Banana Republic 2015 – Page 2 – Life is Short…Buy the Shoes

audreybella / November 4, 2015 / Reviews

Banana Republic: Casual New Arrivals

Banana Republic started their Friends & Family event today. You can take 50% off if you purchase 5 full-price items. I’ve found BR is now automatically applying the promo code to your cart. I was able to head in-store last week to try on a lot of items from the latest roll-out.

~ Mixed Stitch Turtleneck Pullover, Green, Small ~
~ Medium Wash Crop Flare, size 29 ~

The Mixed Stitch Turtleneck Sweater Pullover was a generous size so the Small fit well. It comes in an array of colors, including this “green” which is more of a Citron. That color is peppered throughout the collection. I do think I prefer the J Crew Relaxed Wool Turtleneck Sweater as far as style but this “green” color is bright but gorgeous IRL.

The Medium Wash Crop Flare were pretty snug and not cropped on me. I’d have to size to a 30 which would also make them full-length. The hem is also unfinished/distressed, which I liked. I’m really comfortable in my current wide-leg crops so I’m passing on buying any new skinny jeans right now.

~ Pink Print Silk Boyfriend Shirt, Pink Strawberry, Small ~
~ Foulard Silk Boyfriend Shirt, Preppy Navy, Small ~
~ Foulard Silk Wide-Leg Pant, Preppy Navy, Small ~

I first saw the Pink Strawberry styled under an Ivory Sweater similar to my Harvest Moon Poncho I purchased at Anthro last year. The sleeve hem has a contrasting foulard print, similar to the Navy below. The background is Olive with pink dots all over. The size Small fit well. I find I am more consistent in a Small with tops at Banana Republic than a Medium, so I would say this is TTS.

After trying on the Pink Strawberry print, I knew I would be getting the blouse, it was just a matter of what color to buy. Once I tried on the Preppy Navy I knew that was the blouse to buy during this F&F event. I love the color and print so much more than the Pink Strawberry.

With the Foulard Silk Wide-Leg Pant the two items together look like nice pajamas. The small fit (thank goodness for a tie-waist) but the length was way too long. I don’t even think the Medium Petite would fit in the length without some alterations. Since I would want to keep the contrast print at the hem it would need to be cut off, the foulard part taken up, and then the hem added back. Still these are really nice pants and also come in the Pink Strawberry color. Did I mention the silk was so soft and comfortable? Just lovely.

Other than the jeans, I really liked all of these items. And I have one item out of 5 to purchase.

audreybella / October 31, 2015 / Bella Picks

Banana Republic New Arrivals

Wow! Is Banana Republic bringing their A-game or what? I really really tried to whittle my list down to these items but there is so much I would love to have from BR right now. The colors and styles and shape are all speaking to me and they are all saying “Take me to your closet.” Let’s take a look at my picks!

I just unpacked my sweaters and Winter clothes and am so ready for the temps to drop. I forgot about all the wonderful favorites that I have. I only need a few new items to freshen them up and the Anabel Plaid Wool Scarf will go with nothing and everything in my closet. That goes for the Foulard Wide-Leg Pant too. It’s 100% Silk! The navy looks so pretty though I would still have to hem the Petite version.

I keep gravitating towards the Red Full Skirt but I have plenty of Holiday colored wear to last me years. Though it could be good for Valentine’s Day. It would also go with the Haircalf Large Pouch. I have been on the search for a Leopard Calf Hair clutch of some kind but don’t want to pay a whole lot for it since I won’t use it very often. I’m sure there will be another promo soon so that I can buy this one.

That gray with green plaid is on almost everything at Banana. And I am loving that Plaid Tweed Mini Skirt as well as the most lovely looking Three-Button Coat and Delphine Pump.I ordered the Printed Silk Bow Dress and Plaid Lace Trim Tweed Top with a nice 40% off promo last week. Look for those reviews soon! You can always see my latest picks from Banana Republic on my Pinterest Board.

Follow AudreyBella’s board Bella Wants BR on Pinterest.

And starting on November 4th (through the 8th) will be the Friends & Family event. You can take 50% off if you buy 5 full-price items, both online and in-store. What a nice way to stack up on all those new arrival beauties!

Happy Shopping!

audreybella / May 22, 2015 / Uncategorized

Banana Republic: Cropped Sweater Tank, Linen Vee

I don’t know why I continue to try on cropped shirts. Like Wide-Leg Cropped Pants, they fit me weird and I don’t think I’ll ever find the right one to get into the trend. I’ve even paired both for you. Take a look below…

~ Cropped Sweater Tank, Mint, Small ~

I liked the color of this sweater tank but I had to adjust to get a decent pic of this with me wearing it. This is pretty cropped, at least on me. I think, though a Medium might have given a touch more length, it would have looked really wide and boxy on me. The model image shows this as a layering piece over a long-sleeve shirt. Layering is not an option in Summer for me, unless it’s a cover-up over a swimsuit. I do still like this sweater though. It’s a little thick, for a Spring/Summer item but if you get the White or Marled Heather it will transition well into Fall and even early Winter, depending on your climate.

