Photojournalist’s Vest
The Photojournalist Vest was staple of Banana Republic until well-past the catalog era. What’s most surprising to me is that there were catalogs when it WASN’T included. (Spring-Fall 1986) It is ubiquitous on eBay to this day, as many were sold and they never wore out.
Version One
Version One of the vest debuted in the Holiday 1983 catalogue (above) and was discontinued in Spring 1985 when it was listed as a Safari Vest in the same catalog as Version 2 of the Photojournalist Vest (Outback). It’s distinguished by the vertical stitching on the shoulders and has fewer pockets.
Version Two
Version 2 was only produced in 1985 and was originally called the “Outback” Photojournalist Vest (Spring 1985). It was last seen in the 1985 Holiday catalog. It is distinguished by strong horizontal stitching on the shoulders and had 15 pockets.
Version Three
Version 3 was introduced in Fall 1986 (Spring and Summer 1986 had no PJV). It is distinguished by the press credentials window pocket on the right breast as well as the split in the middle of the back and is lined with a heavy mesh. It has 22 pockets. Fittingly, the final catalog, Fall Update 88 shows the vest as SOLD OUT. It is BY FAR the most common of the three on the current after market. A dark variation has been seen but is not catalogued.
Post Catalog Era
Other versions of the vest followed after the catalog era was over. This one from the early 90s seems like a blend of versions 2 and 3 and I’ve seen it with both the Travel and Safari Tag as well as the early 90s tag. It featured interesting diagrams of the vest pockets on the inside front of the vest.
The vest was duplicated (superficially, if not to the same standards) by modern BR in the 2000s. You’ll find it with a black label and note it has three key ring hooks.
This version was worn by Terry O’Quinn as John Locke on ABC’s LOST in the fantastic first season episode “Walkabout”.
Image from the Lost Prop and Costumes Auction
Wow, so many memories, I use to receive this catalog on a regular basis. I still have a PJ Vest, as well as an almost identical knockoff from camera bag maker, Domke. Too bad BR could not maintain that “safari/adventurer” vibe, it was one of the few clothing stores that I actually enjoyed visiting.
Thanks for this blog.
Best,
Thomas
Ditto! One of the great mysteries in life. Successful things that have been abandoned. Something that l have never understood.
I have a V3 vest I picked up about a year before BR was sold to the Gap.
The plastic window deteriorated and was removed.
Right after BR was sold Eddie Bower had exact copies but in assorted colors.
I was also given a Field and Steam copy that I gave to a photographer friend.
WOW!!! Didn’t know this site existed! My ex-wife and I started getting their catalogs in the early 80’s. After we split and they opened a store here in 1989 I started buying most of my clothes there. Their original Kansas City store on the Country Club Plaza was such a trip! Absolutely crammed with racks and 40’s music playing constantly. My pieces from those times are still my favorites, and still in great shape (although some are now too small☹️). It was a sad day indeed when their corporate decided to go “Metrosexual”. Almost never buy anything from them except basic stuff from the outlet. For some reason I never bought a “Photojournalist Vest” although I wanted one. Guess since they’d been around forever they still would be. Sad.
Thanks for visiting, Dale!
I love ‘Lost’. I rewatched it last summer. For some reason I had missed out on some episodes the first time. One of the great television shows!
Found one at local Goodwill for $15. No discount that day. Was about to put it back. But could not remember if I still had one. I never got one new since I had a camera bag, and it was a “nice to have” item that other media friends wore. So now I have one on the coat rack to use. Just need to replace the plastic window on the upper right side.
I remember those catalogs, and wish I’d bought a photojournalist’s vest back then. Instead I bought a striped cotton shirtdress that did indeed last me about 30 years before threads tore. And I remember the BR San Francisco store was a serious travel outfitter, complete with guidebooks, maps, luggage accessories, etc.
I have a question, though, and I hope this is not too far off flavor of your post.
How can a woman effectively style a photojournalist’s vest?
In Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong, I have been able to find a couple of good vests (I prefer lightweight ones) from China. One (beige/khaki) is a free size, so it’s rather roomy on my size 6 frame, but the other (midnight blue) is a small and fits me perfectly (can fill pockets and still feel I have room to move).
On YouTube, a blond amazon affiliate wears her khaki one with a sleeveless black tee. Passable. Brad Pitt wears one jauntily in a movie role with sloppy, lightly-patterned button-down shirt. But an average-looking schlub could NEVER make that work. Saw a still image of a Japanese sportsman wearing black vest with black long sleeve shirt… looks pretty good. So either a sharp contrast of vest and shirt (in neutrals) or perfectly matched color seem possible.
Any ideas? Constructive suggestions sought. Thanks so much in advance.
Still have my Photojournalist vest in XL. It’s in perfect shape.
I always wanted one out of the catalogs but never got one…then a few years ago found one of the post-catalog versions. Still have it. The diagrams inside for the pockets are interesting.
Are these vests water resistant? If so, can I apply a water repellent spray to “revive” their water repellency?