Does the Classic Hold Up?
When I got my first real job out of college (high school teacher), I decided it was time to ditch the ratty old clothes I’d been wearing to class and upgrade.
I hit up Banana Republic with a small budget and went wild. If I remember correctly, I got three pairs of pants and three shirts. It was insane.
And I wore those pieces to death.
It’s about seven years later now, and I’ve learned so much more about men’s clothing in the interim.
So when I had a chance to review the BR, I couldn’t pass it up. It’s like a trip to the motherland.
Are they still capable of cranking out hits? Keep reading and find out with me.
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What Is Banana Republic?
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Banana Republic is the high end brand under the GAP umbrella. While GAP is awesome for basic staples, Banana Republic is where you go if you want to tread more into a “fashion forward” wardrobe.
The history of the brand is pretty kooky, too. Originally founded by two San Francisco based reporters in the late 70s, the brand started as Banana Republic Travel & Safari Clothing Company.
The owners stocked up on pieces from their trips abroad as correspondents and eventually became known for their unique cosmopolitan style.
Today, you’ll find Banana Republic stores all over the globe, with over 500 in the US alone. I think I have three within a 50 mile radius, and you probably do, too.
If you shop with Banana Republic online, you can get free shipping and returns when you sign up for their loyalty program.
Banana Republic is going back to their roots with a re-brand, and focusing on the adventure focused clothes they became known for back in the 70s (but still modern, of course).
Banana Republic
Banana Republic has been around forever (that should tell you something right there).
In general, guys who are looking to step up their wardrobe and try a variety of different clothes are pleased with Banana Republic.
Shop Banana Republic
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Banana Republic Review
Slim Organic Traveler Chino
Banana Republic has been slinging chinos for longer than I’ve been alive, so I had to pick up one of their classics.
The Organic Traveler Chinos are made with Italian fabric from organic cotton (98%) with just a bit of added elastane stretch for comfort and flexibility.
There’s a huge variety of sizes, from 28 to 44 with inseam lengths from 28 to 34, not including the “tall” versions as well.
That’s one of the biggest benefits of shopping with a brand like Banana Republic—they’re always stocking a massive selection of sizes that can be difficult to find with other boutique brands.
I love the feel of these chinos.
And I’ve had rough luck with chinos over the past few years.
It seems like there’s been a trend toward technical performance fabrics for chinos, and while the idea is nice, they just don’t hold up.
The Traveler Chino has a nice weight to it, so the pants have sufficient thickness to them to look classy, but they’re still lightweight and flexible for comfort.
My only gripe is that the leg opening is a bit wider than I prefer. A more tapered leg below the knee would go a long way in making me taller and slimmer. As someone with larger thighs and glutes, it’s really important to have a narrow leg opening as too much room below the knee can make me look bottom heavy.
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It’s an easy fix for me (a simple tailor operation), but it’s worth noting if you also have wider hips or larger legs.
Otherwise, the Traveler is my ideal chino—the flex in the hips makes them super comfortable, but the fabric also has enough thickness so I feel like I’m wearing something substantial.
As someone who regularly wears jeans, the fine organic cotton fabric is welcome.
Banana Republic Slim Organic Traveler Chino
he Traveler Chino has a nice weight to it, so the pants have sufficient thickness to them to look classy, but they’re still lightweight and flexible for comfort.
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Linen-Cotton Chore Coat
The Linen-Cotton Chore Coat is the perfect transition layer between summer and fall (but it’s also going to work throughout fall here in North Carolina because it stays pretty warm until late November).
While it looks like a pretty heavy piece online, it’s much lighter than I expected.
Because it’s made with linen, it stays breathable and it’s an excellent casual piece.
The 53% flax linen and 47% cotton blend fabric feels soft and the sleeves have an effortless look to them when you roll them up. Paired with the Linen Henley (more on that below), this is a fantastic combo.
True to the chore coat style, this piece features one deep set breast pocket and two front patch pockets. There’s even a hidden pocket in the front right to keep your phone secure (which comes in handy more often than you’d think).
While I’m normally a large for tops, I picked up the chore coat in medium because these types of shirts tend to be bulkier. I’m happy with my choice, as the chore coat fits well in the shoulders and stays relatively slim through the torso.
