From the 1988 Fall catalogue. In Khaki or Black! “Made from hardy cotton canvas, our House Call Bag is a modern-day resuscitation of that venerable classic, the doctor’s bag. We gave it a bracing dose of leather on the handles and latch, an inside zippered pocket, and a brass buckle, creating, we believe, a general […]
The Fall/Holiday 1986 catalogues introduced the Egyptian Cotton Twill Shirt, which has a similar look to the Expedition Shirt with its angled chest pockets, but the pockets have a pleat in them and the shirt lacks epaulets. It came in Ivory, Khaki and Navy. The shirt was rebranded in Summer 1987 as the Egyptian Cotton […]
This shirt was the immediate predecessor of the Expedition Shirt, having the same design minus the epaulets, and even using the same catalog copy. From the Winter 1984 catalogue: “Amedeo Modigliani never had this to paint on, or he might have endowed his subjects with much shorter necks and saved the extra canvas for his […]
The On-The-Wrong-Track Jacket (my name for it): This highly questionable athletic wear comes in bright primary colors that seem very wrong for BR to me. Compared to the classic Athletic Clothing they DID make–these seem like a corner of the 1980s best left unexplored. It was not listed in the catalogue.
This shirt is so similar to the Coleroon Shirt its hard to distinguish them, but the example below is made in Singapore instead of Hong Kong, which is consistent with the Spring 1988 date.
Spotted on eBay, this rare 1986 Cotton Twill and Leather Six-Gore Skirt. Six gore is a particular cut of skirt made up of triangular “gore” panels to form a A line. Sold in Pewter and Ivory in Fall 1986 and Dark Khaki and Pewter in Holiday 1986. From the catalogue: “Cut long and wide enough […]
Introduced in the Fall 1985 “Notes from the Outback” catalog, the Bushman’s Raincoat is one of the more distinctive items BR produced. It’s about as dramatic and interesting as a raincoat gets and will make you look like you stepped right out of the 1982 Aussie film “Man From Snowy River”. It was offered in […]
The Kikoi Cloth was discovered when the Zieglers travelled to Kenya for their first safari in 1984. They made shirts and skirts out of the bright colorful fabric and the versatile wrap was featured in the Spring and Summer 1985 (and 86) catalogue: “These brightly striped cotton cloths are hand-loomed in Kenya, where they are […]
More truly unusual True Surplus, Discovered By Banana Republic: Can you imagine finding these in a store at the mall and taking them home? From a recent eBay auction Vintage Circa WWII – 1950’s French Military Ice Boots ~ Banana Republic–JJ Chabrat / Bordeaux Up for sale is a pair of vintage French military cleated […]
From the Summer 1986 catalogue: “Cuffs would constrict, ties would torture, pinstripes seem priggish in summertime Nairobi, where offices more like ovens open onto sizzling streets and baking byways. Yet commerce must be conducted here, as in more temperate seasons, cooly and correctly–with the provision that one’s collar at all times remain open for business. […]
From the 1987 catalogue: “Victorian ladies, when out for a constitutional, were well-shod in sturdily constructed boots that firmly cradled the ankle and instep. Our own lace-up boots are as comfortable as high-top sneakers but much more supportive of the walking woman. we used full-grain cowhide with a trim of tough, water-repellent, military-grade linen (the […]
Originally sold in both solids and stripes in 1984 the Carioca Shirt was mostly sold in multicolored stripes. From the catalogue: “A more festive, more stylish, more sensual people than the Cariocas of Rio you will find nowhere on earth. Brazilians seem to samba through life chanting, “No problem, no problem, no problem,” to the […]
Running from Spring 1987 to Spring 1988, the Lido shorts came in a wide variety of colors. From the catalogue: “How do you make a great pair of shorts even better? By lengthening and widening the leg ever so subtly, by making the pockets vanish into side seams, by streamlining the back pocket and eliminating […]
