Banana Republic Fall 2006

[vintagegurl]

Excellent points softgrey!

 

[softgrey]

thanks guys......

and thanks for the karma.....

 

[lafilledanse]

I was an employee of Banana Republic for over a year, and I have to say their past couple collections have been disappointing. Although the discount is to die for, I didn't really use it as much as I could have the past couple months.

They are trying really hard to establish themselves as a high end brand name, but that is impossible to do with the name and background. They create quality products at a somewhat affordable price, but they are forgetting who their main consumer is. Last fall, they started a fine leather handbag line. The catch was the bags were made in the same Italian leather factories as Coach, but unfortunately, that's what the consumer is paying for...Coach. There is also a fine fragrance line in the works, but in all honesty, if someone is asking me "Oooh, you smell divine? What are you wearing?" I'd rather respond "Oooh Coco Mademoiselle" instead of "Banana Republic Classic." (Not that there is ANYTHING wrong with wearing Banana Republic Classic, it smells wonderful.)

I really love Banana Republic, but I think they should stick to what they are known for, great quality classics, instead of trying to be something they are not.

 

[Diorling]

The catch was the bags were made in the same Italian leather factories as Coach, but unfortunately, that's what the consumer is paying for...Coach.

So that was the corporate selling point? Same factories as Coach (where Dooney is made aswell) one SA told me that and I was like, "I hope youre not telling everyone that cause it sounds REALLY sad" It's even funnier to hear that he was told to say that...

 

[bedtimestorynyc]

i do NOT think Burberry is overpriced Banana, simply because, i see Burberry Prorsum show (and some Burberry london catalogs).. then after that I see the same thing (well, pretty much) in banana stores the next season.
i was talking about menswear at banana, cuz tha't what i am concentrated upon at work. womenswear is actually more intersting, and probably i would buy something if i was a woman (although it's still again, poorman's or in this case poorwoman's burberry).

i know they gear towards the main crowd who buy the stuff (duh!), and is used to it... and i DO agree they should stick with that. i say if you wanna gear towards younger and more hip audiences... it's more desirable to be original... just a tad more original!!!!

 

[lucy92]

i think the banana bags are trying go mimic kooba or mulberry.

if you can find petites the fit is OK. otherwise forget it. everything else is cut huge.

 

[em 692]

^ the darn vanity sizing

 

[Bluestar07]

More karma going softie's way for post #38!

 

[softgrey]

...

thanks !...

i'd say the bags were pretty much going after the mulberry look...

shall we talk about club monaco next ?

and who they are copying...?
or anthropologie?...
of h&m...?

...

we have threads about it in the shopping section...

 

[bedtimestorynyc]

everybody copies everybody... it's just banana's copying is more blatant

 

[Caffeine]

talking about Club Monaco, I actually found it a lot better than Banana Republic (at least to me). The cut is better and honest (in most of the cases...their sizes are not very consistent). They go after most of the "it" looks and make lower end yet quality products. The only drawback is that they don't offer many styles to choose from...but again I don't have a problem with it as long as they have nice things. Banana is like a production line with all kinds of things throwing at you, but Club Monaco is definitely more selective IMHO.
The reason why Banana is not doing quality basic is that Jcrew is doing the same thing. That competition is fierce. Based on what i heard Banana is trying very hard to differentiating themselves from brands like jcrew.

 

[*Happiness*]

BR has some good qualities...it's sort of hit or miss with me and BR.

 

[classic1908]

I was an employee of Banana Republic for over a year, and I have to say their past couple collections have been disappointing. Although the discount is to die for, I didn't really use it as much as I could have the past couple months.

They are trying really hard to establish themselves as a high end brand name, but that is impossible to do with the name and background. They create quality products at a somewhat affordable price, but they are forgetting who their main consumer is. Last fall, they started a fine leather handbag line. The catch was the bags were made in the same Italian leather factories as Coach, but unfortunately, that's what the consumer is paying for...Coach. There is also a fine fragrance line in the works, but in all honesty, if someone is asking me "Oooh, you smell divine? What are you wearing?" I'd rather respond "Oooh Coco Mademoiselle" instead of "Banana Republic Classic." (Not that there is ANYTHING wrong with wearing Banana Republic Classic, it smells wonderful.)

I really love Banana Republic, but I think they should stick to what they are known for, great quality classics, instead of trying to be something they are not.

There are a lot of good points in this thread. I haven't been shopping at Banana Republic as much as I want to. To me, a high point was 2004 S/S because of the colors (they did brights, which I love)
And they seem to be in a tricky position because they need to grow w/o cannibalizing the two major siblings (Gap and Old Navy; Forth & Towne is still too young yet to make an impact). I like the great quality classics thrust and wish they'd stick to it.

 

[classic1908]

Let me also exalt softie for #38.

 

[crow_watcher]

I've always favored Banana Republic's clothing line for its clean and designer end look to it. I know BR is more known for its browns, whites and netural colors and thats great. I would like to see more color schemes within the mens line of clothing. Especially have more available tall pants for someone who is 6'6" like myself meduim to slim build and long arms. They also should think about lowering the prices for some of the menswear. The average price for mens tall dress shirt is $78.

 

[peachikiti]

i work at banana, and their clothing line for the past few seasons have not been great at all. but the new fall collection is pretty nice! I am really petite(5'2 and 96 pounds) and i wasn't able to wear a lot of their clothes, but a lot of the fall sweaters actually fit me pretty well. they also came out with a new pants fit called the ryan fit which fits me perfectly. all their other fits are wayyyy to big. but yeah i was mildly suprised by their fall line, there is this one short trench coat that I am in love with a the moment and will probably get. I've noticed that the customers are really into the pencil skirt which have pretty much sold out at the store i work, in like 2 weeks. i personally am not really into pencil skirts though. I'm not really into their handbags either. expecially the fall line. it's not my style. i do really love their accessories and shoes though. BUT i would never buy their shoes at retail price, which is usually around a 130 dollars.
maybe it's because I'm a college student or i'm just used too their employee discount but most of their stuff seems a bit overpriced IMO.

 

[writergal28]

^^^

I think smaller people appreciate BR more than regular heighted and tall people because they have more choice. For us, decent looking clothes that are cut for our height are few and far between. I guess regular and tall people will never, ever understand and neither would the majority of the fashion industry.

-writergal28 (a petite activist and PROUD OF IT!)

 

[crow_watcher]

^^ I understand your point when it comes to high end fashion. However, I've been noticing a growing petite selection with online shopping/department stores e.g., jcrew.com, anntaylorLOFT.com, Bloomingdales.com

 

[Caffeine]

^what a great discussion! the problem for the petite pants is that they are too short. With 5'4" border line petite height and a habit of wearing 3-4" heels, petite just doesn't work on me. Besides, BR's petite are not necessarily narrower, they are just shorter

 

[writergal28]

^^ I understand your point when it comes to high end fashion. However, I've been noticing a growing petite selection with online shopping/department stores e.g., jcrew.com, anntaylorLOFT.com, Bloomingdales.com

ATL and AL have petites at their stores (some), but ATL and AL don't exist where I live (Canada). I would also like to see more petites available IN REAL STORES, not just online, which is the only place you can get J.Crew petites (they used to be available in select stores, but this shut down around 2002 or 2003).