Quick hits: What I tried on at Banana Republic

On this mannequin: Jacket // Shirt // Skirt // Belt // Pumps

Going along with this morning’s feature on Banana Republic, I visited a local store in NYC on a recent lunch break and snapped some photos of a few quick outfits. Obviously I didn’t have a closet full of stuff to style with me so these are the bare bones of looks…with suggestions on how to complete each look.

Head inside to see what I tried…

Wearing: Dress // Shirt // Shoes (I’d swap them out for these in faded coral)
Complete the look with: Belt option 1 // option 2 // option 3 // Necklace 1 // Necklace 2 (layer them!)
Other outfit options: 1. Layer this sweater partially unzipped over the dress, so some of the pleats stick out.
2. Wear a denim jacket over it.

Quick fit notes…unless otherwise specified I am wearing the following sizes: dresses 6 // sweaters 4 or S // tops 4 or XS // jeans or pants 30 // skirts 8 // shoes 9. I am 5’8″, 32DD, 34-29-38.

This dress is somewhat shapeless on its own so for my hourglass shape the key would be defining my waist. The color of the dress is a lovely coral, really vivid and eye-catching. It’s a mini to be sure…fine for creative offices but not great for classic work environments. I’m in a green military shirt here (sorry the photos are a bit darker than I intended) with a belt on the right, though I’d swap that one out for something much more corset-like in the suggestions above. The shirt is very soft and the cuffs are easily folded above the elbow to help draw attention to my waist. I love both colors of the shirt!

The shoes don’t go with this outfit but one of the BR employees was nice enough to grab them for me. They are super comfy; I was shocked! And on sale…so I bought them. You win again, Banana! Out in the real world I’d swap the shoes for pink d’orsays.

Wearing: Dress // Sweater Vest // Shoes // Madewell Necklace (mine, I’d swap this out)
Complete the look with: Necklace option 1 // option 2 // Blazer
Other outfit options: Try a faux-leather open cardigan over the dress.

This dress features a tiered skirt and a black-white splotchy pattern that I love. On its own the neckline is higher than I’d prefer but it layered perfectly with the vest, just a touch of the dress peeking out at the neckline. The vest has a super-cool leather side panel but for waist-definition I’d probably add a white blazer over it for day.

Online the vest looks much looser on the model. If you want that more oversized look I think you’ll have to size up. I’m in a small here which is my usual size at BR.

The shoes from Banana Republic work great with this look! I also love the idea of a faux leather open cardi over the dress…

Wearing: Dress // Shirt (similar to what I’m wearing, the shirt I’m in is not online)
Complete the look with: Necklace
Other outfit options: Layer a long white cardigan over it.

Pink and blue are two of my favorite colors to pair as I’ve done here. The dress is so amazingly soft! It would be lovely on its own for a late summer dinner date. With the chambray top over it, the dress becomes an easy work dress too. (Although you may want to skip the black undies, ahem.) The dress is slightly longer in back, and the upper tier mirrors that effect.

The shirt is thinner chambray with sleeves that are a little tighter than I expected. It wasn’t easy to roll them up above my elbows. Worth it though! Another beltable look….


Weaing: Jeans // Top // Shoes (I’d swap them out for these in faded coral)
Complete the look with: Necklace

Gah! I loooovvvveeee this blush tweed top! It has two super cool spike-stud buttons in the back to open and close the neckline. It’s got a swingy shape. It’s tweed. Swoon! I wish it weren’t quite such a tent…I’m in a small here and while that’s the right size, I think a minimizing bra might help me out some. Throw a blazer over this one and call it a work look.

The jeans are also BR and I wasn’t too impressed with them — they are called skinnies but jeggings would be more accurate and they were super tight over my calves. I’m in a 30 here.


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