From Holiday 1987: “As an essential, a leather vest comes somewhere close behind food and shelter. This one’s an all-around tactile delight. Outside is satin-smooth buffed calfskin; inside, a 100% cotton soft plaid flannel lining to keep strictly to yourself. Side-entry pockets are deep enough for the most contemplative of evening strolls. And if the […]
From the Spring 88 catalogue: “Linen, the product of the flax plant, has long been known as the softest, strongest, lightest, drapiest, coolest, most absorbent, quickest-drying fiber on earth. Unfortunately, in modern times, linen has been priced beyond reach. We were lucky to get a deal on some of the world’s finest linen (Belgian), which […]
Sold in Summer 1987 and Spring 1988 in Natural, Bronze, Faded Sage, Dark Olive and Mustard. From Summer 1987: “Cardigans need not be relegated to twin sets and teatime. Ours is multifaceted, practical–and surprisingly feisty. The strong stuff it’s made of–self-sufficient cotton of unquestionable fiber–is soft but substantial; when the debate heats up it stays […]
The men’s Authentic Ticking Shirt debuted in Fall 1985 (AFTER the Women’s Ticking Shirt in Spring 1985)and continued through 1987. The popular, sturdy shirt came in Navy and Khaki Olive stripes. The stripes are three-part, two thin stripes on either side of a thick stripe, exactly like mattress ticking. From the catalogue: “Apart from opposing […]
The Odyssey Shirt is distinguished by the facing seams on the front and the pencil slot on its pocket. No epaulettes. From the Fall 1988 Catalogue: “Sturdy cotton canvas has been the sailmaker’s choice since at least the Homeric days. It’s also our choice for this classic shirt. We’ve sandwashed it (using the tiny grains […]
The rather remarkable catalogue copy for the Coleroon Shirt describes the defeat of the Sultan of Mysore and the British adoption of pajamas from India. This women’s shirt is commonly mistaken for a men’s shirt in auctions. The Coleroon was made in Hong Kong in Brown, Teal, Red and Papaya. From the 1987 Holiday Catalogue: […]
The Cotton Canvas Expedition shirt was introduced early, in fall 1984, and was sold for most of the catalogue run until late 1987. It was preceded by the Cotton Canvas Shirt of the same design minus the epaulets and the catalog copy would be partially recycled for the first iteration of Expedition Shirt: “Amedeo Modigliani […]
This sweater was introduced in 1984 and sold through 1985, and in that short time was produced in a number of colors; most commonly in natural tones, but also yellow, blue and lilac. Made in Hong Kong it is composed of cotton and linen. From the catalogue: “A sweater with a nearly silky feel, but […]
This Hong Kong made sweater is easily identified by the distinctive shoulder seams that run to the neckline. From the Fall and Holiday 1987 catalogue: “A heathery pullover inspired by our rambles and scrambles in the fells (mountains) of England’s Lake District. We spun Shetland wool–beloved for its felicitous blend of warmth and lightness–in three […]
From the Holiday 1987 catalogue: “When not practicing their storyteller’s art, the imaginative Irish of County Donegal weave colorful yarns of a more tangible sort. Donegal tweeds are unpredictable: All misty hues, nubby textures, and hearty character, the color-flecked warp and weft of a true Donegal mirrors the changing moods of both isle and artisan. […]
Recently discovered by super fan Neal Moore and added to my collection, these uncatalogued bandanas initially reminded me of the Quiet Madras Shirt, also made in India, but the pattern actually matches the Mandalay Shirt better. These may in fact be remnants from the Mandalay Shirts, the pattern is quite similar. The blue Mandalay Shirt […]
