Banana Republic Fall 2006

[jun3machina]

i just saw the bags from this fall collection and i think they are really nice, perhaps nicer than last years bags, which were a nice start but very Bottega to me....and with various other sources... Yes, i went to the tanneries over in italy where dooney manufactures their leather ( as well as coach) but im a lil surprised that this is where BR gets their leather from as well. It is a rather small family owned factory, but im sure they're making a killing doing all three lable's leathers, as well as pissing off each one of the companies! (when i was there, the head of dooney, peter dooney, was a bit angry with the head of the tannery for doing more work for coach, and got into i a bit)

as far as the mulberry referance goes....yes, i can see a bit, but the leather quality is so much more different. whereas mulberry bags are fairly structured with structured design, BR bags have a softer leather that wears down to give a distressed look, but has structured shapes with the new fall collection, which i feel is perhaps the most successful point of this collection. I love the layering trend, but i think they did it with a bit of stuffy overkill with both the styling and the frumpyness of having everything as a basic classic. i never was all that impressed with the fit either, which is a shame because the prints and fabrics they choose for their collections are really nice.

 

[sleepy]

BR always looks nice online, but irl most of their stuff looks/feels just horribly. I cannot wear their pants because they are always too wide in the hip area. Their sweathers are nice, but after washing them a couple of times they change their shape. They have some cute jackets in the fall line, but the price and the cuts are almost identical to JCrew and, honestly, JCrew quality is way better than BR. I liked a lot of things from their fall collection, but in reality I liked only the leather jacket, the trench coat and the pencil skirt. Their bags are nice, but again I think they are a bit overpriced. Their skirts are just *horrible*. In the last 5 years, I bought 2 skirts in BR.

I really like quality of JCrew. They are a bit boring, but if you mix their stuff with some more fun things, the looks can be awesome. As somebody said before, Club Monaco actually has some decent and reasonably priced pieces, especially for fall.


Btw, what's happening with their sizing? I know for sure that I am not size 2, but both in Banana Republic and JCrew, I buy size 2 pants and size 0 skirts. That's strange. I recently bought JCrew jeans and I had to buy size 26, while I wear 28 with other companies.

 

[jun3machina]

its called vanity sizing and think it's ridiculous!

 

[thesiren]

there has been a qc issue with the banana tall boots already. the stitching is horrible and the zippers seem off somehow.

 

[cane eba]

I worked for BR as well and found that the really don't care about there own brand the own mangers we rather buy Gucci loafers than BR shoes. While The rest of the staff is pressured into pushing the brand. The company needs less Queens working for them as designers . I swear if I see another copy of something greater or a bias cut any thing I'm going to scream.They lost the ability to design but master the art of COPING.

 

[writergal28]

Well, BR's petite size sales have gone up, especially when compared to department store petite lines. But I guess you fashion people don't really give a hoot because we shorter people don't matter. Am I right? Because if we DID, there'd be more petite sizes that don't look like something an about-to-retire accountant would wear.

Thank you

 

[lucy92]

i get some petite items at banana republic,esp. pants. i think its great for petites.

 

[stilettogirl84]

But I guess you fashion people don't really give a hoot because we shorter people don't matter.

Don't generalize- I'm quite tall and have a very hard time finding pants and shirts that are long enough. All my shirts seem to hit about two inches above my wrist- and they are long sleeved shirts.

There's no conspiracy against you, it's just that stores cater to the "average" because it is a wider market to sell to.

it costs them more money to produce tall sizes and short sizes

 

[writergal28]

Don't generalize- I'm quite tall and have a very hard time finding pants and shirts that are long enough. All my shirts seem to hit about two inches above my wrist- and they are long sleeved shirts.

There's no conspiracy against you, it's just that stores cater to the "average" because it is a wider market to sell to.

it costs them more money to produce tall sizes and short sizes

It's actually more economical to make short sizes because there are more of us around. Also, many average people require short sizes because of proportion. So yes, there is a conspiracy, and I won't stop protesting until more changes are made.

 

[Erin]

It's actually more economical to make short sizes because there are more of us around. Also, many average people require short sizes because of proportion. So yes, there is a conspiracy, and I won't stop protesting until more changes are made.

More of you around? The average height, in the U.S., anyway is 5'4 for a woman... Conspiracy? Hmmm... Stilettogirl84 is right. It's easier to tend to the masses and the sizes that are most common. At least with shorter individuals, it is easier to hem/adjust the length/inseam of pants. Taller individuals, unfortunately, do not have that luxury. I'm not sticking up for their sizing, BUT, it makes sense to me.

 

[stilettogirl84]

At least with shorter individuals, it is easier to hem/adjust the length/inseam of pants. Taller individuals, unfortunately, do not have that luxury.

Too right! You can always have your pants hemmed if they are too long, but if I find some that are too short, well I can't very well do anything about it

 

[Diorling]

I went into Banana the other day. The only thing I was interested in was this grey washed velvet blazer, the quality was alright, wasn't worth the price tag, I opted for a black velvet Donna Karan blazer instead.

But that was the only thing that caught my eye. If I was given a spree at Banana Id be hard-pressed to find anyhing I want.

 

[writergal28]

More of you around? The average height, in the U.S., anyway is 5'4 for a woman... Conspiracy? Hmmm... Stilettogirl84 is right. It's easier to tend to the masses and the sizes that are most common. At least with shorter individuals, it is easier to hem/adjust the length/inseam of pants. Taller individuals, unfortunately, do not have that luxury. I'm not sticking up for their sizing, BUT, it makes sense to me.

Yes, there are more short and average people than there are super tall. In addition, not all "regular length" clothes can be hemmed easily or cheaply. Sometimes, alterations cost so much that you might as well not buy it. Really, the industry hates us. AND THAT NEEDS TO CHANGE.

Have you been to my site?

 

[pinksatin]

This thread interests me b/c i work there too. I used to work at one of the Honolulu stores but now I work in Indianapolis. It's sooo disappointing b/c the store here is a million times smaller and has much less selection of styles and sizes. They don't even carry shoes and intimates at this location!
Aside from those complaints, I'm actually really happy with the company. Take it for what it is. A chain retailer that offers some luxury goods at affordable prices. For the price points I think the quality is fine. I wouldn't buy everything we carry, but I don't have a problem finding some things that I like. I guess I don't have very high expectations so I'm usually satisfied with the products. And it's a pleasant surprise if they release something exeptionally nice here and there. ANd who cares if they copy. They are providing clothes for the masses with a little bit of selectivity. It's not a designer boutique.

 

[thesiren]

Because if we DID, there'd be more petite sizes that don't look like something an about-to-retire accountant would wear.

and shoppping at banana has you looking like what? carine roitfeld?

take a chill pill, doll.

 

[writergal28]

and shoppping at banana has you looking like what? carine roitfeld?

take a chill pill, doll.

Certainly not a frumpy middle aged woman. Short women shouldn't be banished to frumpy-land if they want clothes that fit their proportions.

 

[pasfoti]

Well, their new frgrance collection is great! I am particularly attratced to Alabaster. Rosewood is wonderful as well.

 

[thesiren]

gah, the fragrance is doing remarkably well!

alabaster, rosewood and black walnut are sold out at multiple locations, which is totally insane. alabaster smells really different, imho...the others are nice, but alabaster is so unique.