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Banana Republic currently has a 40% off, online only, promo through tomorrow 11/20. Use code BRSMILE40 for the discount. Exclusions apply, including BR Picks, BR Monogram, Cashmere, Leather, and blazers, to name a few.

This is the same style, but in a pattern, as the Gray Flannel Fit-and-Flare Skirt I reviewed in late October. This plaid option showed up online just after my review and I knew I wanted it. I decided to order the 8 Tall to have a little more length in the skirt. At the time, this skirt was a BR Pick, and excluded from online promos, and it was on back-order. The skirt finally shipped last week but not before I also found it in one of the stores here in town.

The store did not have a size 8 for me to try so I grabbed the last size 10 on the rack. The size is perfect. The Gray Flannel Skirt was a little snug at the “fit” area, though not uncomfortable. But the 10 leaves me room to tuck in shirts and still not look like it’s too small or tight on me. I’m not necessarily saying to size up. I still think this skirt runs TTS but right now, the size 10 in this style is good for me.

It looks good with the Noir Sweatshirt I bought on sale last week but I think just ok with the Fringe Tank. I think a little pop of red on top will look great and bring this into the Holiday season.

  
Here are two other styling options I’ll try with this skirt. Both J Crew, the Masquerade Tee is from 2009 and the Harper Boots are from 2012, . They are so sleek and thankfully came in Extended Calf sizing. This tee is one of my all-time favorites.  

My booties are the Christian Louboutin Melisa that I splurged on last year. I have worn them quite a bit and will be wearing them frequently again soon. I’m normally a 37 in the CL Simple Pumps but sized to a 38 since these ran a little narrow. The necklace is the Radial Necklace from J Crew about a year ago. This may be my Christmas Eve or Day outfit. 

Being able to style this 3 different ways immediately is a good sign I’ll be keeping this skirt. As soon as I receive the 8 Tall I’ll be returning it. Especially since I paid full-price for it. Since it’s no longer a BR Pick you can get this skirt with the 40% off, BRSMILE40, promo.

Have a Great Evening!

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The Suede Moto Sweater Jacket has been on my wishlist since it arrived styled in an email last month. The suede details is what I really like about this jacket. My store just received it and it sold through pretty quick with only a Small and Large on the rack. This is the Large and fits ok.

The Large ran big through the body so I think the Medium would fit much better throughout. 
I like this much better opened and would add a scarf underneath. 
The suede detail at the shoulders are what I love about this jacket. This isn’t for cold-weather wear but might do well layered under a heavier coat. Otherwise, I would wear this on mild-temp days.

And here are a few more outerwear picks. My two favorites are the Draped Wool Coat and the Red Wool Coat. With a non-neutral color like red, you really have to decide if you will like it 1-3 years later. Otherwise, it’s probably best to stick to neutrals, like Gray, Black, and Navy.

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I do not have a need for a new Winter coat since I bought the Majesty Peacoat last year, in Navy. I do wear blazers all the time in the Fall, Winter and Early Spring so anything that can function as something similar, like the Suede Moto Sweater Jacket will always get some use.

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This weekend, through Sunday, “BREXCITED” gets you 30% off Full-Price styles, online and in-store, with some exclusions (BR Picks, Cashmere and Leather). Banana Republic is pretty good about their promos and the BR Picks are usually rotated with a month of new arrivals. I’ve noticed that items will go online first and then shipped to the store within a few weeks, usually by the time some items are removed from the BR Pick list.

~ Racerback Cowl Tank, Secret Plum, Small ~
I like a good cowlneck and am always looking to find a nice one that drapes enough and not too low. I had to fiddle with this for a bit to get it lay the way I wanted. The jersey material feels nice against the body but overall this tank runs a little big. I think the Medium would drape lower at the neck, which, if I was going to use this as a going-out top only would be fine. Otherwise, I will layer this under cardigans and blazers. The Secret Plum is nicely saturated and a beautiful color. This little top also comes in Cocoon (an Ivory shade) and Black.

~ A La Mode Pullover, Medium ~
Everywhere you look this season are sweatshirts of all materials, graphics and patterns. Banana Republic now has some graphic ones in a ponte-blend material. This is the Medium and ran really small on me. I want my sweatshirts to be comfortable but not hugely oversized. The A La Mode Sweatshirt goes in the opposite direction of my preferences. The arms are tight, the chest is pulling and it’s “hand-wash”. I would need to size to at least a Large to have this fit comfortably and maybe larger to layer underneath it. 
This also comes in Haute and The Little Black Sweatshirt which are all the same rayon-blend. 