Yep, the two together don’t work either.

~ Linen Vee, Gray, Medium ~

Either this color sold out online or it’s darker online. I really liked it though and would have bought it had there been a promo at the time I was shopping. It’s on promo now taking 40% off with BRSUMMER. All the basic colors are available to choose from. I wear Linen Tees all Summer long and replace mine every few years. I just ordered some from Loft. I’ll review those when they come in.

I love this with the Linen Tie-Front Wide-Leg Pants.

And here are some other Tee picks…

Don’t forget to use BRSUMMER for 40% off at Banana Republic. Some items are 50% off, with the same code.

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audreybella / May 22, 2015 / Uncategorized

Banana Republic: Linen Trapeze Dress, Shibori Patio Dress, Belted Romper

~ Linen Trapeze Dress, White, size 6 ~

I’m always on the lookout for cute, keep-me-cool dresses to wear during the Summer. This dress meets those qualifications. I grabbed the wrong size and would feel more comfortable in a size 8. My only issue with this dress is the hem. I wish it had been the same length all the way around. This also comes in Blooming Red, which looks similar to J Crew’s Modern Red.

~ Shibori Patio Dress, size 8 ~

I loved this dress the minute I saw it hanging in the store. I like the fit of the size 8 just fine. Some reviewers say the chest is a little tight and to size up one, which is what I unknowingly did here. This is so much prettier IRL than my pics or the online image show. This is lined and the entire dress is so comfortable.

My only issue is one I’m self-conscious about. I have scarring from back acne and feel very self-conscious wearing strapless or a criss-cross back or anything that doesn’t have full back coverage. But the print and Shibori Tie-Dye is so pretty and I think this would look nice with a denim jacket (though not needed in Summer where I live). I know it’s not the same as this dress but I did purchase the Dip-Dye Smocked Skirt.

~ Belted Romper, Black, size 6 ~

I think I’m trying on every romper and jumpsuit I see. Which is actually a good thing because they all fit so differently. This one is 100% Polyester and drapey. I think I look like I’m wearing a Dickies Jumpsuit in this romper. It’s a little too roomy and the belt is useless. It’s not a tie-belt but has a buckle. There weren’t enough holes to use the belt properly. I’d probably trade it out for a Leopard one instead. The size 6 was a good fit and I like the length of the inseam. It’s not completely to my knees but not super short either.

The Heritage Utility Romper is Cotton with a little Spandex and reminds me of “safari” BR. It’s also not going to drape as much as the Belted Romper.

The Linen Trapeze dress is a BRPICKS and excluded from the 40% off promo, BRSUMMER, unless you have their credit card. Then BRPICKS are included in the promo. The Shibori Patio Dress and both rompers are both included in the promo.

What do you think about the Shibori Patio Dress? Should I get it despite my hesitation?

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audreybella / May 21, 2015 / Uncategorized

Banana Republic: Chambray Utility Pant, Denim Soft Pant, Linen Tie-Front Wide-Leg

I had quite a bit of time to myself while in San Diego so spent some of it taking the time to try on some clothes without being rushed. Banana Republic was my first stop and they had just received their latest collection of new arrivals.

~ Chambray Utility Pant, Small ~

These pants looked and felt so drab on me. The size Small fit ok but there’s bunching in the front though it was tight across the butt. The Medium would have been really saggy and bunchy. These are 100% cotton with no stretch. The model image doesn’t seem to really be pulling off these pants either. Maybe a zipper and button instead of the elastic waist could have helped this pant have a little more structure.

~ Denim Soft Pant, size 6 ~

These reminded me of J Crew’s Cuffed Lightweight Chambray Pant (on the right), down to the elastic at the hem. I would definitely need to size up to an 8 in these as the size 6 was fairly tight. The BR pant was 100% Tencel while the JC pant is a Tencel/Linen blend. I like the look of the material better on the JC pant. The BR pant has a little too much shine for me. I passed on the JC pant as well as the BR pant.

~ Linen Tie-Front Wide-Leg, size 6 ~

I liked these quite a bit though they are really sheer and not lined. You can see these are a little snug. I think the size 8 might make these a little more slouchy. And they definitely need to be hemmed. These were too sheer for my liking. I don’t event think Spanx could save them. They also come in Chambray, which I saw in-store but didn’t grab to try on. I would order the Chambray if there was still a size 8 available.

Remember, I also tried on similar pants (on the right) at the Loft {review} some on at Loft, that are very similar, $10 cheaper and they are having 40% off online-only.