From the Holiday 1986 catalogue: “When the trees start losing leaves, we start thinking in terms of nep wool. Beautiful, hardy, substantial wool–the kind that agrees with a brilliant fall morning but will also stand up to a winter storm. “Neps” are tiny light-colored nubs obtained by brushing the coats of sheep; we combine them […]
I’m fairly certain the sweater below is a Burgundy American Tweed Sweater based o the collar and the age of the tag. From the Holiday 1984 catalogues: “Cornbread, gumbo, quilts, baseball, convertibles–America has always had more than. afew good ideas of its own. One is the American Tweed Sweater, made of homegrown wool in colors […]
These shirts were only offered in Fall 1988. From the catalogue: “We used all the right angles to create a boxed-plaid shirt of the coolest Indian cotton. The subdued plaids will please eyes eager for autumn’s rich, muted shades. The smooth, airy fabric will please skin seeking shelter from an early-autumn heat wave. Both fabric […]
Among the most creative concepts to come from Banana Republic, these extravagant limited edition gift boxes were introduced for Holiday 1986 and returned in 1987. Die-cut printed cardboard, they were shipped or sold flat with a cardboard backer, and each included a novelty newspaper/gift wrap. They came in 3 sizes, the Bi-Plane being the smallest […]
This is the earliest, rarest item I can think of seeing in a long time. The Australian Cowhide OUTBACK Jacket was seen in the Holiday 1983 Catalogue #16, and then in the Fall/Holiday 1984 catalogues. From the catalogue: “The Outback is a rugged land. The cold there is snappy, and it calls for a jacket […]
The Royal Navy Officer’s Wool Jacket is a very interesting piece. A numbered, limited edition (900) item sold in Fall 1984 through Spring 1985, the jacket was made from Royal Navy surplus wool from around 1948. From the catalogue: “In grander days, British officers never obliged to suffer the ordinary — food, lodgings, brandy, cigars, […]
This shirt seems to have started as the Striped jersey in 1987 and then been rebranded in Spring 88 as the Marseilles Jersey , which is certainly more evocative. From the catalogue: “Wherever a French sailor goes, he’s the object of admiring glances from envious French mademoiselles. Is it devastating Gallic charm that causes feminine […]
This is a rare find! An early turtleneck with a very large BR tag. From the 1983 catalogue: “When we offer a classic, we go out of our way to make sure it’s the best of its kind on the market. With cotton turtlenecks, for instance, we don’t chintz on the fabric quality (we use […]
Happy New Year!! This festive cover of the Banana Republic employee newsletter Communiqué features a celebrating Livingstone Zebra in 1986, how cool is that? Thanks for following Abandoned Republic this year. Keeping up the blog has been a VERY welcome distraction from the tedium and misery of 2020, and engaging with other BR Fanatics makes […]
From the Spring 86 catalogue: “Our male customers had been longing for shorts like these; now they long no longer. Our Mediterranean Shorts are lightweight yet crisp-looking. Best of all, they’re made of incomparable Naturalist’s Cloth: cool, pre-washed, pigment-dyed in subtle natural colors. From Malaga to Malibu, the sanest way to go out in the […]
This jean jacket matches the Denim Skirt. From the 1986 catalogue: “To us, this perennial classic epitomizes American style. Ours is traditionally detailed but in all other respects a long way from basic jean jacket. We garment-washed the pigment-dyed denim to get rid of it’s stiffness, then lined it in soft Portuguese flannel. In the […]
“In this day and age, an outdoor vest that’s not full of feathers is down-right distinguished. We thought of calling ours the No-Down vest, but that sounded like a real estate deal. We’d rather dwell on the uplifting qualities of brushed cotton twill, the wool-knit collar and waistband, teh cabin-cozy flannel lining. Filled with thermal […]
Some vests that we spotted online were not featured in the catalogues as far as I know, but were made during the catalogue era, based on the tag.