~ Soft-Wash Bold Plaid Flannel Shirt, Preppy Navy, Medium ~
This shirt has been on my wishlist since it came out but 1) was a BR Pick and excluded from promos and 2) didn’t arrive to my store until last week. I love the Navy with little hints of green throughout and it looked good paired with the Coated Green Sateen Skinny Ankle Pant. The Medium is the best fit for me, comparing to the size 8 of the J Crew Perfect Shirts. Overall, having seen it IRL finally, I decided it wasn’t needed in my closet right now. It stays on my wishlist for now, though.

This also comes in Strawberry Red, which is similar to a Madewell shirt I have.
~  Faux-Leather Trim Cable-Knit Pullover, Navy, Small ~
This sweater is another item on my wishlist. The Small was snug for me in the upper body so I would get a Medium. Even then, I’m not sure I could layer anything more than a thin tee underneath.I do like the fitted look through the body though so I hope the Medium isn’t too much wider.  I’ll definitely be going back to make sure though. 

I liked the cable-knit and the color but this sweater does need a shirt underneath as the zipper comes above the waistband.

What are you shopping for at Banana Republic?

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I was able to stop by Banana Republic over the weekend and try on some new arrivals, including some items on my current Pinterest Board.

~ Shine Faille Full Skirt, size 6 ~

This shiny skirt is great for the upcoming Holiday season. This size fit well and I would stick with it since I’d use it as a party skirt. The pleating might be too much or full for some but with the length on the shorter side it’s fine for me. 

~ Ponte Midi Skirt, size 8 ~

I want a midi skirt so badly but I feel it just overwhelms my 5’2″ height. Banana Republic has some great ones right now, including the Blue Metallic Jacquard Midi Skirt. The longest I can have a skirt and not feel frumpy is 22 inches. Funny that I used to wear skirts and dresses this length in high school, call “tea-length” at that time. The ponte feels nice and comfortable and the size 8 is a good fit. 
  
~ Ivory Box Pleat Skirt, size 6 ~
This was on sale at $39.99 and fits really well in the size 6. I like how the pleating does not start at the waist and that the drop waist isn’t too low. The material was a ponte’ knit and felt nice and great for Fall. I would have bought this if I didn’t already have an “Old School ‘Crew” skirt, the Flannel Parlour Skirt, in Ivory. 
~ Coated Green Sateen Skinny Ankle Pant, size 29 ~
I reviewed the Coated Mahogany Skinny Ankle Pant in this {post} and this is the same pant but in green. I liked the green a lot better and the 29 was a good fit. I have a black and a blue pair of coated denim so I’ll stick with those for now. 
I know I’ve said this before and even my friend Dianna and I have emailed each other about it but BR is just doing so well with their Collections right now. I am loving a lot of it! Go Marissa!!

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Banana Republic always has good promos, almost every week now. You just need to decide which one to wait for. I think the one I used was a 40% off. Those and the 50% off one are whatI try to wait for. With Marissa Webb as the Creative Director the #NewBR is looking really cool.

~ Draped Jersey Top, Medium Heather Grey, Medium ~

I reviewed this a month ago {here} and loved it then but didn’t bring it home with me. I waited for a good promo to order it. It comes in 5 different colors but I stuck with the gray since that is one of my colors for Fall. For me, this still fits TTS, if only because of the arms. I may grab the Cocoon or Dark Cypress on another promo. 

~ Soft-Wash Gray Denim Shirt, Medium ~

I was on the fence about this denim shirt after I ordered it but once I tried it on I decided I liked it. I have two Madewell Denim Shirts, in denim and in black. Gray seems like a rare color for denim but I think it will layer well under some sweaters or alone with skirts or jeans. Maybe do a gray tonal look with my Toothpicks in Dolphin Gray? Good or bad, I’ll be sure to share if I do!
As far as fit, the Medium fit TTS for me. I like that it’s not too tight across the chest and waist. The length is long enough to stay tucked in, as well. 

~ Ruched Jersey Skirt, Black, Medium ~

I reviewed {here} and bought this same skirt in Gray. I’ve worn it a few times already during work-from-home days and love it. It’s so comfortable and very easy to wear that I bought it in black too. I wore it all weekend with a tee, cardi and Cons, and then on Sunday afternoon with a silk blouse. 

 

~ Gray Flannel Fit-and-Flare Skirt, size 8 ~

I really wanted this skirt to work out. This is a BR Pick which are almost always excluded from promos. But I really wanted to try it and see the material in person. I was hoping it was thicker in material but it’s thin. Definitely not for harsh winters, which I don’t have, but I would have to wear tights with this once it got colder. 
It has a flat front and then the pleats start. The size 8 fit well and the length felt ok. It would be nice to see this hitting just at the knee. 

And a few more of my current picks from Banana Republic. The Blue Jacquard Midi Skirt looks divine!

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Happy Monday!

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