Banana Republic has been hit and miss for me lately (mostly miss, sadly) but even with their fit struggles and weird material choices, I have found some extra pretty delights to add softness to my closet where needed!
Take the Pom-Pom Cascade Vee Top (now $58, I took a medium) above. This top is lightweight and the ruffles move beautifully in the summer breeze. It may be hard to see in the photos online, but the ruffles have tiny little bead ‘pom-poms’ running down them, a cute design detail that invites people to get close to see them. This top comes in the beige color above (called cocoon) as well as navy. I bought this cocoon color and wear it a variety of ways — with this Button-Front Canvas Skirt (now $35, I took a 12) or this Ruffle Flounce Skirt (now $48, I took a 12 and went for the tall version which hits closer to my knees) and these Emilia Heeled Sandals ($128, I took a 9) in green, or I wear them over cropped white pants — my current favorite are these Pilcros from Anthropologie (I took a 30) — with cute sandal heels (I wear a 9).
Right now there is a special on lots of summer items, up to 40% off via this page. And their summer sale is offering some deliciously low prices on items we can wear now and later. Plus if you’re a Banana Republic cardholder you can take 15% off your order at the moment (code: BRCARD)! Inside, some of my recent successes that are on sale or promo right now…
The Floral Ruffle-Layer Dress (now $80, I took a 10) above was a last-minute purchase when I discovered a weekend trip would include dinner at a fancier restaurant than I was expecting. But wow what a win this dress has turned out to be! The drop waist and tiered ruffles are very flattering, and the print makes this dress easy to wear at work, on a date, or to a fancy restaurant. It has a racerback so you do need to take that into bra consideration. Like most BR dresses this Spring and Summer, I found this dress ran very narrow through the hips so I had to go all the way up to a 10 in it. The dress is also available in a blush pink version which washed me out too much, but would look beautiful on tan, olive, black and brown complexions.
I’ve also acquired several cute tops from Banana Republic this year, some of which are still hanging around in the sale section at highly discounted prices. The Ruffled Peplum Top (now $20, I took a medium) for instance is available in a medium at the time of this writing, and it’s a top I wear constantly. Whether with black dress shorts (I own these and these are also nice, and they’re both on super promo right now) or a simple flounce skirt or cropped pants, this top looks great! I can’t wait to try it with these J.Crew chinos come Fall. The versatile Ruffled Peplum Top also comes in a striped version.
Speaking of striped tops, this thicker cotton Bold Stripe Cutaway Tank (now $40, I took an 8) has been wonderful for casual days out and about the city. I shamelessly copy the outfit shown on their website with the Boyfriend Chino Crop in iguana green (now $48, I took a 12, other colors are as low as $20!) or shorts like the Boyfriend Denim Short (now $58, I took a 12). The Tank is very body-skimming but also breathable. It’s not great for super hot dog days, but it works very well up to about 85 degree days for me.
Another surprising win for me were the New Sloan-Fit Garment-Dye Utility Ankle Pant (now $20, I took a 12) which I own in Lilac and am seriously considering picking up in the mint green at this price! I did not expect them to be flattering on with the big rectangular pockets, but I get compliments on them all the time. Ditto the Sleeveless Print Tie-Neck Blouse (now $48, I took a M), which I did not expect to work on me but does, and it’s easy to wear with a flared skirt, dress pants, under a blazer or a cardigan too.
A cardigan like the Open-Front Merino Wool Cardigan (now $46, I took a M) which is an absolute steal at this price!! It’s one of the nicest merino cardigans I’ve found at the big stores in years. Come Fall and Winter you’re going to wish you had a cardigan like this.
Have you been in Banana Republic recently? What items have worked well for you there? Up next for me, I can’t wait to try on the Lace Shift Dress ($138), the Wool Fit-and-Flare Dress ($138), the Mini Pleat Vee Top ($68) and the Floral Knot Top ($68) from the new arrivals section. How about you?
