Is Banana Republic getting really good again? Find out with 40% off

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A few days ago a coworker was wearing a show-stoppingly cute ensemble, featuring this gorgeous red-based brocade skirt and blazer and this top. All day long as she’d wander by my office on her way to run office errands or talk to someone in a different department, I’d pause and let my eyes go wide and jaw drop. It was that cute on!

Finally on one of her many passes I caught her long enough to ask where she’d gotten such a perfect look. She motioned for me to lean in…and then rather quietly and almost sheepishly, she whispered so low it was practically mouthing, “I got it at Banana Republic!!”

“Whhhhhhhaaaaaaat??!? NO.” I said back. A fellow shopping lover, she and I have often lamented Banana Republic’s tumble after letting Marissa Webb go and their unfortunate struggles with quality. But as my friend clued me in to, BR’s been making huge strides to repair the sucky quality and head into the chic work-ready clothing for the masses they were once quite good at.

Her outfit, as it turns out, is part of the Fall 2017 Banana Republic x Olivia Palermo collection. I have to admit I’ve got a total #girlcrush on Ms. Palermo. Her personal style is somehow modest yet sexy and she effortlessly combines colors and textures in ways that inform and influence my own outfits.

My friend told me the good news that BR’s Fall collection has lots of beautiful pieces, and I’ve got even better news for you — the OP collaboration and BR’s entire Fall collection are 40% off when you spend $200 or more, online only, and you’ll get free 2-3 day shipping! No code required; discount reflects at checkout. I headed over to the store and tried a ton of stuff on. Here’s what I liked.

I’m truly delighted that the Olivia Palermo collection is included in the promotion, because there is a ton of beautiful stuff! There are lots of colors and textures as one would expect from the beautiful orangey-red of the Ruffled-Off-The-Shoulder Dress (now $89, above, I took a 12) which also comes in a silk navy polka-dot version to the modern utility of the Asymmetrical Trench Coat (now $137, I took a medium), there are beautiful tones and body-skimming designs that are so flattering.

I have noticed that BR’s dresses tend to be cut very narrow through the chest and hips these days, and I’m extra plentiful in those areas right now, so I’m often sizing up quite a bit there for ideal fit. I’m mostly a 6-8 in dresses at other places, a 12 or 14 at BR. If you yourself are narrower through the chest, hips and butt then you can likely stick to your true size.

This capsule collection really nails its style and aesthetic and has so much highly wearable stuff! It’s no wonder these accented high-rise cords keep selling out! I also adore this lovely lace-hemmed sweater tunic (I took a M), this lightweight jacket (ditto) and this heavier, more structured jacket (needed a L in this one), and this tiered velvet dress (I took a 10 in this).

You’ll find plenty to love in the rest of BR’s Fall stuff too. There are some classics like the Italian Wool-Blend Peplum-Hem Coat ($268 + 40% off, better in the new army than taupe) and the Water-Resistant Trench Cape ($168 + 40% off) and some you have to see them to believe thems like the Camo Bell-Sleeve Peacoat with Removeable Faux Fur Collar ($248 + 40% off). I also like touches like the animal-print collar on this blouse and the superb fit of work classics like the Windowpane Lightweight Wool Godet-Flounce Sheath Dress ($138 + 40% off) and the same dress in plaid.

From blouses to work outfits to classics or fun, below are my picks for this wonderful 40% off promotion. Have you shopped Banana lately?

23 Comments

  1. Anthropolitan
    September 19, 2017 / 8:25 am

    Oh my goodness, between this and the Anna Sui collection at macys…just wow. I really love this dress and am thinking of getting it: http://shopstyle.it/l/hXmW. I also love the black velvet midi dress. Seriously stunning pieces.

    • September 19, 2017 / 9:21 am

      Ummmm, ANNA SUI FOR MACY'S?!?! I'm up in Connecticut this week but as soon as I'm back in NYC I'll have to head to the Herald Square flagship to check that out. Love this dress: http://bit.ly/2f7ZCh6 Here's the whole collection for anyone who wants to take a look now: http://bit.ly/2f7wOFg

      Love the dress you selected Anthropolitan. The fabric is nice and the print is exquisite. The fit didn't quite work on me — the torso was too short. But I do like it very much!

      I updated your link to an affiliate link. 🙂

      • Anthropolitan
        September 19, 2017 / 11:24 am

        OOooh, a short torso is good for me – totally getting this dress!!!

        I think this suede coat from the Anna Sui collection might be my Christmas present. it's sooo much nice in person, and the fit was amazing. https://www.macys.com/shop/product/anna-sui-loves

        • Christina
          September 19, 2017 / 10:51 pm

          I ordered the paisley dress a few days ago, Anthropolitan–when the sale first started. I'll let you know how it fits once I'm able to try it on. A short torso works better for me as well. Plus, the dress is made out of silk! Thank you, Roxy, for this post!

