Banana Republic Fall 2006

[Luxx]

If you go to Banana Republic.com there is a video of their new Fall collection. It features a few well known models (Vlada, Trish Goff, Carson Parker, etc.) and a wide range of clothing that reminds me of offerings from other designers. A little bit of Marc Jacobs here, a little A.P.C. there, a whole lot of Ralph Lauren and a bag that is an identical copy of the Mulberry Elgin. Not to mention their rip off YSL belt.

That said some of it is very promising. Their capelet looks very cute (I've already added it to my Fall shopping list along with a grey coat with bell sleeves worn by Trish), the coats/blazers are beautiful and there is quite alot of volume, which I found unexpected given that I associate BR with a very prepster look. I feel this is a little bit of a departure.

How does everyone feel about this collection? I feel its very nice for what it is, mid range, reasonably priced, low key clothing. Its not exactly exciting but I think there are lots of good basic pieces and that's what I think BR is about. I do wish the color pallate wasn't so terribly drab. They could have thrown in a bit more color given that Fall colors are IMO the very nicest. All those rich deep jewel tones to play with and they go with drab, drab, drab.

Either way I feel as thoug there has been a marked improvement in quality for BR and its sister company Gap this past season. I wonder what the reason for this is, if anyone could shed some light on it I'd appreciate it.


To watch the video go to:
http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/home.do?cid=5001

 

[xxjean]

I think almost every outfit looks perfect! Thanks for the video!

Do you know who the designer at the end of the video is?

 

[J'aime_la_mode]

I really liked a lot of the pieces. It made me long for fall...

 

[scandinavianchic]

Really reminds me of the Aviator

 

[Deleted member 7575]

Either way I feel as thoug there has been a marked improvement in quality for BR and its sister company Gap this past season. I wonder what the reason for this is, if anyone could shed some light on it I'd appreciate it.

The company has had a difficult time establishing BR as a higher end label. It's association with the lower Gap and Old Navy brands hasn't helped. I believe in order to curtail their slow descent into mass market retail boredom they are propping themselves up to compete with brands like Kenneth Cole and BCBG rather than Express or J.Crew. They have their work cut out for them. It still reeks of American redundancy to me. The show had some nice looks for women but in stores it can still be a bit bland, especially the menswear.


Gap has been struggling along for years now, it's lost a lot of business to Abercrombie and it's spin off Hollister. Their simple/casual look wasn't profitable with recent trends (bohemian, hipster/retro, nantucket/jock). They are trying to regain their status as being a fashionable and hip label (which to seems almost impossible at this point). H&M is becoming stiff competetion. You used to be able to rely on the Gap for cute but affordable clothing, it's gotten lost in it's conventions and the quality has turned me off, it's just too generic.

Old Navy racks in the money because it offers mass market trends at a very very cheap price.

 

[LostInNJ]

The company has had a difficult time establishing BR as a higher end label. It's association with the lower Gap and Old Navy brands hasn't helped. I believe in order to curtail their slow descent into mass market retail boredom they are propping themselves up to compete with brands like Kenneth Cole and BCBG rather than Express or J.Crew. They have their work cut out for them. It still reeks of American redundancy to me. The show had some nice looks for women but in stores it can still be a bit bland, especially the menswear.

I think that was the problem J. Crew was having as well...I saw a coat that was to retail for over $1,000 and I couldn't ponder spending that kind of money on a single item in J. Crew, however, I think they have began to make a clear separation between lower-end brands. As far as the clothes being bland in the stores, I think it's up to the buyer to wear it creatively...That goes for any store really, whether it's H&M, Gap, or Express.

 

[LilyBird]

The company has had a difficult time establishing BR as a higher end label. It's association with the lower Gap and Old Navy brands hasn't helped. I believe in order to curtail their slow descent into mass market retail boredom they are propping themselves up to compete with brands like Kenneth Cole and BCBG rather than Express or J.Crew. They have their work cut out for them. It still reeks of American redundancy to me. The show had some nice looks for women but in stores it can still be a bit bland, especially the menswear.


