I walked past the Banana Republic store in The Gardens about a week ago, and literally did a double take. I know many people find Banana Republic’s clothes boring. Well, I like them because they are boring :P But they are also wearable and comfortable. But what made my head swivel around was the poster for the Mad Men Collection.
I’ve never watched Mad Men but I’ve seen images around of the fashion from the show, and I like what I see. I also liked what I saw in Banana Republic because dammit! These are dresses and clothes I’d wear! I also think the cut classic :)
Here are some items I picked out from the Banana Republic Mad Men Collection that I liked and I went to try them in store too.
The dresses! I love the dresses – the flowy skirts, the fitted shifts. I like them all!
Left: Cream Lace Dress Right: Houndstooth print shift dress
We only get the lace dress in cream and the cut runs big. I liked how this looked on actually with a string of pearls and nude pumps. The Houndstooth print dress is very nice too. The skirt is heavy tweed while the top is a light silk so its very different textures. It holds you at all the right curves but I have a weird body so when the skirt fit, the top was too long and loose so it did not look nice on me. Boo! Otherwise, its sexy :P
Left: Print dress Right: Dress with cowl neck and lace trim
We get the dress with the red flowers which isn’t bad but I did not try it on because I prefer the look of the navy. The black dress on the right is a right stunner. But we do not get it in black, just olive. The dress has lace trim along the bottom like a peekaboo petticoat, and lace trim along the sides of the neckline, rather like as if a camisole is showing. Its super sexy and when worn is figure hugging and very nice. Sadly however, I fell prey to the perils of having hips :P The dress that draped well at the neckline pulled at the hips and the one that fit the hips did not look nice at the cowl neckline. I would have plonked down money for this otherwise.
I also liked the school marmish cardigan over dress/blouse look. I think with the right accessories, its actually sexy school marm not just plain school marm ;)
I love the animal print cardigan because its a little unexpected since its not in very loud prints or animal colours. I rather like the ensemble and that ribbon tie blouse on the left too. The blouse on the left is very nice in real life, and in navy is lovely and comfortable in silk. I may get it :P The tafetta dress shown on the right made me look fat :P But its a cute party dress because it has a can can and all and that leopard print cardi is really cute in real life!
And speaking of animal prints, I absolutely adore this leopard print trench coat!
They carry it here too and its actually a light coat. I thought it looks different from the regular animal print coats and less obvious. Its also a nice neutral shade that can go with most, but would be best suited for an early autumn. You’d freeze to death otherwise.
Above everything else, I’m also loving the red lips. If I end up with nothing from the Banana Republic Mad Men collection, I know I will, at least, have the red lips down pat ;)
Are you eyeing anything from the collection? Or perhaps you already own something? :)
Paris B
*Images from BananaRepublic.com
I’ve got my eye set on that black dress! Now to keep my fingers crossed and hope it goes on sale =p Other than their Mad Men collection, I’m lusting after their classic trench in navy blue! Not too fond of that leopard print trench coat though as I know I wouldn’t be able to pull it off =(
The leopard print trench is really light – I was so surprised to see it in store and it doesn’t look as good as in the photos. I hope the dress goes on sale so you can pick it up ;) No hope for that happening here since I can’t wear it anyway – darn these hips! :P
No, you don’t have a weird body. The American brand just doesn’t suit Asian peitites. When I shop for dresses in ny, the dresses often have too big arm holes and bust line while everything else fits.
Sadly you are absolutely right. I need my torso to grow 1 inch upwards and for my boobs to grow for everything to fit :P
Oooh, I LOVE Banana Republic!! I have a few dresses from BR, which I absolutely LOVE! My favorites (from your selections) are the cream lace dress and the black cowl neck dress. My dress size in GAP and BR is S!!! Can you believe it??!! :P
haha! I love the vanity sizing in US brands :P I always just head for the small sizes and voila! Perfect fit! :D
I love the black dress, but there’s no Banana Republics close by for me :(
Oh darn :( If its any consolation, it doesn’t quite look as wonderful in real life as in the picture :)
OMG I love this collection. I actually want the Houndstooth dress, but where would I wear it to? It looks too business like for me. >.<
It actually looks a bit dressy and less businesslike in real life :) The top has a sheen to it, and it is really a very sleek classic cut. I only wish I could wear it :(
Paris, sorry this is off-topic, but I’m curious to see how your Cambridge Satchel has fared after a year.
Hi AJ I only used it for a few months at a go so its fared very well – no major scratches/loss of colour etc. It looks pretty much pristine except the shoulder strap and the buckle straps have softened a little.
I agree with Shay that you might have a petite body. I have the same problem with clothes from Europe and US as well. The dresses or shirts have waistlines that go down to my hips and the neckline is always too low. I think Banana Republic also has a petite line but I don’t know if it’s available in Malaysia.
The body type might be different. I find their clothes more suited to apple shape.
Actually its because my body proportions are a little off – shorter body than legs so tops don’t fit as well as bottoms :) Oh and boob area too :P Thanks for letting me know about the Banana Republic Petite line – I’ll go look it up! :D
I loved this collection. I want the houndstooth dress but I’m going to look too dressed up for playgroups. LOL And the trench coat! If I knew I would have use for it, I’d buy it right away.
Forgot to say – how much is that guy in the poster? Does he come FOC if I purchase say…. RM500 worth of BR clothes from the collection?
Ah I wish! I looked in store but none were for sale
Erm there’s always those Spring visits back to ye olde England ;) Although its probably too light :P
hahah oh dear, I dress like this damned near all the time don’t I? And since I source the look for around RM15 I’m not crying for the Mad Men collection. Great for inspiration though, and I love that grey cardi with the Aryan knit arms… But I do wonder why the houndstooth dress looks so much better in the ad then it does on the catalogue model.
It actually looks better in the ad than in real life. Not to say that it looked bad, but it was a little disappointing because I didn’t realize that the texture of the bottom half was so much heavier than the top which is a light silk. Still, its pretty good looking once on.
Stunning collection!!
Very much so :) And inspiring too!
I really like the clothes, but they are a bit too formal for me. Guess I’m a contemporary girl!
Ah for the luxury of not having to dress up for work eh? :D Actually if I wore these to work, I’d be turning a few heads. I’m usually quite dressed down.
Classic cuts are definitely in, and for work events, BR never fails me :)
Ah you’re petite Reese! How do you find a cut that suits you? I struggle like mad in BR so I end up with separates most of the time.
Petite? Moi? I usually go for the smallest size :P. Your size is definitely smaller than me.
Yes you lah :P I can’t wear the smallest size anymore boohoo :P
You should definitely watch Mad Men, it’s amazing ;) I found it a bit boring at first but then loved it after a few episodes.
Ah I’ll need to *ahem* get my hands on some cds I guess *ahem* ;)
LOL! I did the same the other day when I was in The Gardens and passed by Banana Republic store. I turned back and went into the store to check these clothes out too.
Oh cool! Did you pick anything up? :)