Love love love Banana. Even before the rebrand, their quality has been amazing. I have many pieces that are 10-15 years old and still in such great condition!
Banana did a major overhaul with their brand. They closed about 100 stores or so, but then redirected those costs towards better quality clothes and new design team.
when did that happen? they were just part of the crappy OldNavyGAPBanana continuum for decades (although I remember quality when they were brand new, but that didn't last long)
Their clothes have been hit and miss for me… The knitted linen t-shirt I bought new a year ago has large holes in the under arms and several small holes in the body of the shirt, but the cotton twill and linen weave cotton shorts, as well as the poly cotton t-shirt I bought second hand still look practically brand new.
It's really difficult to find lined wool trousers now, which is ridiculous because of course they itch. Lining them used to be standard, even for cheaper brands.
I buy trouser slips, like a pair of pajama pants, which I wear under all my wool trousers. It’s better, because the slip material is a bit stretchy, so you don’t get the binding which sometimes happens with the attached lining, and also you can wash them every wearing. I even snip out the lining of the pants itself! I wish that women’s trousers would be made with a two piece waistband joined at the back, like men’s are, as it makes tailoring the waist much easier.
Banana Republic is legit. I have a stunning cotton tea dress from them and it fits like a designer dress. I only wear their dress shirts, and my dad has worn their shirts as long as I can remember.
I really love the quality of cotton on, they have affordable organic cotton and their ribbed shirt shirt and 100% cotton jeans have been in my closet for years! I would love to see u review them even tho they are not a high end brand and more of an affordable brand Edit: 8months since my original comment and some new jeans I got from cotton on had the button pop off! The quaility in their jeans has definitely declined since in the last year. Their ribbed tees are a good deal when you can get them for less than 10 on sale but honestly u might be better off shopping casual shirts from thrift stores instead did paying full price
i was considering shopping from cotton on but didn’t know if buying basics from them would be a rip off like with H&M or Forever21 so i’ll def check them out now
@Bella-kk4go cotton on for sure is a winner. My brothers buy basics there and have kept them for years now. They're larger than my sisters, so they give them to the girls as they grew but some of the shirts are still there. It's the girls that wear the clothes out 😂 Art aupplies and lip balm stains or holea from nails 😅 but the guys keep most of thwm so long and it's still confusing how the whire are still whiting
Unfortunately since cotton on has gone international there quality has declined. They used to be were I went for all my basics. now a top doesn’t last more than a season. It’s a real shame
I checked out cotton on around my place, and the quality is just the same as regular T-shirts.. I don’t understand the hype. The designs are also ugly. I ended up not buying anything
Thank you for reviewing Banana Republic. I have a super casual wardrobe but I like to have the ability to order BR online when I want a more spendy investment piece, even if it's a casual piece.
I love BR I bought a warp skirt from them when I was 20 and it still is beautiful 20 years later the fabric never pill and it was a classic then still a classic now. I love their fabric, cut and classic designs. There was a time when their men’s sweaters were much better in terms of natural fabrics … more wool cashmere and cottons while their women’s had more synthetics. If you don’t mind a boxy fit a men’s sweater is also cheaper.
Can you do one of these videos for JCrew and Madewell? Also, can you expand on why Zara is not a good store to shop at regarding garment quality? Btw I LOVE your videos!! They are very educational about being mindful of what you’re buying and see past the aesthetic
I’d love to see one on jcrew.. they have definitely been revamped in the last 5 years and I haven’t shopped there since then but I’d love to hear how they’re doing now. I still have multiple pea coats I bought 20 years ago that are in great condition and extremely well made.
I found a pair of Banana Republic dress pants at the thrift store and I wear them nearly every day! They are my favorite! So comfy and well made! I definitely will be looking for more professional pants from them.
Banana republic is great, I bought a cable knit sweater in a flea market in London back in 2016 don't remember if it was new with tags or second hand but still to this day looks brand new, it's wool and not itchy at all
I like BR but it’s hard to find in Europe, there are just selected pieces available online where I live. I do appreciate the petite sizes which is my main interest in the brand. One of my best thrift store finds was a wool BR coat, like new, for 16 Euros!
