Casual Pencils And Modern Red Cravings

I have been meaning to post these Banana Republic reviews a while ago but I never got to it. Fortunately, almost everything is still available on the website and some items are on sale. Banana is running some kind of promotion almost constantly, so once something is on sale, it gets to be dirt cheap sometimes since they will allow to stack sale price + 40% off + 25% extra + any reward cards you may have.

Chino pencil skirt

I was looking for late summer/early fall alternative to a typical J.Crew pencil skirt. Something that I could wear on Fridays or weekends, that would feel comfortable, but still looked good. I thought this chino skirt was a good option. It fits TTS, I took my regular Banana skirt size 6. The fabric is substantial but it drapes well. It has a very casual vibe (like a denim skirt) that would easily go with any t-shirt and sandals. Because it is pretty substantial it would transition well into the fall. The price is reasonable, especially if you can get it with a discount (40%?). It appears to be selling well, because only few sizes are still available online. I am not surprised, becasue it is very versatile and I think it fits well with Banan Republic customer's esthetic. I was considering buying the skirt with my 40% off coupon but I thought that my J.Crew Cavalry skirt fulfills a very similar function and I don;t wear it enough.

Size 6 is just right

Too similar to Cavalry?

Like this color

 

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Size 4 and it just fits

I cannot find this Heritage skirt on the website. I believe it it was $69. It sat higher on the waist than the chino skirt and the 4 was borderline tight. I would prefer a 6 (which they did not have) to have a little more room, although an SA tried to convince me that the 4 was just fine and that a 6 would be shapeless. I liked the color of this skirt better than the khaki of the chino skirt, it appears similar in the pictures but it was more brown and less military. I liked the Heritage skirt better on a hanger but I liked the fit of the chino skirt way more.

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Rolled short

When you look at my blog you may get the impression that I am always in skirts and dresses but the truth is that in the summer I wear them to work and to go out, but the minute I get home, I change into shorts. I have several pairs of shorts and I did not want to buy anything new this summer since I already bougth the mini apple shorts and replacement white chino shorts. However, I have been tempted by the shade of modern red, just did not want to spend too much on it. I thought these shorts were down to $24.99, so with additional 40% + 25% off they would be very inexpensive. I liked the shape of them, the inseam and the pockets and I think they fit similar to J.Crew 5" chino shorts but the fabric is a little thicker in BR ones. The color is very pretty and I pictured wearing them with navy stripes and other t-shirts.

Unfortunately, at that time they were not on sale and I decided to pass.

Size 6 fits TTS to large for Banana

I like the pockets

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Button-front long cardigan

I saw this cardigan on an SA and it looked very pretty with jeans and polka dotted Natasha blouse she was wearing (yes, from J.Crew!) and I wanted to recreate this look. This cardi feels very good on and it fits TTS. I tried on a Medium and it was just right, slightly oversized but not too slouchy, I think an M would have been too tight. I liked it a lot but I am a very rational shopper outside of J.Crew.  Since I wasn't sure about it, I left it behind.

Size Medium TTS

Like the color and shape

Looks good open

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Cap sleeve ponte knit dress

I have tried this dress before but they did not have the correct size in navy. It seems like the navy is tighter fitting and shorter than the orange version, and while 6 was a good fit on me in orange, I prefered an 8 in navy.

This dress fits very nicely and looks pretty but the knit is very substantial, so I didn't know how much use I would get out of it. I deliberated a little, but again, I decided to leave it behind. The dress was stunning in orange but I don;t think I would wear it to work and it felt too constricting to wear on a summer date. The navy I could easily wear to the office but it wasn;t as exciting.

Size 8

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That's all folks!

Did you take advantage of Banana 40% off coupons or other offerings?

Please share, it would be no fun without you!!!