Bush Jackets

I do so miss the old Banana Republic stores. Back in the mid-1980s I’d make a special trip once a month or so... just for the ambiance and the day dreaming. I was a starving student so it was a huge splurge to buy anything there. And, oh, how I’d repeatedly page through those wonderful catalogues. I wish someone would revive the concept. Bush jackets, safari hats, cool military surplus stuff from odd places. Yuppie exoticism, sure. But it was fun.

 

Certainly a hundred times better than anything they sell in their stores now.

 

I wish I'd been around to see the old Banana Republic. It sounds like a cross between the local army surplus and the local travel wear shop.

I recently bought a TAG safari coat. I was wearing it to an appointment with my doctor (who is Afrikaner). She asked how I'd purchased it, she was surprised that such a product was available online, and that I was so willing to pay 100+ for it (the jacket was relatively inexpensive, but the shipping jacked up the cost).

I also have safari coats from the GAP, HBC and one from Princess Auto (they have a great surplus section). For hunting season I have several sets of BDUs.

For me, the nearest thing is (a three hour drive away) Bass Pro or Cabelas. Where else can you buy fudge, a camo onesie for my nephew and a case of 7.62x39 Soviet surplus ammo, still in the crate.

But yeah, I would have liked to see the old BR. I have a tee shirt from BR, purchased several years ago, it's basically a branded tee, there is nothing special or unusual with it, but it definitely is from the newer years.

C.

 

The old Banana Republic was glorious....who doesn't like a wrecked jeep in the front window?

 

Whoa! Look what I found. "Abandoned Republic." Clever name.

https://www.secretfanbase.com/banana/

Here is their classic Safari Jacket page:

https://www.secretfanbase.com/banana/jackets/#gallery/3f33935c3a49da3da982e4d0e9a614d9/306

Banana Republic, we miss you!

 

Cool site....thanks for the links!

 

I have several TAG shirts and a safari coat. They are great quality! I wish they were softer but I can deal with it. Perfect clothes for a Texas summer.

 

So I bought a WPG bush jacket, and since I'm a size 46 and 5'11", I decided to follow the advice I found in the reviews and other places on the internet and bought a 48L. Well it's HUUUUGGGEEE on me, and I washed it with hot water and used the dryer on its hottest setting and it didn't shrink one bit. So I'm not sure if it's the current batch or what, but I'll probably be ordering a 46R, because it really is a nice jacket. (If anyone's interested in the 48L drop me a line).

On a related note, I did venture out to Disneyland for "Adventureland Day" last Sunday, and wore my old Beretta Kalahari jacket. I forgot how comfy it was! Too lightweight and thin for real bush use, but it's nice for casual wear.

 

Classic. Great look!

By your excellent attire, it looks like you might be a candidate for joining the Agents of F.L.A.S.K.:

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/the-agents-of-f-l-a-s-k.84107/

 

I don't know who makes this one but it has the style perfectly.

 

About this photo: Mrs Tiki and I were having lunch out on the patio when the sky clouded-over and it began to get cool. So I ducked in to get a jacket. When I returned, Mrs Tiki exclaimed “Look who has come to lunch! It’s Jonathan Quayle Higgins III! Did you bring the lads with you?”
To which I responded: “My god, Magnum! Have you been dipping into Robin’s wine cellar again?”


I guess there is always a risk of over-doing the khaki. Here is the real Jonathan Quayle Higgins III:

 

I think is this jacket: https://thearmoury.com/blogs/journal/the-armoury-x-ascot-chang-safari-jacket
Very nice looking indeed, but its price doesn't suit me as the jacket surely would...

 

Tilley, right?!

 

Correct! I have owned it for something like 25 years and it is still in great condition. Almost indestructible. Pockets galore, including interior security pockets and a long interior pocket specifically made for those old airline tickets of a bye-gone age. Old school. Has reinforced stitching at the corners of the pockets. Very well made. It is my "go to" travel jacket to this day. A couple of years ago I visited the Tilley website and, regrettably, they were no longer making this classic version.

 

I thought so, I have the same jacket, which I picked up used a few years back. I really like the tunnel for the belt to slip through, which is much more secure than just a couple of thin belt loops at the side. Like you say, it's basically indestructible.

 

Doc Damage, I agree with all you say and especially about the “belt tunnel”. It definitely makes the belt more practical and not fussy at all. And, of course, the other great feature of the Tilley is its “give ‘em hell” washing instructions. Bring it home, toss it in the washing machine, and don’t worry about it at all. Fantastic. None of that “dry clean only” business. In June I’ll be traveling and I’ll definitely be wearing that jacket to the airport.

 

One would be a good thing to keep an eye on eBay for. I have a zillion pocket, wrinkle free sports coat from TravelSmith that is perfectly practical but lacks the style of the Tilley.

 

Absolutely. There is no excuse for charging that much for a simple safari jacket just because it has Ascot Chang's name on it.

 

I recently sold an old Banana Republic safari jacket which was much more refined than my Tilley but yeah it was the sort of thing you'd have to launder carefully not just toss in with the whites and forget about it. On a whim, brought on by this conversation, I took a fly on a Tilley like the one below, which has some odd breast pockets, plus an elastic back instead of a belt. Hopefully it's good when it shows up. Same heavy "who cares" cloth.

 

That Tilley that I posted about above arrived and sadly it's too short in the sleeves for me. My other Tilley, which has a belt but is otherwise very similar, is plenty long in the sleeves. Both are size Large, so go figure. I'll have to sell this elastic back jacket sadly.