Oh my gosh, since I've been watching you, I've been looking at fabrics, and I love sweaters! When I see a high percentage of acrylic, I look away 😅 lol
i’m so late to this but something i wanna add: i got pieces i loved here at ages 18-19 because i wanted to be a grown up girly… but i HIGHLY recommend waiting until you grow up into your 20s body AND 20s pay! buy pieces that will last and fit for a while (to the best of your ability)! and always remember to thrift wearable clothes you don’t need!
When I worked at Banana many of the finance and office people worked there for the employee discount I have stuff from 15 years ago I haven’t shopped banana in a while but the old quality was 10/10
They've gone back to their original quality. I had BR clothes for work that lasted for years despite a lot of wear. Quality declined for a while but now I'm glad to see they are back.
I love your channel and i always watch your videos when they pop up on my for you page but i shop second hand because i can't imagine paying more than ten dollars on a shirt
The quality did drop around 15 years ago and they started using synthetic materials and I stopped shopping there. They rebranded and are back to the quality fabrics they used to have.
Never pay full price for BR. It’s always on sale on line, and if it’s not, wait a week. It’s also one of my most frequently spotted brands at the thrift store in the blazers&dress pants etc sections. Their basic styles are so timeless, save some money and look for them on the cheap!
I've always loved BR and find such great stuff there. quality has always been v solid, great materials, their garments are absolutely worth the investment.
Wait I never would’ve thought to shop here and I’ve been building a business casual wardrobe from scratch. (For context, I’ve been in the army for 9 years and have not had to wear anything other than my uniform.) Thank youuuu for posting this!!
Thank you so much for this valuable review! I bought wool trousers and a white linen blouse several years ago when visiting the city of Dubai and I still have and wear both items. They are still in good condition.
My one gripe with BR is that their sizes are giant for some reason. Like a size 0 from ten years ago is probably equivalent to triple 0 nowadays (at least where I live)
True... I bought a size 4 dress there and it is huge haha. Old Navy/Gap/BR have big sizes overall, it's the only place where I'm still a 0-2 or children's sizes.
The unlined WOOL pants absolutely kill me. Please do a review on a place with lined pants. I can’t with BR anymore. I’d rather pay a little more for the lining. lol
Def cheaper fabrics there. Not much wool and def no silk. Still some cotton blend but def more synthetic fabrics in use there. I hope she does a video on it too!
i can confirm! i bought a suit there 5ish years ago and it has held up really well. its 99% wool, 1% elastane on the outside and lining is part polyester, viscose, and nylon. I only wish the pants were a bit stretchier to accomodate my slight weight gain 😅
I found a 65% wool blazer at goodwill, good stitching and a soft liner with good shoulder pads but doesn’t have the flap in back for movement but still a great find for 7 bucks
I find a lot of BR stuff at thrift stores. I'll go into a BR stores to figure out my size and style preferences and then go to the thrift stores to get the same things 60-90% cheaper 👌
I have a few pieces from BR - and let me tell ya that compliments never stop! Even when I got 20 pounds bigger due to some health issues - I still looked amazing in the outfits for BR. Love them!
I only shop their outlet clothes. The quality is down 80% since C*vid. It is really, really terrible. But, i'm glad to see their more pricier line is holding up well.
I feel like no big brands are lining their trousers these days. I don't understand where to find nice trousers that are lined without having them custom made.
The problem with banana is that their sizing is so inconsistent. In the same purchasing season and same style of pant ive worn up to a 2 size difference. Tops can be too big for something labeled small then be too tight in the chest.