          • September 20, 2017 / 10:19 am

            Sweet, I'm excited to hear your take Christina!

  2. Amanda
    September 19, 2017 / 9:19 am

    I walked through a Banana Republic last week and there were very few things in the store that interested me. I don't get the wide sleeve trend and ruffles/bows don't look good on me. Plus, as you mention, the sizing is very strange in the pants and shirts are incredibly inconsistent.

    My spending at all the Gap stores (Banana, Old Navy and Gap) have all gone drastically down in the past couple years and the current season of clothes isn't going to change that.

    • September 19, 2017 / 9:25 am

      Yes, let there be no doubt that trying stuff on is pretty critical with BR. I figure that with this promo being online-only you have two options: 1 – go into the store to try stuff on and then order online or 2 – order what you want to try and return what doesn't work.

      I suppose there's a third option too: many times if you ask nicely the BR stores will apply the online discount to your in-store purchase. Not always.

      I'm with you on the quality taking a nose-dive at all the Gap brand stores, but I was pleasantly surprised by this BR stuff in the newest collection. Living in NYC helps because the stores are much better stocked here and between the many Manhattan locations we usually get all the capsules too. When I was in Colorado recently for example the stores there were so sparse. Not helpful to their cause.

    • Trixxie
      September 19, 2017 / 2:34 pm

      I feel the same way Amanda. The BR trench is cute but the sleeves are a dealbreaker for for me. I just don't understand the staying power of the bell sleeve trend…it already looks dated to me…and it's not flaring to a lot of figures. Ruffles, bows and OTS/ cold shoulder styles also need to go away.

  3. Katie
    September 19, 2017 / 10:53 am

    I started off this post skeptical, but wow you have a lot of pretty picks Roxy! Some of the prettiest products have awful reviews sadly but others have rave reviews. I'm definitely placing an order. I can return whatever doesn't work out.

    • Lolo
      September 19, 2017 / 10:56 am

      Agree! Never thought I'd say this but I love that floral camo coat with the fur collar and the Italian side tie coat.

      • Katie
        September 19, 2017 / 11:03 am

        Haha! It is something special.

        • Anonny
          September 19, 2017 / 11:06 am

          I like the Camo coat too. I'm trying to decide if it's special as in crazy or must-have.

          • September 19, 2017 / 12:03 pm

            I'm sure I will see it around NYC this Fall and Winter.

      • Anthropolitan
        September 19, 2017 / 12:30 pm

        I don't even like camo and I like that coat.

  4. Ele
    September 19, 2017 / 11:39 am

    Almost everything is polyester. I pass!

    • September 19, 2017 / 11:43 am

      That's to be expected at this price point, but I hear you!

    • Lori
      September 19, 2017 / 7:58 pm

      I agree, I never shop at BR because it is mostly poly. It looks like there are some cotton and silk options here which is good.

  5. Olivia_fan
    September 19, 2017 / 12:50 pm

    I have a girl crush on Olivia Palermo too! Her stuff last winter though, no. The quality was horrid. I was in BR last week and tried some of her new stuff on and it's way better this year. Poly yes but feels like silk, not as much itch factor on the coats and better cuts. I am 5'10" and usually a size 2 or 4 but with a bit of a bigger rump, lol. I usually have to size up in her stuff to a 6.

    This post is great. So many pretty things I hadn't noticed before. My cart is pretty full now, sigh. ?

  6. lulu
    September 19, 2017 / 2:33 pm

    Hmm, I might check it out. I was so disgusted by the appalling quality and inconsistent sizing of their clothes about 2 years ago that I stopped going into their stores. I also can't get my head around the fact that they constantly have a 40% off sale in effect. Why not just price the clothes accordingly?

    • Stefanie
      September 19, 2017 / 6:44 pm

      Agree. I had boots in my cart that I specifically waited to purchase until they were 40% off. Same with gap and old navy. NPFP ( never. Pay. Full. Price). And what's with the occasional exclusions? I'll just wait or not buy at all. Stupid!
      I ordered the tall block heel boot in black and I think I'm going to order the pleated off the shoulder maxi dress as well as the pleated bell sleeve top in golden lichen. That color is to die for!!!

      • September 19, 2017 / 9:57 pm

        That golden color is major ???

  7. sophiaberry
    September 19, 2017 / 9:59 pm

    I’m loving the color palettes I see in the collection! I’m more of a blue-green-pink girl but I’m finding myself drawn to the reds and cheetahs here.

    Thanks for this post Roxy! Banana Republic hasn’t been on my shopping radar in over a year.

    • September 19, 2017 / 10:22 pm

      Mine either! Nice to see them getting back to cute work stuff.


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