/ Bella Picks

Banana Republic has a Friendsgiving event, online only, ending tomorrow. You can take 40% off your purchase, with some exclusions (BR Pick, BR Monogram, cashmere, leather), using code FRIENDS. This code also applies to Gap and Old Navy.

~ Open Front Merino Wool Cardigan, Navy, Medium (long version)~

This merino cardigan looks to be sold out online but I found this in-store on the sale rack. I already have a merino cardigan from J.Crew but it’s v-neck and I wanted something a little more classic and cropped. The medium is a good fit though the sleeves are pretty long, as you can see by the bunching at my wrists. The neckline is also a little wider than the standard crewneck of J.Crew’s Jackie Cardigan.

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~ Puff-Sleeve Plaid Top, Preppy Navy, Medium ~

I was drawn to the puff-sleeves on this top, as well as the length of the sleeves. They are long enough to cover my arms but don’t quite hit the elbow; not too short or too long. When I saw this in-store it was styled with this purple blazer, which I thought was odd. I thought what is actually a bright pink color in this plaid top was red. But now that I know this is pink I can see wearing this top with my pink houndstooth heels. This is a poly blend that feels a little like wool while the pink version is 100% poly. This also comes in a tee.  It runs TTS.

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Here are a few more of my picks for this Friendsgiving sale.


Banana Republic has also launched their Holiday Collection so you’ll find some great options for upcoming parties like this sequin skirt, tuxedo dress or these heels. This FRIENDS sale ends tomorrow.

/ Bella Picks

Banana Republic is having a Flash Sale today, online only. With code BRFLASH, you can take 40% off your purchase of $200 or more. And there don’t seem to be any normal exclusions, like leather, cashmere, Monogram, etc. Of course, I would immediately get the Suede Trench, if it weren’t so impractical for me. We have no real in-between from Summer to Winter and this is more of a Fall item. It’s suede so it won’t repel the rain. And it’s still expensive, with the 40% off. But it IS gorgeous. Oh well, see more of my practical picks for this Flash Sale.

~ Waxed Canvas Jacket, Preppy Navy, Medium ~

This is similar to the Downtown Field Jacket. It differs in that you can cinch the waist and there is also a buckle at the collar. It looks a little weird on me because I cinched it too tight but you can see how that can create some shape for you. Take your true size, as the Medium was a good fit for me, even though the sleeves are really long. This jacket is lined in a soft jersey cotton.

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~ Avery-Fit Windowpane Ankle Pant, size 10 ~

Size 8 seemed to be pretty popular in my store as there were few pants on the floor in that size. The store I go to also carries a limited amount of Petite items so I went up to a size 10 in the Avery Fit. From the fit of the 10, I could tell I needed either a petite 10 or a size 8. I like this windowpane with the subtle white stripes to form the windowpane print. The Avery fit is a Tailored pant that is also supposed to be cropped. I do like that Banana Republic offers different fits for their pants in various colors, prints and material.

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~ Avery-Fit Denim Pant, size 8 ~

I really liked these Denim pants and they reminded me of the J.Crew Minnie Pant in Denim from 2010-ish. These are nice and tailored and fit well in the size 8. These do have both poly and spandex in them so they may stretch quite a bit after wearing them. I also worry that the darker wash denim will start fading after a few washes. Something to look out for with these.

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~ Sloan-Fit Garment Dyed Slim Ankle Pant, Pacific Taupe, size 10 ~

The Sloan-Fit are a slimmer fit and ankle length. I’ve had a pair or two of these in the past and always try to get them in the short length so that they are cropped on me. The size 10 actually fit well through the hips and thighs but were a little big in the waist and the knee. I’m not sure they’d shrink all that much after washing so I would go with a petite. I did like the material as it was thicker than slacks like the Avery Windowpane but still thinner than the Avery Denim Pant. The Pacific Taupe looks gray to me and not brown like the online image.

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I am sitting out this sale. Other than the Suede Trench there really isn’t anything I actually need right now. We are still in warm weather mode so it’s hard to think about Fall clothes.

Happy Shopping!

/ Reviews

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!

/ Bella Picks

Banana Republic has new arrivals out geared towards late-Summer / early-Fall. One style I’ve been gravitating towards is Lace. There are several pieces I am seriously lusting over, particularly in the colors being offered.

Banana Republic always seems to have pretty leather and suede pieces each year. I like the drape of the Bow-Knot Top. J.Crew’s bow shoulder top was stiff and shapeless compared to this lovely bow top. The only drawback is the Polyester material. I would have preferred silk. I ordered this Denim Sheath Dress which has sold out pretty quickly online but you might be able to find it in-stores. If I hadn’t bought a trench coat earlier this year I would have definitely tried this short trench coat in navy.

Today starts Banana Republic’s Friends & Family event. You can take 50% off 5 regular prices items. This does exclude leather, cashmere and BR Picks. You will need to sign up for emails to get a code mailed to you. Usually the store honors the event without a code or email. I try to get two to three things I want and then get some tees or socks for The Boy or Husband to get to my 5 items. The Factory is having 40% off your entire purchase from now until August 14. Again, sign up for emails to get the code needed for the Friends & Family event.

/ Bella Picks

Have you seen the latest prints over at Banana Republic? They are so perfect for Spring that it’s hard to choose a favorite, but I’ll try.

My favorite of the Brushstroke Print is the Shirtdress.  When I first saw it online, I thought the contrasting collar and cuffs were another shirt layered under but they are part of the dress. Sadly, it’s 100% Polyester. For $158, I was hoping for a least jersey, if not silk. Only the skirt is a rayon/linen blend.

Of the Watercolor print, I really like both the Pencil and Pleated Skirts. The Pencil Skirt and Pants are 100% Cotton.

Though I can see both of these prints at J Crew, I am really happy to see Banana Republic adding some nice prints to their collection.

Which of the two prints do you like? Or do you prefer the Pinstripe (Skirt, Shirtdress)?