No. I’m a sewist and clothing lover, and as a guide, if a garment says “dry clean ONLY,” you should dry clean it. If it says “dry clean,” you may be able to wash it (the brand just doesn’t want to figure it out or be liable). Anything that’s 100% a natural fiber can be hand-washed and/or washed on delicate in a mesh laundry bag: wool, cashmere, silk, linen, cotton, etc. (minus leather and suede, of course). Use Woolite or another extra gentle detergent when you’re washing delicates. Sometimes a garment is labeled dry clean because washing it could ruin the shape, like a blazer or something with a lot of fussy details, pleats, etc., or anything that would be too difficult to press or iron back to its original shape. And if you’re handwashing at home, always hang it or lay it flat to dry. You can install these retractable clotheslines in your laundry room for exactly this purpose. A lot of damage is actually done to delicate fibers in a dryer more than a washer. But always Google it and use the gentler method if you’re not sure. Some garments even get better with hand washing. Cashmere in particular “blooms” and becomes even softer and a little fluffier after you’ve washed it. But you only need to wash sweaters every several wears-maybe even only once or twice a season if you don’t wear them next to the skin.
This woman has made me a smart shopper. I don't shop much but now if I like something, I check each and everything. Btw, is she still allowed in malls because of her honest opinions? 🤣
Idk I have some BR pieces and the threads keep breaking or pulling, I have a whole hem that came undone on one pair of pants and a hole in a shirt. I’ve honestly given up on BR, despite their really good sales
Love love love Banana. Even before the rebrand, their quality has been amazing. I have many pieces that are 10-15 years old and still in such great condition!
Banana did a major overhaul with their brand. They closed about 100 stores or so, but then redirected those costs towards better quality clothes and new design team.
Shhhh....don't tell them their stuff lasts 😊
My BR stuff is great.
BR has gone back to the basics and the quality is now superb.
when did that happen? they were just part of the crappy OldNavyGAPBanana continuum for decades (although I remember quality when they were brand new, but that didn't last long)
Their clothes have been hit and miss for me… The knitted linen t-shirt I bought new a year ago has large holes in the under arms and several small holes in the body of the shirt, but the cotton twill and linen weave cotton shorts, as well as the poly cotton t-shirt I bought second hand still look practically brand new.
It's really difficult to find lined wool trousers now, which is ridiculous because of course they itch. Lining them used to be standard, even for cheaper brands.
My theory wool pants never itched and I have the most sensitive skin!
I buy trouser slips, like a pair of pajama pants, which I wear under all my wool trousers. It’s better, because the slip material is a bit stretchy, so you don’t get the binding which sometimes happens with the attached lining, and also you can wash them every wearing. I even snip out the lining of the pants itself! I wish that women’s trousers would be made with a two piece waistband joined at the back, like men’s are, as it makes tailoring the waist much easier.
Agree, super disappointing. Brands cutting costs and cutting corners. I have these pants though and they're not itchy.
They do itch. So maybe your skins not that sensitive@@FairyRosee_
silk long johns!
Banana Republic is legit. I have a stunning cotton tea dress from them and it fits like a designer dress. I only wear their dress shirts, and my dad has worn their shirts as long as I can remember.
I really love the quality of cotton on, they have affordable organic cotton and their ribbed shirt shirt and 100% cotton jeans have been in my closet for years! I would love to see u review them even tho they are not a high end brand and more of an affordable brand
Edit: 8months since my original comment and some new jeans I got from cotton on had the button pop off! The quaility in their jeans has definitely declined since in the last year. Their ribbed tees are a good deal when you can get them for less than 10 on sale but honestly u might be better off shopping casual shirts from thrift stores instead did paying full price
i was considering shopping from cotton on but didn’t know if buying basics from them would be a rip off like with H&M or Forever21 so i’ll def check them out now
@Bella-kk4go cotton on for sure is a winner. My brothers buy basics there and have kept them for years now.
They're larger than my sisters, so they give them to the girls as they grew but some of the shirts are still there. It's the girls that wear the clothes out 😂
Art aupplies and lip balm stains or holea from nails 😅 but the guys keep most of thwm so long and it's still confusing how the whire are still whiting
Unfortunately since cotton on has gone international there quality has declined. They used to be were I went for all my basics. now a top doesn’t last more than a season. It’s a real shame
@@arianap2109 yes, my friend who worked there told me they threw bulks of unsold clothes away.
