The GQ Guide to Shopping Banana Republic in 2024
GQ RecommendsJust when you think you're out, they (swaggering knit polos, vintage Armani-adjacent trousers) pull you back in.By Reed Nelson and Gerald OrtizOctober 30, 2024Save this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.For those that haven’t checked GQ.com recently, Banana Republic is, quite simply, very good again. There are multiple reasons for the brand's resurgence, but the short version goes like this: a couple of years ago, the big-box retailer started mining its storied archive, embraced the styles that made it a household name in the first place, applied some of the world’s finest fabrics to those exact styles, and proceeded to drop a whole slew of them every season since.These days, the brand shows no sign of easing up. Looking for some Rat Pack-worthy polos in surprisingly luxe blends? Banana Republic has you covered. Voluminous pleated trousers with just the right kind of drape? Ditto. Summer knits that will age infinitely better than the weekend decisions you make while wearing them? A seemingly endless supply, each rendered in more dazzling fabrications than the last.PRODUCT QUICK LINK LISTThe Grandad-Approved Cardigan: Ribbed Bouclé Polo Cardigan, $150The IMAX Format Trousers: Signature Italian Hopsack Wide-Leg Pant, $220The Noir Film Topcoat: Italian Herringbone Balmacaan Coat, $450The All-Occasions Suit Jacket: Signature Italian Rustico Suit Jacket, $450 $315The Perfect Casual Blazer: Relaxed Nubuck Leather Blazer, $600The Paul Bunyan Plaid Flannel: Flannel Utility Shirt, $90The Fuzzy Feelings Sweater: Relaxed Brushed Cashmere Crewneck Sweater, $300Luxurious KnitsWe’ve been consistently impressed with Banana Republic’s knitwear program and it’s undoubtedly among the best things that the brand has to offer. Spring and summer saw a handful of cotton and linen heaters, a handful of which you would have spotted on a few GQ staffers. This time around, it’s all about cashmere, merino, in all manners of styles from brushed knits that Cobain would’ve crushed to thick-gauge crewnecks and turtlenecks begging to be taken to a ski lodge.Banana RepublicBrushed Cashmere Polo Cardigan$280 Banana RepublicBanana RepublicRelaxed Brushed Cashmere Crew-Neck Sweater$300 Banana RepublicBanana RepublicRibbed Merino Half-Zip Sweater$180 Banana RepublicBanana RepublicAlpaca-Wool Blend Crew-Neck Sweater$120 Banana RepublicArmani-Adjacent TrousersIf you worship at the altar of ‘90s-era Armani, you could expend a lot of energy tracking down the real deal on the vintage market—or you could just scoop a pair of BR’s relaxed pleated trousers, which feel steeped in the Italian maestro's louche swagger. Banana Republic still makes plenty of down-the-middle chinos, but its selection of dressier pants might be its most compelling foray into capital-M Menswear.Banana RepublicVelvet Suit Pant$180 Banana RepublicBanana RepublicSignature Italian Flannel Wide-Leg Pant$220 Banana RepublicBanana RepublicSignature Italian Rustico Suit Pant$200 $140 Banana RepublicBanana RepublicSignature Italian Hopsack Wide-Leg Pant$220 Banana RepublicPitch-Perfect PolosWe like knit polos, you like knit polos, Jacob Elordi really likes knit polos. And so does Banana Republic, which sells a murderer's row of 'em in basically every permutation imaginable. From long-sleeve cashmere-silk joints that feel exactly like you’d imagine that combination would feel to one of the most robust collection of short-sleeved linen-forward options on the market, there’s really no wrong turn to be made if you’re trying to break of a style rut—and virtually none of them will break the bank.Banana RepublicCotton Sweater Polo$100 Banana RepublicBanana RepublicBrushed Cashmere Sweater Polo$250 Banana RepublicBanana RepublicRibbed Bouclé Polo Cardigan$150 Banana RepublicBanana RepublicWool-Cashmere Sweater Polo$200 Banana RepublicFall-Flavored ShirtsWhile we loved Banana Republic’s cadre of lightweight linen shirts for spring and summer, we might love their beefier fall shirting even more. Think of fluffy brushed flannels, sultry corduroys and burly denim, all packaged together in an autumnal variety pack that can pack in some serious flavor for your cool-weather fits. The only bad thing about Banana’s collection of fall shirts is that you’ll want to show them off, even when the weather calls for you to layer up.Banana RepublicRelaxed Denim Overshirt$100 Banana RepublicBanana RepublicFlannel Utility Shirt$90 Banana RepublicBanana RepublicHeavyweight Flannel Overshirt$120 Banana RepublicBanana RepublicLightweight Corduroy Shirt$80 Banana RepublicMegawatt Leather JacketsThis isn’t the first time we’ve waxed poetic about BR's suede trucker jackets, and it probably won’t be our last—as long as the brand keeps making ‘em, we’ll keep talking ‘em up. The suede is supple, the cut is just right, and the whole shebang looks a lot more expensive than it is. These days, though, they
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
For those that haven’t checked GQ.com recently, Banana Republic is, quite simply, very good again. There are multiple reasons for the brand's resurgence, but the short version goes like this: a couple of years ago, the big-box retailer started mining its storied archive, embraced the styles that made it a household name in the first place, applied some of the world’s finest fabrics to those exact styles, and proceeded to drop a whole slew of them every season since.
