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Over the last couple years, your local shopping mall—that oft-overlooked bastion of Panda Express combo meals and indoor fountains—has become an unlikely epicenter of estimable, affordable menswear. At J.Crew, Noah founder Brendon Babenzien's giant chino revolution is well under way. Abercrombie & Fitch, once famed for its crass shirtless greeters, is now perhaps best known for its elegant $50 knit polos. And now, at long last, Banana Republic—long the most bland and forgettable of the mall-brand bunch—has joined the fray of seriously stylish nationwide chains.
Or, sort of, anyway. Shopping at Banana Republic can still be a hit-or-miss affair—especially online, where the brand's site remains tricky to navigate and the styling in the product photography often leaves a lot to be desired. But when BR's stuff hits—that is, when it leans into its adventure-outfitter heritage and draws directly from its gold mine of an archive—it really, really hits. You just need to know what to look for: the types of products Banana Republic tends to do best, say, and the best versions of those products they currently have in stock.
Which, as it happens, is what this article is all about. Here's your roadmap for shopping at Banana Republic effectively and sharply—from a supple suede bomber to an endlessly versatile denim shirt. Don't forget to grab an Orange Julius on your way back to the parking lot.
Leather Jackets
Scoring a great leather jacket under $1,000 is tough business. Or it used to be, anyway, before Banana Republic decided to corner the market. We've long been fans of the venerable chain's A-lister-approved suede trucker jacket, but it also stocks a killer selection of slick, wallet-friendly flight jackets, bombers, and belted field coats.
Westernwear
As the Yeehaw Agenda has taken hold in menswear of late, Banana Republic has proved a fertile and reliable source of genuinely good cowboy clothes. The snap-front western shirts, in particular, are flatteringly cut from rugged fabrics, and will look damn good alongside a pair of bootcut Wranglers or tucked in with a breezy summer suit.
Workwear
Banana Republic's take on workwear is built tough, as it should be, but it's also just a pinch more refined than your run-of-the-mill Dickies or Carhartt gear. We're especially taken with the pleated, wide-legged denim chinos—which look like the kind of grail you'd find in a dusty Parisian vintage store—and a big-collared, '70s-ish take on the classic Harrington jacket.
Knits
When I was 12 or so, I had this one purple Banana Republic V-neck that I called my “nice” sweater. I'd wear it out to fancy dinners with my parents or on those weird middle school movie nights where you go see, like, Mr. Deeds with nine other kids and maybe, if you're lucky, you kiss your crush while you're waiting to get picked up. Anyway: Banana Republic, still a great place to buy a nice sweater! The brand's spin on the always-hot long-sleeve polo is made from smooth, luxurious cashmere, and its cozy cable-knit turtleneck would look right at home in the wardrobe of Harry Burns.
Bottoms
When you think Banana Republic, this is probably what comes to mind first, right? Chinos and shorts. And the shop continues to turns out great options of each. The shorts hit that perfect mid-thigh length you're looking for, and come in an array of crisp, lightweight linens and cottons. You need to exercise slightly more caution with the pants selection: many of BR's trousers still feature a datedly slim cut, but there are a handful of relaxed silhouettes in the mix—like the two we've highlighted here—that feel bang-on for 2023.
Sale Finds
My age-32 equivalent of my age-12 nice sweater is probably this double-breasted corduroy suit, which I found in the Banana Republic sale section a few months ago for a pittance and has since earned me more compliments from strangers than just about anything I own. Now you, too, can uncover your own smash-hit Banana Republic deals—whether you're looking to take a big swing on an outdoorsy, Engineered Garments-adjacent vest or step up your tie rotation with a flex-worthy foulard number.