I checked out cotton on around my place, and the quality is just the same as regular T-shirts.. I don’t understand the hype. The designs are also ugly. I ended up not buying anything
BR factory is my go-to for gifts. I can’t afford their regular prices but factory has the same high quality materials that I can swing 😅
BR has always been that place to shop. Absolutely love their quality and style. Top notch for men and women.
I always find good secondhand Banana Republic. Will have to hunt for new !
I always shop at Banana Republic Factory. It's their sale version of the store so you can get quality items for a good price!
BR is AMAZING quality. Still have great pieces from 12yrs ago
i actually found my prom dress here, it was 100% silk and still holding up beautifully for formal events a decade later!
The older I get the harder I simp for BR. They have not missed for me yet.
I love that you discuss these topics my friends always thought i was crazy when i would try to explain craftsmanship, not just labels
Thank you for reviewing Banana Republic. I have a super casual wardrobe but I like to have the ability to order BR online when I want a more spendy investment piece, even if it's a casual piece.
I absolutely love the construction & tailoring of BR. The rebranding is amazing. One of the very few medium range wear that still delivers quality
I love BR I bought a warp skirt from them when I was 20 and it still is beautiful 20 years later the fabric never pill and it was a classic then still a classic now. I love their fabric, cut and classic designs. There was a time when their men’s sweaters were much better in terms of natural fabrics … more wool cashmere and cottons while their women’s had more synthetics. If you don’t mind a boxy fit a men’s sweater is also cheaper.
Babe you dont start your videos apologizing for your appearance…you’re always stunning!
Can you do one of these videos for JCrew and Madewell? Also, can you expand on why Zara is not a good store to shop at regarding garment quality? Btw I LOVE your videos!! They are very educational about being mindful of what you’re buying and see past the aesthetic
I’d love to see one on jcrew.. they have definitely been revamped in the last 5 years and I haven’t shopped there since then but I’d love to hear how they’re doing now. I still have multiple pea coats I bought 20 years ago that are in great condition and extremely well made.
Zara's cut often misses if you have curves ie big thigh or big chest
She just reviewed J Crew
I love finding BR in thrift! It really is good quality and style
I'm so glad I found your channel. I'm trying to upgrade my wardrobe to well made clothes that won't break my banks account ❤️
BR suiting is very well made, and their sizing (small shoulders) is why I shop at this store.
I found a pair of Banana Republic dress pants at the thrift store and I wear them nearly every day! They are my favorite! So comfy and well made! I definitely will be looking for more professional pants from them.
Crazy hair?! 😭 looks good girl!
Crazy hair?! Where? girl you are stunning! ❤
Love this brand! I have items I bought over 15 years ago and they are as good as new
I always wear BR to work and AX on Fridays haha. BR are great work cloths comfortable and reasonable priced IMO.
the hair looks good!!
Banana republic is great, I bought a cable knit sweater in a flea market in London back in 2016 don't remember if it was new with tags or second hand but still to this day looks brand new, it's wool and not itchy at all
I have a few older coats secondhand, 5th year looking semi untouched. And god knows how many more times they've been worn before I bought them
I like BR but it’s hard to find in Europe, there are just selected pieces available online where I live. I do appreciate the petite sizes which is my main interest in the brand. One of my best thrift store finds was a wool BR coat, like new, for 16 Euros!
I exclusively thrift and banana republic has accidently became my entire work wardrobe
I didn’t know quality like that existed any more. Very very nice.
Banana amazed me with their kids clothing. Everything is so beautiful with lots of details
Oh my gosh, since I've been watching you, I've been looking at fabrics, and I love sweaters! When I see a high percentage of acrylic, I look away 😅 lol
i’m so late to this but something i wanna add: i got pieces i loved here at ages 18-19 because i wanted to be a grown up girly… but i HIGHLY recommend waiting until you grow up into your 20s body AND 20s pay! buy pieces that will last and fit for a while (to the best of your ability)! and always remember to thrift wearable clothes you don’t need!
don’t wait to buy nice clothes if you don’t have to, just buy more affordable options in the mean time!