The indigo color is deep and rich, which makes it a very versatile option. You can dress it up with chinos or crisp jeans, or play it casual with shorts or light wash jeans.
This Chore Coat has quickly risen in the ranks to become one of my favorite pieces in my wardrobe.
I have to fight the urge to wear it too often because it’s a fantastic piece that layers and pairs well with just about everything.
(At the time of publishing, the Linen Cotton Chore Coat is sold out. This is my second chore coat from Banana Republic, and I can vouch for all their over-shirts. Check out their selection below.)
Linen Henley T-Shirt
I also picked up two of Banana Republic’s Linen Henley Short Sleeve T-Shirts.
I love the relaxed vibe of a henley, and how it has a little more to it than a standard tee.
These henleys are made with 100% linen, so they’re super light and breathable—excellent for the end of summer and beginning of fall.
One thing to note on these—I ordered a size L (I’m 6’1” and 200lbs), and when I first tried the shirt on, it was much too large. But after a wash, it shrunk down to what I consider a perfect fit.
The seams are all flatlock, which helps keep the inside smooth and comfortable—sometimes linen shirts can catch your body hair at the seam so it feels like you’re being tugged at all day, but that’s not the case here.
These have a solid amount of structure in the shoulders and seem to drape nicely across the chest. I’m always worried about linen losing its shape, but the quality of this particular fabric is spot on, meaning it’s held up well through several washes.
Overall, I’m a fan of these henleys—the color and texture makes for an excellent summer piece that will transition into fall well.
What do Other Reviewers Say About Banana Republic?
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Banana Republic has been around forever (that should tell you something right there). In general, guys who are looking to step up their wardrobe and try a variety of different clothes are pleased with Banana Republic.
A lot of reviewers mentioned hitting up BR for more upscale clothes after getting their first job (exactly what I did), so if you’re looking for a wardrobe upgrade, you’re not alone.
My Thoughts Overall On Banana Republic
What I Like
- The linen line is all made with excellent quality materials—the shirts feel great and look rich.
- The Chino slim fit leaves plenty of room for someone with larger thighs, but they still have a modern and classy look.
- They offer free shipping and free 45-day returns and exchanges.
- The subtle design choices in the linen chore coat make it one of my favorite pieces in my wardrobe.
What I Don’t Like
- The Slim Traveler Chino has a wider leg opening than I prefer—I’d like more taper below the knee.
Who is Banana Republic for?
Banana Republic is an excellent choice if you’re looking to give your wardrobe an overhaul and step up your style game with a few coordinated outfits.
The Verdict
It’s been a few years since I shopped with Banana Republic.
They outfitted me with some of my favorite pieces back when I started my first real job as a teacher.
And after buying a few more outfits from the brand, I’m reminded why I should shop them more often.
The Linen Cotton Chore Coat is one of my new favorite pieces in my wardrobe. The Linen Henley T-Shirts are the perfect late summer/ fall transition pieces and helped me break out of the “summer plain t-shirt” rut I was in.
The Organic Cotton Slim Traveler Chino is sturdy, flexible, with a modern fit. That means they’re comfortable, I don’t have to worry about busting them open when I bend over, and they look good.
Overall, I’m happy with what I picked up from Banana Republic, and I’ll be keeping an eye out for their future styles, too.
Banana Republic
Banana Republic has been around forever (that should tell you something right there). In general, guys who are looking to step up their wardrobe and try a variety of different clothes are pleased with Banana Republic.
Shop Banana Republic
If you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
FAQs
What is Banana Republic known for?
Banana Republic is known for their higher end casual and business casual pieces. A lot of folks swear by their jeans, but I get the most compliments on their overshirts.
Is Banana Republic a good brand?
Yes, Banana Republic makes quality clothes with excellent fabrics and solid construction techniques.
Are Banana Republic jeans good?
While I only own one pair of Banana Republic jeans, I’ve had them for several years and they’re still just as structured as they were the day I bought them. I say, yes, Banana Republic jeans are good.
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Banana Republic goes back to its roots with new brand identity
An article from
Dive Brief
Published Sept. 8, 2021
By
Tatiana Walk-Morris
Courtesy of Banana Republic
Dive Brief:
- After years of underperformance at Gap, Banana Republic announced on Tuesday that it is revamping its brand identity to focus on «democratic, approachable and inclusive luxury.
