Thursday, September 9, 2010

Greatest Hits: Banana Republic, where Classic just never goes out of STYLE

If there's one brand that is timeless yet current, its Banana Republic. I've been a big fan of this brand ever since I bought my first dress shirt from them in 2002. I may not have that shirt anymore but I will never forget why I got it. Great quality. Excellent price point. And remarkable details such as the mother of pearl buttons, crisp collar and impeccable tailoring of the shirt.
This same attention to detail still remains today with all Banana Republic products. Its one of my favorite places to shop for those eternal pieces that look good today and 10 years down the road. As proof of that, my first Banana Republic wool trench is still in great shape after 8 winters. 

Since Fall and Winter is coming up, here are my top picks from Banana Republic.


Heritage Timeless Trench Coat: One can never go wrong with well crafted trench coat. The key things to look for in a trench are as follows:


- Fit.Give enough room in the coat to accommodate times when you're wearing a sweater. Make sure the shoulders (coat and actual shoulder) line up. 
- Fabric. There are two main types of fabrics used for coats. Wool works best if you have dry, cold winters. Treated Cotton are great for wet and cold winters. 
- Cut. Trench coats are slimmer now then they were before. For slim fellas, stick with a slimmer cut as opposed to the more traditional, boxier cuts of the trench coat.


Heritage Timeless Trench, $325
Heritage Shawl Style Cardigan: Nothing says warmth better than a nice, comfortable, classic cardigan. Knits are still a must-have this season, and this is worth getting if you don't already have one in your wardrobe. This versatile and character filled cardigan is one of a kind. You can practically dress it up or down, at work or after work. I love the shawl collar, the various shades of gray, and the coziness of this piece. Highly recommended!


Heritage Shawl Collar Cardigan, $158

The Denver Boot. Fall and Winter is never complete with a good pair of boots. Whether its a cowboy boot, a military boot, or a dress boot, you just need to have one in your shoe closet. Over the years, Banana Republic has expanded their shoe collection. "Driving Loafers" are ones that this brand makes really well. This season they brought back the Denver Boot. Once only available in-store, the boot is now available online. I love the softness of the leather and the comfort of the memory foam insole. Just like most boots in the market, this one is not water-repellent. Make sure to spray it with a silicone based water repellent spray which you can buy at your favorite shoe store.



Denver Boot, $160
These items are all available in store and online at http://www.bananarepublic.com 


Happy Shopping!

1 comment:

shoester said...

love the boot. definitely a must have! will drive to san francisco to check out the banana republic store there and hopefully they have it.