I have 15+ year old items from BR in great condition. Even some plain t-shirts I have had for almost a decade are still holding up well.
Banana’s designers have been consistent the last few years. Nice
I worked there for a holiday season back in college. Their clothes are very good quality.
When I worked at Banana many of the finance and office people worked there for the employee discount I have stuff from 15 years ago I haven’t shopped banana in a while but the old quality was 10/10
I went into Banana Republic yesterday and was shocked at how amazing everything was. I’m obsessed 😍
I got Br shoes when I was about 16 and they still fit me perfectly 19 years later. Good quality brand.
They've gone back to their original quality. I had BR clothes for work that lasted for years despite a lot of wear. Quality declined for a while but now I'm glad to see they are back.
I love your channel and i always watch your videos when they pop up on my for you page but i shop second hand because i can't imagine paying more than ten dollars on a shirt
I grew up with banana republic it’s a good investment it’s expensive but the clothes last forever
That’s crazy I always thought of them as a fast fashion brand I guess not
Nope, they're not
Seriously!? They have been around for over 40s years
@@Ash2theBthat has nothing to do with wether they’re fast fashion or not, though 🤔
They are the same company as Old Navy and Gap
The quality did drop around 15 years ago and they started using synthetic materials and I stopped shopping there. They rebranded and are back to the quality fabrics they used to have.
Never pay full price for BR. It’s always on sale on line, and if it’s not, wait a week. It’s also one of my most frequently spotted brands at the thrift store in the blazers&dress pants etc sections. Their basic styles are so timeless, save some money and look for them on the cheap!
I have a few blouses and a skirt from them and I love them, they really are great pieces
I love finding old BR at the thrift. Good quality stuff for sometimes less than $5 a piece!
I love my 3! Banana skirt suits!
I really love BR!
Girl what crazy hair
I buy from BR outlets a lot (they have insane sales) and their jeans are super comfortable and come in a variety of sizes!
I worked there when I was 18-20. I always wanted to afford to shop there one day. Even their outlet makes quality clothing
BR factory is my favorite place to shop for clothes lately
I have this blazer and I love it! Currently on sale :) The pants are not itchy. Vasto Relaxed Italian Wool Suit Jacket
This is the third video of yours that I have watched. I have learned so much from you. Definitely subscribing right now.
I've always loved BR and find such great stuff there. quality has always been v solid, great materials, their garments are absolutely worth the investment.
Wait I never would’ve thought to shop here and I’ve been building a business casual wardrobe from scratch. (For context, I’ve been in the army for 9 years and have not had to wear anything other than my uniform.) Thank youuuu for posting this!!
Thank you so much for this valuable review! I bought wool trousers and a white linen blouse several years ago when visiting the city of Dubai and I still have and wear both items. They are still in good condition.
My one gripe with BR is that their sizes are giant for some reason. Like a size 0 from ten years ago is probably equivalent to triple 0 nowadays (at least where I live)
True... I bought a size 4 dress there and it is huge haha. Old Navy/Gap/BR have big sizes overall, it's the only place where I'm still a 0-2 or children's sizes.
It washes well
This is interesting since Gentleman's Gazette said BR is only C tier in his 54 suit brand tier list.
The unlined WOOL pants absolutely kill me. Please do a review on a place with lined pants. I can’t with BR anymore. I’d rather pay a little more for the lining. lol
I’ve heard Banana Republic Factory is lower quality but I don’t know why. Can you do a video on BRF / outlet stores?
Def cheaper fabrics there. Not much wool and def no silk. Still some cotton blend but def more synthetic fabrics in use there. I hope she does a video on it too!
Cheaper fabrics but still constructed well. Imo a good value especially when they’re having a sale. Especially for basics and accessories
Omg I JUST BOUGHT THAT JACKET AND PANT SUIT. im so happy i made a smart purchase 🥲
I bought a cardigan there 20 years ago and it’s the only piece I have that old that looks exactly the same
Lol I have this blazer. As soon as I saw it I snapped it up quick !