Introduced in the Fall 1985 catalogue: “There comes a time when a bush vest calls for something harder than cotton. In search of a suitable material for harsher, colder climes, we went everywhere from the wind-whipped pampas of Argentina to the sandblasted Outback of Australia, scrutinizing calfskin and cowhide, pigskin and peccary, kidskin and kangaroo. […]
From 1984, this Leather Bush Pilot Vest preceded the Leather Bush Vest. From the catalogue: “Bush pilots are a special breed–they’ll do somersaults to thrill the passengers, free falls in canyons just for fun. They’re rough, tough, worldly-wise and think they’re indestructible. Like it’s fearless namesake, this vest has the look of having rounded the […]
Unlisted in the catalogues, this Blue version has been sighted by an eagle-eyed reader of the blog!
Presumably, this flier was sent to recent subscribers to the catalogue, because there is a message from Mel and Patrica Ziegler, which opens with “We hope you enjoyed your first catalogue…” The flier folds down to the size of a catalogue cover, in this case the 1985 Summer Wanderlust issue, and opens to poster size. […]
From the catalogue: “Our crisp white classic is as finely wrought as Phidian sculpture, graced with pleated pockets, five fanlike sleeve pleats, flat-felled seams, and French placket. A pristine canvas for the wearer’s character.” Pics courtesy Kimberlee English-Anderson
From the Spring and Summer 1986 Catalogue: “Our adventures in the surplus trade have yielded innumerable discoveries, one of them being the multi-collared uniform shirt. Thrifty and stylish, these shirts offered the wearer both collarless comfort and tasteful options: When one collar became soiled or frayed, off it went to the laundry (or the dustbin) […]
I found these images on Worthpoint, which archives old eBay auctions. Here’s one I really wish I had known about! A new-employee orientation package along with the original advertisement for the open positions at the new La Jolla, CA store.
From the Holiday 1985 catalogue, a selection of tweed sweaters made in teh USA. From Poshmark, a plum Crew-Neck Pullover Sweater.
Featured only in the Summer 1985 catalogues and the updates these Wanderlust shirts are very rare now, the below example the only one I’ve seen. There were three designs celebrating great adventures: The Odyssey which has a Robert Louis Stevenson quote on the back: “To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive.” , […]
From the Summer 1987 and Spring 1988 catalogue: “”The sense of being well-dressed,” wrote the bard of Concord, “gives the feeling of inward tranquility which religion is powerless to bestow.” We humbly submit that Ralph Waldo (or Mrs. E) might have experienced just such a transcendent sensation in this shirt. Constructed with positively 19th-century amplitude […]
Early on, advertising in magazines like the New Yorker played an important part in getting the word out about the company, and attracting catalogue subscribers. Usually, the artwork used was repurposed black and white drawings from the catalogues, but sometimes the art was unique. Banana Republic print ads are collectible, there are a great number […]
A simple drawstring skirt, the Naturalist’s Skirt was sold in 1985. From the catalogue: “We dyed the raw cotton, dyed it again, then washed it and washed it again. Then we constructed a skirt as simple and unaffected as a bed of Busy Lizzie–just four gores, three pockets, and drawstring elastic waist.”
The 1987 “Cape of Two Countries” was a grey wool replica of a blue wool surplus French Naval Cape sold in 1986. The blue wool cape was appropriately reviewed by vampire novelist Anne Rice. ” When I took it out of the box, I knew it was mine. Any self-respecting vampire would adore it. Throw […]
I picked this sweater up on eBay in November 2020 and couldn’t have been more excited. I rashly jumped to a few major conclusions in my first take on it, wishfully thinking it was a very early item, pre-Gap, dating between 1981-1983. I’ve always wanted to find something from that era, and I thought I […]
An English made twill and leather briefcase that reminds us very much of the earlier classic Brady Bag or Correspondent’s Bag, the Freelance Briefcase came out in Fall/Holiday 1987. From the catalogue: “Though chronically out of work, freelancers nonetheless wish to appear employable, and there’s nothing like a briefcase for conveying the message. Still, a […]
Featured only in the Summer 1987 catalogue: “Plaid shirts traditionally go with crackling fires and low wind-chill factors, but we’ve broadened tradition to give them a summer home. This lightweight cotton one recalls the pleasures of camping in northern forests: pine-scented zephyrs, and owl’s call at dusk, the glassy sheen of a lake at dawn. […]
From the Summer 1986 “Voices from Africa” catalogue: ” Life frequently gets warm for foreign technicians working the offshore oil fields of North Africa. Going about one’s business while the aircraft and carriers of super-powers and quasi-powers jostle for media coverage is enough to make any geologist break into a sweat on occasion. When you […]
The Fall 1988 followup to the Ventilated Shirt, the Cellular Shirt is slightly oversized, lack epaulettes and has a slightly tighter weave than the Ventilated Shirt.