» Launching on Sept. 28, the company’s new positioning is reflected through a campaign dubbed Imagined Worlds, which «reflects Banana Republic as it was originally conceived—a fictitious territory—a far-away and unknown place that is part of explorers’ folklore and adventurers’ lore.» - As part of the effort, the company is creating new product stories for its physical stores and digital channels, and refreshing its product designs and fabrics, according to a company press release. The brand’s Fall 2021 New Look campaign, which debuts Sept. 7, features work and casual attire with an emphasis on leather and suede, along with Italian Merino wool, silk, shearling and cashmere.
- Banana Republic is modernizing its physical stores across the U.S. to align with its new identity through hospitality, styling services, revamped store design and «elevated merchandising.» It also aims to create a more immersive experience across its digital channels using inspirational imagery, videos and music.
Dive Insight:
Banana Republic is going back to its roots with this brand refresh. Early this year, Banana Republic hired Ana Andjelic to serve as its chief brand officer, and now Andjelic is working to redefine the brand’s positioning around some of the elements it originally became well-known for. The New Look collection launching this fall seeks to blend nostalgia and contemporary aesthetics, Andjelic said in a statement.
«Call it post-genre fashion. Or call it post-fashion altogether: The New Look is less about fashion and more about living. To get there, we mixed the mythical American look, San Francisco imagination, and the late 1990s,» Andjelic said in a statement. «Keywords are utilitarian chic and modern casualwear. Safari meets tuxedo, formalwear meets casualwear, menswear meets womenswear, vintage meets tailoring, functionality meets imagination.”
Banana Republic has struggled at Gap over the years, generally overshadowed by Athleta and Old Navy.
Compared to 2019, Banana Republic and Gap’s sales dropped by 15% and 10% in Q2, while Athleta and Old Navy’s sales increased by 35% and 21%, respectively. It didn’t help that the COVID-19 pandemic curbed demand for some of Banana Republic’s core offerings as consumers pivoted to comfortable clothing.
Both Imagined Worlds and The New Look bring Banana Republic back to its travel and safari roots, notably more casual than its recent offerings — and are meant to redefine how the brand thinks about fashion. «Like Shangri-La, Middle Earth, Westeros, or Wakanda, Banana Republic is an imagined world,» the company said in its release. «This invented, dreamlike brand world is a springboard to redefine fashion, design, activism, sustainability, and creativity.»
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Marketing
Coffee belt, dusty cauldron, banana republic: deciphering 7 geographical metaphors
TravelingHistory
To describe certain phenomena associated with certain regions and territories, a person tends to use metaphors that are not always clear, and over time can change their meaning.
«Around the World» tells what lies behind several well-known and not very «geographical» metaphors.
- Photo
- incamerastock / Alamy via Legion Media
Coffee Belt
Country List
South & Central America: Brazil, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Guatemala, Honduras, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, El Salvador , USA (island territories and California), Trinidad and Tobago, Ecuador, Jamaica.
Asia and Oceania: Vietnam, India (partial), Indonesia, China (partial), Laos, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Philippines.
Africa: Angola, Burundi, East Timor, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Yemen, Cameroon, Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Rwanda, Sierra Leone , Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Central African Republic, Ethiopia.
- Photo
- Aaroh/Shutterstock/Fotodom.ru
Why is it called
Coffee, like cocoa, can grow only in a certain climate, and repeated attempts to cultivate these plants outside a clearly defined zone have not been successful, difference, for example, from tea.
If we mark all the listed countries on the globe, the globe will indeed turn out to be “belted”: 25 degrees north latitude. and 30 degrees S — that’s the whole «belt». A couple of kilometers north or south of these borders — and the coffee tree will not take root.
The Coffee Belt is a humid equatorial zone with a stable average annual temperature of around 20°C, balanced sun and rainfall, and fertile soils. The absolute leader in coffee production is Brazil: it accounts for about a third of the global market. For many African countries, the export of coffee beans is a key source of income.
Interesting fact
In the center of the coffee belt, in the region of West Africa, there is a kind of “Robusta zone”: an area where mainly Robusta coffee is grown (whereas Arabica is more common around the world). Robusta seems to be valued less, but it has a lot of fans — a drink from grains of this variety usually turns out stronger. This variety is actively grown in some Asian countries.
