Banana Republic 2015 – Life is Short…Buy the Shoes

audreybella / November 8, 2015 / Reviews

Banana Republic: Party Wear

The last reviews I have are some party outfit ideas. Banana Republic already has a lot to choose from that are cool and fun.

~ Silk Wrap Dress, Stream Blue, size 6 ~

This is a robe. Plain and simple. I need a roll of double-sided duct tape for the neckline on this dress. Kidding aside, Wow…what a dress! The silk feels so nice against the skin and the color is amazing. It’s more green IRL and not blue in any way. This dress is sold out online but was in my store as of last week in limited sizes. It’s meant to be cool and sexy but I would have preferred a size 8 as the waist was a little tight, even with the wrap belt. It felt the skirt, along with the top would open inappropriately with every step I took. But I loved it! It’s also offered in Black Sequin.

~ Strappy Sequin Dress, size 8 ~

Though this dress looks like it fits me, the second layer on top was pulling across the chest. I need a size 10 in this dress. The skirt is also very snug. The top is swingy and the skirt should be just a little loose.

The back part of the top exposes the second layer. It would make a fun New Year’s Eve Party dress.

I ran my hand against the lay of the sequins to flip them and they slightly changed the color of the dress. It was kind of cool looking.

~ Metallic Tweed Fringe Tank, Medium ~
~ Metallic Inverted Pleat Skirt, size 8 ~

I chose to try these separates on instead of the Vee Peplum Tank & Metallic Jacquard Pencil Skirt. I shy away from gold so I knew I needed to try something out of my comfort zone. Needless to say I wasn’t a fan of the color or the top. The size fit me just fine but it felt constricting anyway and looked too boxy.

The skirt is nice and has an inverted pleat. The size 8 just fit so I would probably size up to a 10. The length is just above the knee. The material on both is a metallic tweed. It looks like someone painted my top and skirt gold and seems more raffia than tweed. I wasn’t enamored by both and I have plenty of better party-wear.

~ Bow Tie Graphic Tee, Small ~
~ Fringe Knit Mini, Medium ~

The Bow Tie tee was really cute IRL but a bit sheer. I do see dressing it up with this Sequin Blazer or these Gauchos.

The skirt was really fun and cute. It’s the same fringe as the Fringe Tank Tunic. The waistband is completely elastic and it ran TTS. You can’t tell in these images but this does hit me above the knee. This would be great for my friend’s party coming up. I know she already has something similar.

Overall, I’m really pleased with this roll-out. And I like that they rolled out some Holiday items for parties already. I hope the December roll-out is more Holiday!

Happy Shopping!

audreybella / November 7, 2015 / Reviews

Banana Republic: Fringe Tank Top, Plaid Lace Trim Tweed Top, Leopard Pouch

Here’s an extra post for today, as I want to finish up my reviews by tomorrow, the end of F&F. (Note – You’ll need a code from an email sent by BR.)

~ Fringe Tank Tunic, Small ~

I have the J Crew retail version of this and it’s still sitting in my closet with tags. 🙁 But I do love this version by BR. The fringe is layered and looks more “feathery”. When I originally saw this tank on the hanger I thought it was a cool mini dress. It just barely covers my rear so it would be indecently mini mini on me. The Small was a great fit, so TTS for me.

~ Plaid Lace-Trim Tweed Top, size 8 ~

This was the other “early look” item I purchased a few weeks ago. I wanted something in the plaid print and chose this over the Anabel Plaid Wool Scarf and Plaid Tweed Mini Skirt. I like the pattern and this is lined so the wool isn’t itchy against your skin.

This had only just a bit of shape and was boxy looking from the side. The arms fit me well, they weren’t snug or tight but I still felt constricted in them due to how they were cut. I think I need either true short-sleeve or higher and not elbow-length, like this top.

The lace trim is as the bottom of the shirt. You couldn’t see it very well against my dark denim.

~ Haircalf Large Pouch ~

I’ve been wanting a Leopard pouch for a while and was excited to see not only this in-store but also the Haircalf Foldover Crossbody. That one has interior card slots and zippers and the strap can be removed. But it is also almost $100 more than the pouch. The front is haircalf/calfhair in a leopard print and the back is black embossed leather. There’s a single zip at the top and is actually quite big, about a letter-size sheet of paper. I was expecting something a little smaller.

I did end up buying the pouch as I didn’t see but one other in-store and I didn’t want to miss out on it and since it’s leather it’s excluded from any promos or F&F. You should see this divine Satchel too!

audreybella / November 7, 2015 / Reviews

Banana Republic: Foulard Ruffle Dress, Foulard Silk Bow Dress

I hope you’ve been enjoying the reviews so far. I’m glad that I was able to time my fitting room reviews with Friends & Family so you have a better idea of what you might want to buy. Note – You’ll need to have received a code via email from BR.