Gap has been struggling along for years now, it's lost a lot of business to Abercrombie and it's spin off Hollister. Their simple/casual look wasn't profitable with recent trends (bohemian, hipster/retro, nantucket/jock). They are trying to regain their status as being a fashionable and hip label (which to seems almost impossible at this point). H&M is becoming stiff competetion. You used to be able to rely on the Gap for cute but affordable clothing, it's gotten lost in it's conventions and the quality has turned me off, it's just too generic.

Old Navy racks in the money because it offers mass market trends at a very very cheap price.

interesting point...I do like BR though, the quality is quite nice and the prices tend to be moderate as well.

 

[Deleted member 7575]

I think that was the problem J. Crew was having as well...I saw a coat that was to retail for over $1,000 and I couldn't ponder spending that kind of money on a single item in J. Crew, however, I think they have began to make a clear separation between lower-end brands. As far as the clothes being bland in the stores, I think it's up to the buyer to wear it creatively...That goes for any store really, whether it's H&M, Gap, or Express.

J.Crew is going deep in to the high end market, I saw a gown that was 1,200! I'm sure it was a lovely dress but the brand just doesn't have the recognition to command those prices. It's working on it though.

One of the problems with the Gap, Express, and BR is their clothing are cut very democractically, so unless you are shaped like a bell their clothes aren't fitted. It works out well for fat Americans, but in terms of making fashionable clothing, they have to try a little harder. I can't shop at these places simply because something is either overly styled or soooo generic and bland. I'm speaking of menswear of course. J.Crew is making a switch towards more fitted clothing, and their quality is pretty decent (GAP's is just terrible).

 

[ilaughead]

Clothes were all tax-free this weekend for my state, so naturally, I went the mall like everyone else. And I usually set pretty low standards for all mall stores, but I was really starting to like Banana Republic, especially their fall line. But then I saw a cashmere-blend sweater I really liked. But I picked it up and the thing looked like a huge square. I'm always a size small, and when stores make their fits so humongous, it really makes me angry.

In short, I think Banana Republic needs to improve their fits (I can only speak for their menswear, however) and then they can focus on more style-conscience elements.

 

[Erin]

^ Hey, a fellow Iowan! Well, I grew up in Iowa, anyway... I remember tax-free weekends...

I really like Banana Republic. I bought some fabulous pieces for Spring, but have yet to set foot into their stores to view their fall collection.

 

[stilettogirl84]

I really liked this- there were a lot of things there That I really can see myself wearing, and I probably will end up getting!

and they really seemed pretty "on-trend" too

I could see Influences of Prada, YSL, Marc Jacobs- admittedly, a lot of that was the styling, but There were some really cute peices too.

 

[Luxx]

Images:


Firstview

 

[Luxx]

Firstview

 

[thesiren]

i work at banana.

the clothes are always very nice online/in lookbooks, but usually mediocre irl. things we've gotten in lately have horrible stitching and awkward fits.

 

[Luxx]

Firstview

 

[Diorling]

I adore thier fall menswear line, it is definately a departure. What Im thinking is some of the Project Runway winners (who won a job w/ BR for the first two seasons) are definately influencing thier look.

It's still not quite what Im looking for anymore, it is just missing the details and cutting. They have the WORST denim line this side of Express Men, it's horrid. I do like that one jacket the second look in the 13th post, though it will be a little boxy.

I LOVE that quilted jacket in 15, wow...

 

[Caffeine]

i work at banana.

the clothes are always very nice online/in lookbooks, but usually mediocre irl. things we've gotten in lately have horrible stitching and awkward fits.

totally agree. the fit is terrible. I stopped shopping at BR two years ago. I can't buy things from BR and run to my tailor to spend more than what I just did on the garment.

 

[wheneveriwakeup]

the styling is awesome, but i have to agree, the clothes leave little to be desired IRL. still though, there is gem in BR every so often.

 

[pasfoti]

totally agree. the fit is terrible. I stopped shopping at BR two years ago. I can't buy things from BR and run to my tailor to spend more than what I just did on the garment.

That is exactly what I thought! They look nice on line and on ads, but the fit and materials... Even their basic Ts are not as good as before.

 

[Caffeine]

^I can just imagine how many pins they use to make the pictures nice models, don't turn!!!