Fertile Crescent
List of modern countries
Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Turkey, Cyprus.
Fertile crescent on the map showing the territories of ancient states
- Photo
- Nafsadhderivative work Maxrossomachin, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons seas.
The term was introduced and popularized at the beginning of the 20th century, in the wake of worldwide interest in cultural studies and archeology, by the American scientist James Henry Breasted.
He studied the ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian cultures and asked himself a logical question: why did the earliest great cultures appear there in the first place? According to him, the rise of civilizations between the Nile, Tigris and Euphrates was made possible by the ideal climate for agriculture — and it was there that the Neolithic revolution took place at one time.
Interesting fact
These days, the countries of the Fertile Crescent are the first to suffer from the climate crisis, and the metaphor becomes purely historical. By the middle of the 21st century, the use of the phrase «fertile crescent» to these territories risks becoming a paradox.
Dust Bowl
List of Territories
States Wyoming, Kansas, Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Texas, South Dakota.
The aftermath of a dust storm in South Dakota, 1936
- Photo
- Wikimedia Commons
Why is it called
The American Great Plains got its name both for its amazing size and exceptional fertility.
For decades, families have acquired ranches here and have begun to prosper in the first generation: they plowed the fields, grazed cattle, and sometimes harvested several crops a year. By the 1930s, the reckless use (if not torturing) of the soil led to disaster: for several years, a horrendous drought reigned in a dozen states, accompanied by endless dust storms.
The once rich farmers became impoverished in one or two seasons and fled westward to the shores of the Pacific Ocean in the hope of finding work there. Mass migration exacerbated the crisis by prolonging the Great Depression, but helped agriculture: the soil gradually recovered, the dust storms ended, and the US authorities then imposed protective restrictions on land cultivation.
The story of the dusty cauldron is brilliantly portrayed by John Steinbeck in The Grapes of Wrath, written almost like a hot pursuit report, and by Christine Hannah in the recent novel The Four Winds, which can be called a look from the era of the climate crisis.
Still from The Grapes of Wrath (1940)
- Photo
- Masheter Movie Archive / Alamy via Legion Media
Interesting Fact
Country musician Woody Ghuth is considered to be the Dust Cauldron Singer in American culture. His album Dust Bowl Ballads (1940) became a major musical bestseller of the era and gave blues and country a new impetus to develop. Without The Dusty Bowl Ballads, there would be no Johnny Cash, no Nobel laureate Bob Dylan, and yes, yes, the most popular singer ever to come from country, Taylor Swift.
Banana Republics
Indicative list of countries
Asia: Bangladesh, Laos, Maldives, Philippines.
Africa: Botswana, Ghana, Zambia, Nigeria.
Central and South America: Guatemala, Honduras, Cuba, Chile.
Oceania: Tuvalu.
- Photo
- Sébastien Lecocq / Alamy via Legion Media
Why is it called
The term was coined by the writer O’Henry to describe how Honduras and neighboring countries became economically dependent on the United States, or rather, even on the firm United Fruit Company and its covetous owners (Kings and Cabbage, 1904). Obviously, bananas were the main export item of such countries, which did not grow in the USA.
Later, an additional connotation was added to the term: a banana republic is not only and not so much a country that supplies bananas or other fruits, but a territory that is ruled by a corrupt dictator and is economically dependent on a single resource. This resource can be anything: for example, since the 1990s, the island state of Tuvalu has been selling websites on the .
tv domain, which is readily used by numerous Western TV channels. Interesting fact
The best description of this economic phenomenon in literature was given by the Colombian writer Gabriel García Márquez in his most famous novel One Hundred Years of Solitude (1967). On the example of the fictional Macondo, in fact, the whole history of Latin America, and many other states, unfolds in the 20th century.
The Great Silk Road
List of modern countries
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, India, Iran, China, Mongolia, Turkey.
The Great Silk Road in the 1st century AD e.
- Photo
- Kaidor, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Why is it called so? «the road to the East) until the era of the great geographical discoveries.
Many different goods were transported along this caravan route, but, perhaps, it was Chinese silk that was the most valuable of them throughout the entire history of the route.
When sea routes to Asia were opened, the role of the Great Silk Road declined sharply. At the same time, it cannot be said that it was safer or faster to get to Europe from China by sea and vice versa, but it was definitely possible to bring more cargo safe and sound.