~ Foulard Ruffle Dress, size 6 ~

The size 6 fit well in this 100% Polyester dress. I’m very disappointed in the material considering the next dress below is $20 more and 100% Silk. The dress was stuck to me and took a while to adjust. I highly recommend a slip with this dress, since it’s not lined. I am also not a fan of the ruffle going from one sleeve to the other either. We were doing so well in these reviews. It has a shirttail hem and button cuffs. You can see it hits me above the knee but it does come in Tall sizes and solid Gray.

~ Foulard Silk Bow Dress, size 6 ~

I ordered this during an early access window that also included 40% off. I like the olive color tones of the dress as well as the drop-waist pleats. But the size 6 was a little ill-fitting in the chest and upper body. Sizing to an 8 would make this a little bigger in the waist than I would have liked. And I couldn’t envision myself wearing this anywhere. Bonus points for being 100% Silk, though it is unlined. Had this come in the Preppy Navy I might have reconsidered keeping it.

Though I like Olive for Fall, Navy always trumps it for me. So I wish these had been offered in both colors. I might have overlooked the ruffle on the Foulard Ruffle Dress.

audreybella / November 6, 2015 / Reviews

Banana Republic: Outerwear

Let’s move on to outerwear next. I am usually wearing one of my many wool blazers in Winter and only use my coats when it’s really really cold. But I’d love to add any of these next three items to my closet!

~ Faux Fur Vest, Medium ~

It’s always hard to not look like a Bumble when wear a Faux Fur Vest. I had one in the past that was reversible from GAP Factory and wore it once or twice. I know there are folks out there who can pull off wearing one, it just has to be the right one.

The Medium was a bigger fit so I would definitely size to a Small which was sold out in-stores. I don’t think I would ever zip this so I am not a fan of the zipper though the contrasting black zipper does break up the fur some. I like the look better unzipped and open. Overall, I like the Faux Fur Vest but is this vest better than it’s competitors (F21, Kohl’s, Lord & Taylor)? The quality might be but IMO, not really. Especially for an item I probably won’t wear next year, or even much this year.

~ XO Cocoon Coat, Medium ~

I so loved this coat! I thought the pattern was a swirl at first but it is abstract X’s and O’s. The Medium was a generous fit so I would size to a Small maybe even XS. I cannot remember the warmth of this coat whether it had a nice thick quilted lining but it’s relaxed enough to layer. Size down at least one in this beautiful unique coat.

~ Plaid Three-Button Tailored Coat, Small ~

This was my favorite of the three and is also offered in Citron Green. If you like the bright green but not all over then don’t worry as this is mixed with gray in the Plaid version. There’s also a Pink Double-Breasted Coat I love!

The Small was a tight fit in the shoulders and arms. I think a Medium Petite would be a much better fit in that area as well as shorten the sleeves some. I love this plaid and it’s on many items in this collection. So if the coat isn’t for you maybe the scarf, gloves or Plaid Moto Jacket are! That jacket was gorgeous IRL and has a faux fur collar that’s so soft! I didn’t see it until I was leaving so I wasn’t able to try it on.

It’s fully lined.

Double-pockets on the left side

I really loved the coats compared to last year. I think Marissa is doing a great job with these collections!

audreybella / November 5, 2015 / Reviews

Banana Republic: Full Skirts

I prefer wearing skirts over pants so I’m always looking for good ones to add to my closet. Let’s take at look at three I tried on last week.

~ XO Printed Full Skirt, size 8 ~

This is no longer available online but was in my store on-sale. It’s the same print as the Cocoon Coat. The size 8 fit pretty snug in the waist so I’d need to size up one. The material felt like a thick crepe and the length hit at my knee. The pleats on this make my hips look wider. I think sizing up would allow them to lay down a little more.

~ Red Full Skirt, size 8 ~

This is exactly like the skirt above but just in a solid red color. The Red isn’t a true red as it seemed to have a little big of orange tint to it IRL. The sizing was just the same as the XO Full Skirt and was also on sale in-store, priced at $49.99. It’s still full-price online.

~ Taffeta Fit-and-Flare Skirt, size 8 ~

It was a miss on all three of these skirts, including this lovely olive taffeta one. The size 8 also fit snug in the waist and I’d need a 10 to feel more comfortable. It’s nice and full and I’d put it under “party” outfits because of the taffeta. I wouldn’t want to be rustling around in this skirt at work.

I am happy with the skirts in my closet so I wasn’t completely sad that these skirts didn’t fit in my normal (J Crew) size 8. There will be others.