These days, the brand shows no sign of easing up. Looking for some Rat Pack-worthy polos in surprisingly luxe blends? Banana Republic has you covered. Voluminous pleated trousers with just the right kind of drape? Ditto. Summer knits that will age infinitely better than the weekend decisions you make while wearing them? A seemingly endless supply, each rendered in more dazzling fabrications than the last.
PRODUCT QUICK LINK LIST
- The Grandad-Approved Cardigan: Ribbed Bouclé Polo Cardigan, $150
- The IMAX Format Trousers: Signature Italian Hopsack Wide-Leg Pant, $220
- The Noir Film Topcoat: Italian Herringbone Balmacaan Coat, $450
- The All-Occasions Suit Jacket: Signature Italian Rustico Suit Jacket,
$450$315 - The Perfect Casual Blazer: Relaxed Nubuck Leather Blazer, $600
- The Paul Bunyan Plaid Flannel: Flannel Utility Shirt, $90
- The Fuzzy Feelings Sweater: Relaxed Brushed Cashmere Crewneck Sweater, $300
Luxurious Knits
We’ve been consistently impressed with Banana Republic’s knitwear program and it’s undoubtedly among the best things that the brand has to offer. Spring and summer saw a handful of cotton and linen heaters, a handful of which you would have spotted on a few GQ staffers. This time around, it’s all about cashmere, merino, in all manners of styles from brushed knits that Cobain would’ve crushed to thick-gauge crewnecks and turtlenecks begging to be taken to a ski lodge.
Armani-Adjacent Trousers
If you worship at the altar of ‘90s-era Armani, you could expend a lot of energy tracking down the real deal on the vintage market—or you could just scoop a pair of BR’s relaxed pleated trousers, which feel steeped in the Italian maestro's louche swagger. Banana Republic still makes plenty of down-the-middle chinos, but its selection of dressier pants might be its most compelling foray into capital-M Menswear.
Pitch-Perfect Polos
We like knit polos, you like knit polos, Jacob Elordi really likes knit polos. And so does Banana Republic, which sells a murderer's row of 'em in basically every permutation imaginable. From long-sleeve cashmere-silk joints that feel exactly like you’d imagine that combination would feel to one of the most robust collection of short-sleeved linen-forward options on the market, there’s really no wrong turn to be made if you’re trying to break of a style rut—and virtually none of them will break the bank.
Fall-Flavored Shirts
While we loved Banana Republic’s cadre of lightweight linen shirts for spring and summer, we might love their beefier fall shirting even more. Think of fluffy brushed flannels, sultry corduroys and burly denim, all packaged together in an autumnal variety pack that can pack in some serious flavor for your cool-weather fits. The only bad thing about Banana’s collection of fall shirts is that you’ll want to show them off, even when the weather calls for you to layer up.
Megawatt Leather Jackets
This isn’t the first time we’ve waxed poetic about BR's suede trucker jackets, and it probably won’t be our last—as long as the brand keeps making ‘em, we’ll keep talking ‘em up. The suede is supple, the cut is just right, and the whole shebang looks a lot more expensive than it is. These days, though, they’re just the tip of the extra-supple, beautifully-burnished iceberg. If a trucker isn't your vibe, try a very The Bikeriders-coded moto jacket instead.
Savvy Tailoring
As the buttoned-up big brother of Gap, Banana Republic’s got a slate of suits and tailoring well worth considering for your next wedding, if not adding into your existing tailoring roster. With an emphasis on renowned Italian fabric mills, BR boasts some of the best bang-for-your-buck when it comes to tailoring. You won’t find Savile Row levels of suiting here. But you will find that the gap between the two is smaller than you’d expect.
Drama-Packed Outerwear
One of the greatest joys of dressing has to be outerwear. It’s the first layer people see and effectively the first impression, so it’d better be a memorable one. It’s a good thing Banana Republic has an all-star collection of head-turning outerwear. With billowy macs, blizzard-busting peacoats, and sheepskin joints that would easily fit into Bane’s wardrobe, the mall stalwart can flip your fits from banal to paparazzi-worthy.
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