In Spades

Style... in abundance

Banana Republic is Back

Banana Republic Harbison skirtBanana Republic cardigan and skirt // Bottega Veneta boots and bag // Gucci sunglasses

I’ll never forget my first Banana Republic t-shirt.  It was classic 90’s – the safari era – a green logo outlined in gold.  Back then was the heyday.  A brand with the perfect mix of classic and contemporary, yet totally functional.  Adventurous.  Dare I say rugged chic.

This phenomenon rode a pretty great wave of success.  And then, just like its counterparts from the era, it stopped.  No more Depeche Mode Gap commercials, no more peak Jenna Lyons for J. Crew.  And no more core DNA, classic Banana.

What happened?

Like any great wave of success, it’s bound to come down eventually.  Mall culture shifted to e-commerce.  Indie brands garnered cult followings thanks to social media and celebrities.  And well, a lot of Banana’s customers simply grew up and on to different things.

From my perspective, I remember a period of time when the quality at Banana really went downhill.  And so for years, I avoided it.  Never stepped foot in a store I once use to frequent multiple times a week.

And then, late last year, I crossed that forgotten threshold.  I stepped foot inside a Banana Republic.  What I saw amazed me.  The designer collaborations – like this one from Harbison – were GOOD.  The fits were perfection.  Suiting that made me feel like it was tailored to my body.  Sumptuous, high-quality knits.  Exciting color palettes.  Banana is back.

If like me, you haven’t set foot inside a Banana Republic in ages, I urge you to return.  Guarantee you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Shop the Post

3 Wardrobe Staples for a Weekend Away

Marissa Webb top (similar here) // Banana Republic pants // Mimi & Red earring (similar here)
Toy Watch (similar here) // Giles & Brother bracelet // Gucci loafers (under $55 version here)

This weekend I’m heading back to the Midwest to visit family and have been thinking a lot about my packing routine.  Typically, packing takes me ages (I start packing for NYFW a month in advance), but some trips I have down to a science.  With spring being rather volatile – will it rain? be warm? – I find this time of year can easily send me staring blankly into my closet.  Thankfully, there are three key pieces I reach for again and again that can be interchanged no matter what the occasion: a classic white button-down, tailored pants and comfortable loafers.

If you were to look inside my closet, you’d probably be floored by the amount of white button-downs I own. Whether bow tied, French cuffed or tunic-shaped, I’ve got it.  It should come as no surprise that the one thing I want to buy from the Bloomingdale’s Friends & Family Sale is this shirt.  What I love about a white button-down is that it instantly conveys an element of class, without ever feeling boring.  If you need convincing, Carolina Herrera and Karl Lagerfeld have built their lifetime uniforms around this one piece of clothing.

While jeans tend to be a no-brainer for a weekend away, I like to pack one bottom that isn’t denim.  I’m a big fan of culottes, high waisted trousers and cropped pants for their versatility with any heel height.  These tie-waist pin striped pants were a find from Banana Republic’s Friends & Family sale, and are a great choice because they pack light, can be formal or casual and are oh-so-comfortable.

Finally, footwear.  Shoes take up the most room in a suitcase so I always go for a comfortable, flat pair in black or camel for maximum versatility.  No one wants to lug 4 pairs of shoes in a carry-on.  These Gucci loafers were an investment, but are hands down the best shoe purchase I’ve ever made.  Elegant yet easy, they go with everything and only get more comfortable with each wear.  For some great affordable alternatives, shop the post above.

What do you pack for a weekend away?