Banana Republic – Floral Lace Shirtdress, Nautical Basketweave Blazer, Denim Sheath Dress

In case you are shopping the Banana Republic Friends & Family this weekend, I have a few reviews for you. The F&F promo is you can take 50% off 5 full-priced items with a code sent via email.

~ Floral Lace Shirt Dress, Sun Palm Green, Medium ~

This was one of the lace items I wanted to see in-person. I found both this color and the navy lace dress. You’ll see the pattern of the lace looks like rosettes with scalloped hem, sleeves and button placket. This “green” was really bright IRL. I would prefer the Navy. The Medium was a great fit. Comfortable but not too roomy, hitting just above the knee.

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~ Nautical Basketweave Blazer, size 8 ~

I have a wool blazer, linen blazer and cotton blazer all in navy. I’ve been wanting to add a double-breasted blazer to my collection of navy blazers and this was exactly what I’m looking for. The size 8 was a bit snug in the upper arms and a little tight across the shoulders. I ordered the 10 Petite online and it is perfect, especially the arm length which hits right where my wrist ends. I never button my blazers but the 10 Petite did fit well when buttoned too.

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~ Sleeveless Lace Trim Top, Medium ~

I like the contrasting trim at the neckline of this top. I meant to buy it in-store but am glad I didn’t since it wasn’t on promo at the time. The Medium is a really good fit though a little square and boxy. This also comes in Tipo which is an Ivory with either navy or black trim. Another winner with this top.

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~ Boyfriend Jean, Medium Wash, size 29 ~

I don’t need any new jeans this Fall but these boyfriend jeans were really comfortable on. I ordered them in the 29 Short online and they came with a 3 inch cuff. I think if I let out the cuff it will be the same length as the pair I tried on in-store. I’ll have these hemmed to my liking and may order another pair before the weekend is over to have a backup on hand. Then I can have one pair for flats and one for heels.

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~ Raw-Edge Tweed Moto Jacket, size 8 ~
~ Lace Tie-Neck Top, Medium ~
~ Frayed Tweed Short, size 10 ~

This moto jacket was really cute IRL. I bought a J.Crew tweed jacket similar to this on Final Sale so I don’t need another but the raw edges and cropped style make this jacket stand out from others. The sleeves are sown oddly to the body. Almost like they cut the armholes to large and then sowed them on. You didn’t have a whole lot of movement in the arms.

~ Frayed Tweed Short, size 10 ~

As soon as I saw these shorts I knew I’d be bringing them home with me, as long as they fit. There was no size 8 to try, since they were in the Final Sale section, which was 50% off. I liked the color of the tweed so I was really happy to buy them over the moto jacket. The frayed edges of the jacket are only on the pockets of the tweed short. I did go up a size but that helps since the inseam is 3-inches. The size up makes them look like a 4-inch inseam.

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~ Lace Tie-Neck Top, Medium ~

I was really interested in this top when I saw it online but the way I have the neckline unbuttoned and the tie all loose makes me look like a disheveled Colonel Sanders. The Medium is the best fit and I love the sleeves; just my style. The bottom/hemline did grab a little more to my hips than I’m accustomed to but I still wouldn’t size up. I didn’t check to see how easily I could switch out the tie to another color but a pretty velvet or satin navy would be nice.

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~ Denim Sheath Dress, size 10 ~

I bought this with a different promo last week. It was part of the new arrivals and I knew it would sell out quickly (and has). The one thing I don’t like about BR is when something sells out online, they completely remove it from the site. There’s no way to perform a “Find it in Store”. I’ve found a lot of things in-store that had sold out online so I don’t think they keep track between the two very well. So check your stores if you are interested in this lovely sheath dress.

Judging by the online image I knew this would be a slim fit so I decided to size to a 10. That size turned out to be a perfect fit. It’s a mostly cotton blend with a little spandex and poly mixed in. That helps make it pretty stretchy. Though they look snug, the arms are pretty comfortable. The length is hitting me just below the knee. I cannot wait to wear this when the weather cools. I have these ankle-strap sandals on with it in the pics and also plan to wear it with these strappy sandals. I think I can get away with some dressy flats too. Tory Burch has a lovely new 60s-style shoe called the Gigi. I am in love with the Redstone and the Oceano.

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Are you shopping the Banana Republic Friends & Family? If you don’t have 5 full-priced items to purchase, there’s also an online promo of 40% off using code BRFORTY.

Happy Shopping!

4 Comments

  1. Keilexandra
    August 6, 2016 / 5:14 pm

    I think the 50% off promo is up to 5 items, not required. At least I was able to use my code online to buy just 2 items and still got 50% off.

    • audreybella
      August 10, 2016 / 10:00 am

      Keilexandra – Oh, that was very good to know. I was able to get the two items I wanted!

  2. Tati
    August 8, 2016 / 7:21 am

    AB, i went to the store this past weekend and thought of you and your picks from your previous post. Lots of pretty lace! I wish I’d seen that Lace tie-neck top, love the sleeves and collar on that one. (Bought another pretty white one instead – it came in the same lace pattern as that green lace dress above.)

    Also, loved this skirt the moment I saw it:
    http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=308756002&vid=1&cid=1064838

    One thing — I liked that pretty blue top with the bow and cowl neck, but noticed that reviews were correct on that one — the bow isn’t styled as featured on the site. The fabric is pretty nice for polyester!

    You’re right, it’s annoying how BR kicks things off their site once they’re sold out — I keep a wishlist with them and it’s frustrating when things pop off and you don’t even what they were.

    I thought you had to buy 5 items at FP to get the deal, but a manager told me that wasn’t the case, so that was a nice surprise (not that I couldn’t find 5 things! Trying to stick to a budget, unfortunately. ;-(

    Lastly, that denim sheath dress looks absolutely gorgeous on you! Wish I’d seen that one, looks so flattering!

    Have a great week!

  3. audreybella
    August 10, 2016 / 10:02 am

    Tati – I really thought that bow shoulder top was silk. It really does look gorgeous but it’s too bad the bow is different. I’ve got so many things on my wishlist but BR always has great promos so that really helps.