Welcome to Let's Get a Room, a series where editor Eliza Huber heads to the dressing room to try on pieces from your favorite retailers, buzzy items, and new collections. Think of this column as a detailed guide to the pieces that are actually worth buying and the ones that, unfortunately, looked better online—no returns necessary.
As much as I'd like to spend all of my free time shopping at every retailer and on every website, I have work to do, errands to run, and people to see, hindering me from getting in as much retail therapy as I need. Because of that, I sometimes can't give as much attention as I'd like to certain brands, resulting in me forgetting just how elite their selections can be. Lately, though, I've been adamant about attacking this issue head-on. My first stop? Banana Republic, a brand that doesn't get nearly enough credit for its affordable yet dangerously expensive-looking selection of anti-trend pieces that could easily live indefinitely in your wardrobe.
An installation at the front of the store by Mexico-based artist Angela Damman.
A carefully curated selection of vintage Banana Republic items for men and women from the 1980s and '90s.
A look inside the Penthouse, which is located on the second floor of the SoHo store.
To start, I've always been a fan of the San Francisco–based brand, especially its expansive vintage archive. Up until last week, I had been a tad ignorant to its more modern offering. Sure, I've scanned the website a handful of times for work, but what I hadn't done is get up close and personal with Banana Republic's pieces. When I received a press release about the opening of the brand's new SoHo flagship, I knew I had to check it out.
Located on Broadway between Prince and Spring Streets, the two-story, 17,000-square-foot store is nothing short of a safe haven from Manhattan's busiest shopping district. Inside, everything is curated to perfection, from the furniture to the fashion, which includes both new-season pieces and vintage items from the '80s and '90s. Upstairs, there's a space referred to as the Penthouse, which I happily took over one morning to familiarize myself with everything Banana Republic has to offer. Scroll down for a firsthand look at all 20 of the items I tried on, from easy basics like white trousers and button-down shirts to dresses and skirts that are guaranteed to win you compliment after compliment.
The 20 best Banana Republic items to shop, according to an editor who tried them on:
Even though I'm very prone to spilling, I still gravitate toward all-white outfits whenever the temperature goes up in NYC. When I spotted this billowy white poplin shirt on the first floor, I knew I had to find a pair of white jeans or trousers to style with it. I lucked out when I spotted a pair of carpenter-style jeans, adding them to the dressing room immediately. I ended up going with a larger size so that the bottoms would be extra relaxed and comfy, styling the shirt-and-pants combo with a super-luxurious cognac-colored oversize bag and white flat leather slides.
I really had no choice but to add both the shirt and pants into my personal wardrobe after seeing them together. I know that I'll wear them as a pair on a regular basis this summer and beyond but also style them separately in countless ways.
SHOP THE LOOK:
I'm usually such a "washed-out vintage denim" person, but lately, darker trouser-like styles have been causing my eyes to stray away from their normal targets. I spotted this wide-leg pair downstairs and knew I wanted to take them for a spin, throwing on a sleeveless tee that's buttery soft and lays really beautifully on the body. Silk scarves are one of my top accessories this summer, so I added one to the look in the form of a bandana to add some excitement and tossed on some black slides and a matching mini bag.
I spotted this knee-length topcoat made of an elegant silky-twill fabric on my way to the dressing room and knew I had to find an outfit to style it with. I love how the color perfectly matches the scarf I picked, so I threw it on, and it did wonders for completing this whole ensemble.
SHOP THE LOOK:
If you know me at all, then you're well aware that cashmere is my kryptonite, even in the summer when it's hotter than a Y7 class outside. No matter the temperature, I'll find a way to incorporate the super-soft fabric into my outfit, throwing a knit over my shoulders or tying one around my waist. Here, I combined an especially lovely navy-blue polo-neck cashmere sweater with a classic pair of white linen pants for an ensemble fit for a weekend in Martha's Vineyard.
If it was especially hot, I'd probably take this knit and throw it over my shoulders with a white boyfriend tee tucked into these same pants. Maybe I'd add a belt to the mix to create a look of dimension in the midsection.
SHOP THE LOOK:
A white poplin skirt is all I really want to wear right now. It's not just me—I swear that my IG and TikTok feeds are entirely made up of fashion people across Europe wearing A-line poplin skirts with tanks, tees, bikini tops, the works. Because of that, I knew I had to try on this Banana Republic version when I saw it hanging in the brand's new store. Given that it's selling out very quickly, I was right to do so.
First, I styled it with a simple knit tank top for something easy and warm weather appropriate. To make the look more versatile, I also shot the skirt with a cool, cropped khaki jacket.
SHOP THE LOOK:
Who doesn't want to slip on a poplin spaghetti-strap sundress on a hot day and basically be done—no real effort required? An easy dress like this one that I found on a BR rack has the ability to solve all of your dressing-related problems in the summertime. It's airy, comfortable, and chic at the same time.
To just stylize this dress a touch more, I threw on some luxe white leather slides and a big raffia shoulder bag that makes toting everything you could ever need look surprisingly chic.
SHOP THE LOOK:
Last but certainly not least, I put together my best The Talented Mr. Ripley ensemble including a trusty white linen shirt tucked into a pair of barrel-leg chinos. From there, I added a black Western-inspired belt, an oversize black bag, and matching slides. If you like linen shirts as much as I do, this is one you really have to buy. I'm picky about linen and find that it can sometimes be rough, overly synthetic, and a bit see-through, so when I tell you that this one is elite and worth shopping for, I mean it.
If you love barrel-leg jeans, then these trousers will be a perfect addition to your summer wardrobe. They're lightweight and comfortable, so consider them a good alternative for said denim on those days when it's too warm to wear a full-length pair of jeans.
SHOP THE LOOK:
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