, and I haven’t seen balance in suits since the 30s or 40s fashions.

 

[Matt Deckard]

Though it's better than what they had a few years ago... ill fitting khakis and t-shirts that say Banana Republic on the chest

 

[Mr. Rover]

J.Crew is also making some nice retro-inspired offerings this season. They also opened up a menswear boutique-esque store called the Liquor Store in Manhattan.