Banana republic shirts - vulgar?

[gregory]

Am I the only one who finds Banana Republic "dress" shirts horribly vulgar? http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse....ry=1005 Look at them. Do they look much different from those shown in decrepit mom-and-pop stores in downtown Manhattan under florecent lamps? I mean: I don't think they're suitable to be worn to any but the crassest of events. And yet BR continues to fool thousands of clueless wearers into believing that they are the epitome of taste and urban sophistication.

 

[Sevcom]

Some of them aren't bad, though the paisleys and especially the bias-cut shirts (why, oh why?) are pure Am.Jackass. Some of the shirts are decently made, with MOP buttons, but they're not nearly as slim as they look on the model, obviously.

The regular, non-crazy-candy-striped shirts are decent enough though, especially when at a hefty discount.

 

[Andrew V.]

Yes, some of them are quite garish. And I work part-time at a BR and am wearing a BR stretch poplin shirt today.

The most garish ones are mostly among the $78 and $98 lines. The $68 mostly have more restrained patterns and colors, but they are horribly baggy. I wish that BR would combine the $68 colors/patterns with the closer fit of the $78/$98 shirts.

In case you were wondering, the $68 ones are supposed to be for work, hence the "traditional" (read: baggy) fit, while the $78 shirts and $98 shirts (a steep $98 because they are the "luxe" line as opposed to the mere "premium" ones) are intended as "going-out" shirts.

 

[gregory]

the $78 shirts and $98 shirts (a steep $98 because they are the "luxe" line as opposed to the mere "premium" ones) are intended as "going-out" shirts.

The problem is that I can't conceive of any where to which I could wear those shirts. I remember a time when BR shirts were more subtle and understated.

 

[drizzt3117]

I have a couple BR dress shirts, however, they are mostly marine or french blue, and have generally held up quite well after a few wearings. They were generally $30 or so, marked down from $100 or so, after a couple rounds of discounts. The striped ones, can be very hideous.

 

[Horace]

Am I the only one who finds Banana Republic "dress" shirts horribly vulgar? http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse....ry=1005 Look at them. Do they look much different from those shown in decrepit mom-and-pop stores in downtown Manhattan under florecent lamps? I mean: I don't think they're suitable to be worn to any but the crassest of events. And yet BR continues to fool thousands of clueless wearers into believing that they are the epitome of taste and urban sophistication.

I don't know that their vulgar. But I am not too impressed with them for the money. I was given a few for Christmas by an aquaintance. I've worn them rarely, so I was actually gathering them up to give to goodwill. I hate the damn two button on cuff thing. I guess this is for sizing. I just think that for US$100, you could do a lot better, like a Gitman or Talbot.

 

[GreyFlannelMan]

I was given a colorful striped BR shirt this past Christmas. Aside from the aforementioned fit, I actually think that the shirt is rather well made.  The patterns may not be everyone's cup of tea (and looking at some of those featured on the first page of the web link provided, many of them are not mine), but I think they offer a nice alternative to the standard white or blue button down shirt.  In NY, I have seen these worn tieless under a suit or with jeans, tucked or untucked.

 

[benchan]

And yet BR continues to fool thousands of clueless wearers into believing that they are the epitome of taste and urban sophistication.

Quite the contrary, I think many BR buyers know what they are getting. For them, BR's pieces are already an upgrade to their current wardrobe.

And about the design of those BR shirts, some offerings from Tommy Hilfiger and H Hilfiger are similar. Not flattering in my opinion, but don't just single out BR.

 

[stache]

I don't know that their vulgar. But I am not too impressed with them for the money. I was given a few for Christmas by an aquaintance. I've worn them rarely, so I was actually gathering them up to give to goodwill.

I just think that for US$100, you could do a lot better, like a Gitman or Talbot.[/quote]
I agree. I got one as a freebie last year and was able to exchange it for a very nice linen jacket on markdown. The pricing at that chain doesn't make much sense.

 

[rlevine]

During sales times you can get some very good values at the store without much effort. There's always lots of stuff in every size on sale, especially at the end of the season, and they allow you to apply coupons to sale items. So you could potentially get 20% off a price that is already 80% off.

 

[dusty]

Vulgar? Yes. I suppose some of them are alright, but look at this crap: http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse....gory=10

 

[drizzt3117]

I don't think there's anything wrong with say, this shirt, which I own, and IMO the quality is pretty decent, although Express' new line of non-Iron shirts can be had for $12-15 right now and is extremely nice (better than this BR shirt) http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse....5281601

 

[gregory]

I don't think there's anything wrong with say, this shirt, which I own, and IMO the quality is pretty decent, although Express' new line of non-Iron shirts can be had for $12-15 right now and is extremely nice (better than this BR shirt) http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse....5281601

Not to worry. Just hang out at StyleForum a bit more often. There's still hope for you.

 

[Andrew V.]

Well I bought this one today: http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse....=100503 Feel free to comment on it. Just remember that I did not pay full price.

 

[amirrorcrackd]

Well I bought this one today: http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse....=100503 Feel free to comment on it. Â Just remember that I did not pay full price.

I like it. Dan