Surgeon's cuff, quality
i can confirm! i bought a suit there 5ish years ago and it has held up really well. its 99% wool, 1% elastane on the outside and lining is part polyester, viscose, and nylon.
I only wish the pants were a bit stretchier to accomodate my slight weight gain 😅
Banana is nice even Thrifted
I found a 65% wool blazer at goodwill, good stitching and a soft liner with good shoulder pads but doesn’t have the flap in back for movement but still a great find for 7 bucks
I tried on this brown plaid blazer too and I totally agree with you!
I find a lot of BR stuff at thrift stores. I'll go into a BR stores to figure out my size and style preferences and then go to the thrift stores to get the same things 60-90% cheaper 👌
are those surgeons cuffs???
Well for those prices, I should think so too
BR had been bad for a while; looks like it’s recovering. The unlined trousers is still absolutely ridiculous.
Off topic- but I routinely spend 5+ hours to get my hair to look like that.
Some of us wish
Have you done R W and co? I’d love to see a review of them!
Functional sleeve buttons 🤌🏻
I have a few pieces from BR - and let me tell ya that compliments never stop! Even when I got 20 pounds bigger due to some health issues - I still looked amazing in the outfits for BR. Love them!
I only shop their outlet clothes. The quality is down 80% since C*vid. It is really, really terrible. But, i'm glad to see their more pricier line is holding up well.
BEST QUALITY JACKETS IS THEORY
I feel like no big brands are lining their trousers these days. I don't understand where to find nice trousers that are lined without having them custom made.
my FAVORITE STORE is timeless..
BR is hit or miss for me. I have cashmere sweater that has lasted 5 years and still looks good but their jeans were garbage on me, kept falling down
My fat ass keep on imagining ice-cream when I heard BR. 😂
I just can't get over the name
The problem with banana is that their sizing is so inconsistent. In the same purchasing season and same style of pant ive worn up to a 2 size difference. Tops can be too big for something labeled small then be too tight in the chest.
BR makes very good clothes, better than some luxury.
N00b question: do you need to dry clean all of these clothes?
No. I’m a sewist and clothing lover, and as a guide, if a garment says “dry clean ONLY,” you should dry clean it. If it says “dry clean,” you may be able to wash it (the brand just doesn’t want to figure it out or be liable). Anything that’s 100% a natural fiber can be hand-washed and/or washed on delicate in a mesh laundry bag: wool, cashmere, silk, linen, cotton, etc. (minus leather and suede, of course). Use Woolite or another extra gentle detergent when you’re washing delicates.
Sometimes a garment is labeled dry clean because washing it could ruin the shape, like a blazer or something with a lot of fussy details, pleats, etc., or anything that would be too difficult to press or iron back to its original shape. And if you’re handwashing at home, always hang it or lay it flat to dry. You can install these retractable clotheslines in your laundry room for exactly this purpose.
A lot of damage is actually done to delicate fibers in a dryer more than a washer. But always Google it and use the gentler method if you’re not sure. Some garments even get better with hand washing. Cashmere in particular “blooms” and becomes even softer and a little fluffier after you’ve washed it. But you only need to wash sweaters every several wears-maybe even only once or twice a season if you don’t wear them next to the skin.
I love BR. But my current wardrobe is more…relaxed 😅
Women you can find excellent clothes at some lower end Retailors, such as BR. Later in Corporare. Always start with a couple pieces of good quality.
This woman has made me a smart shopper. I don't shop much but now if I like something, I check each and everything.
Btw, is she still allowed in malls because of her honest opinions? 🤣
So how about BR factory? And Thank you for this!!!
I always thrift pieces from this brand, mostly blazers and dresses.
can you review aerie please
Idk I have some BR pieces and the threads keep breaking or pulling, I have a whole hem that came undone on one pair of pants and a hole in a shirt. I’ve honestly given up on BR, despite their really good sales
How about Banana Factory? How does it compare to regular Banana?
Can you review A&F?
Is there a brand that consistently makes good quality clothing for day to day looks not business casual?
I gained weight and I need to find a brand similar to BR but for plus sizes until I can lose the weight, but I cannot find any!! 😢