This hat was featured Spring/Summer 1986 and also Spring 1988. It is similar to the Desert Hat, another bucket style hat which preceded it as well as the Roll-Up Hat. From the catalogue: “We won’t elaborate on all the things that can fall on your head in the tropics, aside from excessive sun–suffice to say […]
From the 1984 catalogue: “Different as they are (and are they!), the British, the Scots and the Irish do share a few things in common. Fog. Mist. Drizzle. Which they endure, indoors or out, with tweedy, leather buttoned vests that take the snap out of the cold wet atlantic winds. Our Donegal Cardigan Vest, of […]
This is actually listed as a Banana Republic T-Shirt, one of several designs to bear that name. Offered only in Summer 1988, this shirt is found quite a bit now; further evidence how much BR had spread by 1988. From the catalogue: “No republic can take itself seriously without a coat of arms. Much less […]
From the catalogue: “Natural jute, plaited in a diagonal weave and trimmed with a leather tip that doubles back to close on an antique brass stud. The slight “give” in the weave makes for exceptional comfort.”
These colorful, lightweight shirts have a slight texture to them and are great summer shirts. Only offered in the Spring 1988 “Road to Mandalay” catalogue. Note the catalogue is using some spot photographs rather than illustrations. From catalogue: “We had these shirts woven in a village where hand looms are still used to make fine, […]
This 1986 Employee Newsletter has a blurb about actor Jeff Goldblum buying an Army Air Corps Jacket to use in his upcoming movie “The Fly”. Sure enough, he wears the jacket in several scenes. There’s even a scene where actress Geena Davis purchases the jacket, but sadly its set in a menswear shop and not […]
This hobby is kind of like train spotting for me: Things come by and we get to match them with items in the catalogue, which is often a treat because we haven’t seen them in real life, only in illustrations. Occasionally something comes along that bears some version of the Stars and Bananas Tag (the […]
From the Fall 1988 catalogue: “Our lightweight Field Jacket, made from hearty Expedition Cloth, offers the breeze-blocking qualities of a windcheater as well as the pinache of the classic field jacket. With plenty of pockets, adjustable drawstring waist, and wind-resistant zipper flap, it’s loose enough to layer over t-shirt, pullover, or sweaters(s). A most dynamic […]
At first glance this looked to me like the Outback Bush Jacket, but of course the chest pockets are not angled and the closure uses buttons. The catalogue copy confirms that some details were borrowed from the Italian Field Jacket that inspired the Bush Jacket. This Fully Lined Field Jacket was only offered in Holiday […]
In contrast to the long-running Sierra Denim Shirt, the Corduroy Collar Denim Shirt only ran in the Fall 1985 Catalogue: “We roamed the High Lonesome for a considerable spell looking for a denim shirt that didn’t have pearl buttons or a collar that looked like a pair of Mule’s Ears. Finally, we came home and […]
Rare, exemplary or unusual items on eBay we are currently watching with great interest. Abandoned Republic receives a modest commission on each purchase when you go through our links.
