For those that haven’t checked GQ.com recently, Banana Republic is, quite simply, very good again. There are multiple reasons for the brand’s resurgence, but the short version goes like this: a couple of years ago, the big-box retailer started mining its storied archive, embraced the styles that made it a household name in the first place, applied some of the world’s finest fabrics to those exact styles, and proceeded to drop a whole slew of them every season since.
These days, the brand shows no sign of easing up. Looking for some Rat Pack-worthy polos in surprisingly luxe blends? Banana Republic has you covered. Voluminous pleated trousers with just the right kind of drape? Ditto. Summer knits that will age infinitely better than the weekend decisions you make while wearing them? A seemingly endless supply, each rendered in more dazzling fabrications than the last.
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Luxurious Knits
We’ve been consistently impressed with Banana Republic’s knitwear program and it’s undoubtedly among the best things that the brand has to offer. Spring and summer saw a handful of cotton and linen heaters, a handful of which you would have spotted on a few GQ staffers. This time around, it’s all about cashmere, merino, in all manners of styles from brushed knits that Cobain would’ve crushed to thick-gauge crewnecks and turtlenecks begging to be taken to a ski lodge.
Armani-Adjacent Trousers
If you worship at the altar of ‘90s-era Armani, you could expend a lot of energy tracking down the real deal on the vintage market—or you could just scoop a pair of BR’s relaxed pleated trousers, which feel steeped in the Italian maestro’s louche swagger. Banana Republic still makes plenty of down-the-middle chinos, but its selection of dressier pants might be its most compelling foray into capital-M Menswear.
Pitch-Perfect Polos
We like knit polos, you like knit polos, Jacob Elordi really likes knit polos. And so does Banana Republic, which sells a murderer’s row of ’em in basically every permutation imaginable. From long-sleeve cashmere-silk joints that feel exactly like you’d imagine that combination would feel to one of the most robust collection of short-sleeved linen-forward options on the market, there’s really no wrong turn to be made if you’re trying to break of a style rut—and virtually none of them will break the bank.
Fall-Flavored Shirts
While we loved Banana Republic’s cadre of lightweight linen shirts for spring and summer, we might love their beefier fall shirting even more. Think of fluffy brushed flannels, sultry corduroys and burly denim, all packaged together in an autumnal variety pack that can pack in some serious flavor for your cool-weather fits. The only bad thing about Banana’s collection of fall shirts is that you’ll want to show them off, even when the weather calls for you to layer up.
Megawatt Leather Jackets
This isn’t the first time we’ve waxed poetic about BR’s suede trucker jackets, and it probably won’t be our last—as long as the brand keeps making ‘em, we’ll keep talking ‘em up. The suede is supple, the cut is just right, and the whole shebang looks a lot more expensive than it is. These days, though, they’re just the tip of the extra-supple, beautifully-burnished iceberg. If a trucker isn’t your vibe, try a very The Bikeriders-coded moto jacket instead.
Savvy Tailoring
As the buttoned-up big brother of Gap, Banana Republic’s got a slate of suits and tailoring well worth considering for your next wedding, if not adding into your existing tailoring roster. With an emphasis on renowned Italian fabric mills, BR boasts some of the best bang-for-your-buck when it comes to tailoring. You won’t find Savile Row levels of suiting here. But you will find that the gap between the two is smaller than you’d expect.
Drama-Packed Outerwear
One of the greatest joys of dressing has to be outerwear. It’s the first layer people see and effectively the first impression, so it’d better be a memorable one. It’s a good thing Banana Republic has an all-star collection of head-turning outerwear. With billowy macs, blizzard-busting peacoats, and sheepskin joints that would easily fit into Bane’s wardrobe, the mall stalwart can flip your fits from banal to paparazzi-worthy.
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