Banana Republic F/W 2012.13 New York

[lucy92]

Banana Republic presented a sharp Fall/Holiday 2012 collection to the press at the IAC Building in Chelsea. wsj.com

 

[Stereo_Flo]

By Brittany Adams

Day-to-evening dressing is hardly an original concept, but it's one that is particularly relevant for Banana Republic's practical yet polished customer who needs multitasking separates. At the Fall presentation last night, creative director Simon Kneen described the season as the time of year when women are perhaps returning from holidays and diving back into the hustle and bustle of their busy work and social schedules. They don't necessarily have the time or interest to decipher what's fashionable, so BR eliminates the guesswork, effectively repackaging the latest trends (the label has the big advantage of showing a month after the final Paris runways).

"It's all about the cropped trouser," Kneen said, gesturing toward the ankles on display. The best look included those cigarette pants, a slim turtleneck, and a double-face wool wrap coat—all done in au courant crimson. The label gets bonus points for the monochromatic color scheme. Other highlights included a selection of smart capelets trimmed in leather as well as faux fur pieces like a chubby vest cinched with a wide belt. Styled with tasseled clutches and broguish booties, the collection had an equestrian undertone. For the men, double-breasted car coats, shawl-collar sweaters, and tailored suits in heritage tweed and herringbone delivered a dapper message. All in all, it'll be difficult to go wrong with most of this lineup.

[HQs]​

​

style.com

 

[Stereo_Flo]

​

style.com

 

[Stereo_Flo]

​

style.com

 

[HeatherAnne]

I haven't purchased anything from Banana Republic in years: their materials all felt so cheap, the tailoring dowdy, and the prints uninspiring -- but this looks like a step back in the right direction from them. Still not excited about it, but it's better.

 

[lucy92]

^oh really? i buy a ton of banana stuff for work. only at 50% off or more however. you'd be a fool to pay full price at that store.

i dont like the horizontal seams on the front of those leather skirts. it cheapens it.

i like the houndstooth coat for women and the oxblood coloured items.

 

[Littleathquakes]

I worked at BR, so we got stuff for 50% with our employee discount. That was the only way they could get me to buy their stuff.

The quality is hit or miss, mostly misses. I have clothes that even when you dry clean, per the instruction, they would still shrink/fade/fall apart.