Convenient, one-stop shopping for those who want pieces with long shelf lives.

by Contributor

In Short
Epitomizing office casual wear, Banana Republic started out as a small vendor of safari-inspired clothing before it was purchased by the Gap in 1983. Since then, it has grown into a brand-name behemoth that one-ups the Gap in quality, status and price--but not necessarily creativity. The core of the collection is constant: versatile staples such as khakis, button-down shirts, denim, T-shirts and jackets in solid, organic colors. Lengths and fabrics change slightly according to the season. Some stores have expanded into bedding, fragrance, bath and beauty, and home-furnishing lines.

07/19/02

Beautiful clothes for real-sized women

by MaggieC529

Banana Republic is one of the best stores out there. I live in New York and Houston depending on the time of year, and can honestly say that BR continues to prove itself year after year. Their clothes keep up with fast-paced fashion trends at either end of the nation. They do a wonderful job in keeping up with the latest looks and creating new, inventive styles of their own. Their clothes are made in great sizes that fit a woman's body in the way that proper clothes should. I have numerous pieces from BR and am complimented on them constantly.

• Pros: They're everywhere
• Cons: Many women shop there