An interesting fact
It may seem to us that since the time of the Great Silk Road, mankind has made a dozen technological leaps, including in terms of transport and logistics, but the sea route, which replaced the caravan route in the 16th-17th centuries, remains the key one today .
In the 2020s, since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, humanity is experiencing a tremendous logistical crisis, and in 2021 we saw how fragile all transport chains are when container ship Ever Given ran aground in the Suez Canal. Ideas to return a land-based alternative, albeit without camels, were also discussed against this background.
Tobacco Road
List of territories
US states of Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Shot from the film Tobacco Road (1941)
- Photo
- Moviestore Collection Ltd / Alamy via Legion Media
Why
is called that? US farmers.
In Tobacco Road (1932), he showed how a farming family from Georgia, which was practically left on the sidelines of the big economy, survived the Great Depression: they no longer harvested their own tobacco crops, but only watched the trucks go to the tobacco factories.
Tobacco Road, filmed in 1941, has become a symbol of industrialization for American readers and viewers: growing something yourself has ceased to be profitable, it is easier to get a job at a tobacco factory.
Interesting fact
«Tobacco road» in English was called not only the territory of the two Carolinas and Georgia, but also a trail in the mud, which is left by rolling barrels of tobacco.
The rolling of such barrels in terms of labor intensity and dirtiness is somewhat reminiscent of ship transfers depicted by Ilya Repin in the painting “Barge haulers on the Volga”. Bermuda Triangle
List of Territories
Bermuda, Miami (Florida, USA), San Juan (Puerto Rico).
- Photo
- WindVector/Shutterstock/Fotodom.ru
Why is it called
The Sargasso Sea area really resembles a triangle in shape with vertices at the three indicated points. Traditionally, it is associated with anomalies and mysterious disappearances of ships and aircraft: for example, especially zealous experts counted several dozen mysterious incidents in this zone that took place in the 20th century. They are explained by violations of the laws of nature, the impact of UFOs, and even the existence of the legendary Atlantis at the bottom of the ocean.
However, it seems that this is just a good metaphor, because the number of accidents in the Bermuda Triangle is on average comparable to their number in other areas of the oceans of the same area. It’s just that they didn’t come up with the same sonorous names.
Interesting fact
There is another triangle in geography — Polynesian. It unites Hawaii, New Zealand and Easter Island. Here, however, there are no particular anomalies: the term is used to emphasize the cultural kinship of the indigenous peoples of these remote territories.
Alexander Akulinichev
Tags
- Geography
- history
- travel
What is a banana republic. Let’s explain in simple terms — The Secret of the Firm
Simply put, is a depressed, backward state with a resource-based economy, which is completely dependent on export earnings.
At the same time, exports themselves are often controlled by foreign investors or TNCs, they also influence the authorities in the country. Most of the inhabitants of such a state live below the poverty line, state institutions practically do not function, and export earnings go to corrupt government officials, oligarchs and people associated with them.
Initially, the term described the plight of a number of individual countries in Latin America, but over time it became a household word. Now the expression «banana republic» is most often used in a pejorative sense, as a symbol of the inferiority of the economy and the corruption of power. This is the name of any country where the government acts in the interests of a certain group of people and does not care about other citizens.
At the same time, a country with a low level of corruption, but with excessive dependence on one sector of the economy, can also be called a banana republic.
Usage example on «Secret»
«Russia — banana republic , and I don’t understand what kind of economy we are talking about at all.
We harvested bananas — we dance, crop failure — we cry. (Founder of the financial pyramid MMM Sergei Mavrodi — about the Russian economy in the 1990s.)
History
The expression «banana republic» has an official author — the American writer O. Henry. In the satirical novel «Kings and Cabbage» of 1904, he described the Latin American country of Anchuria. This is a poor state, whose population suffers from poverty and unemployment. The government of Anchuria decides practically nothing — it is completely dependent on a large foreign carrier of exotic fruits. All officials take bribes and act in the interests of this company.
Anchuria had its own prototype — at that time O. Henry lived in Honduras. He described the state of most of the Latin American republics from nature.
It all started when, in 1870, Captain Lorenzo Doe Baker brought the first large batch of bananas from Jamaica to the United States — he sold it with a 1000% profit. Cheap and delicious tropical fruits have gained immense popularity.