“I-I think we’re lost, Mitty,” said young Shaw, shivering. It had been hours since they’d heard the comforting ta-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa of the forest service helicopter. Smiling, Mitty unbuttoned a shirt pocket and withdrew map, compass, and knife; from a narrow compartment in the pocket he produced a folding fishing rod. “Dinner.” He announced. Then, unsnapping the […]
From the Summer 1988 Catalogue: “Like the meridian (longitude) lines on the map, the stripes woven into our crisp poplin shirt run straight and true. The smooth, tightly woven cotton remains unflappable even when the sun’s at its meridian (noon); the styling is classic enough for London, on the Greenwich Meridian (0° longitude), yet comfortable […]
These scarves/bandanas are not in the catalog. They are quite large and have a printed logo that I don’t recall seeing anywhere else.
From Fall and Holiday 1987: “Shimmering, clear colors, light but warm material, woven in an intricate jacquard design. At once functional and elegant, the luxurious wool-and-cotton blend gives off a silky sheen. If a scarf can scintillate, this one does.” Dark Papaya version from my collection.
The copy from the Fall 1986 catalogue tells it all: “The story so far: When we introduced this shirt, quite a few seasons back, we called it the Un-Alligator shirt, our commentary on encroaching logoization. Later, we renamed it No-Polo in homage to a certain designer who trotted countless ponies across countless chests. His attorneys […]
This is a shirt that ran from the 1983 catalogs to 1986 and really shows its Northern California 1970s roots. It came in Faded Blue and Bleached Blue. From the 1984 review by author and BR friend Herbert Gold: “Blue denim shirts followed the inventions of quill pens, the skull of Goethe filled with blood, […]
From the Fall 1985 catalogue: “A skirt rather like the women of today–smart, sophisticated, ready for absolutely anything, tough, and soft at the same time. The velvety pigskin suede gives and conforms to the body, doesn’t easily wrinkle, doesn’t show dirt, can’t tear or snag–in short, boldly withstands the travails of time, the dramas of […]
This shirt confused us for a few reasons. First, it wasn’t found in the catalog because that page had accidentally not been scanned into the archive (we make no guarantees!!). An astute fan pointed it out (Thanks, Gary!). Secondly, the buttons are on the traditionally “male” right side (we are easily confused by this tradition…). […]
Like so many candies in a jar, the Costa Brava shirt leaped off the page of the catalogues with an array of appealing colors, tropical and neutral. The relaxed, short sleeved casual shirt debuted in Spring 1986 and ran until 1988. It has no epaulettes and no closure on its large chest pockets. It was […]
From the Fall 1988 catalogue: : “With a bag such as this, Rick could have protected letters of transit from Casablanca’s humid summers. Ilsa could have slipped the strap over her shoulder, leaving both arms free to hug Rick goodbye. And victor could have stood stoically by, wondering how this rugged bag manages to improve […]
The Women’s Limited Edition Wool & Mouton Jacket. From the catalogue: “While designing our leather Amelia Earhart jacket (see page 39) we made the prototype out of some surplus military-grade wool we’d bought in Sweden. We liked the sample so much that we rounded up more of the wool–a superlatively dense fabric that had been […]
From the Summer 1987 catalogue only: “A no-fuss pullover of soft, lightweight cotton, our Painter’s Shirt is cool and roomy enough to let your imagination and brushstroke range freely. Cut like something your grandfather might have worn in the 20’s, with a box pleat and long tail in the back, it’s equally inspiring worn belted […]
Spring/Summer 1986 and Spring 1988. From the catalogue: “We originally saw this hat on the head of a winemaker taking a stroll through his rocky Chianti vineyard. But like all sturdy vinatges, it travels well, as one of the country’s leading vintners confirmed.” The catalogue goes on to quote famed Northern California winemaker Robert Mondavi […]
A Short-Sleeved Bush Jacket was offered in Summer 1988 only, although there were similar garments in the earlier days of BR. The pictures below, from an October 2020 ebay sale, seem to show a darker khaki tan than the catalogue art, but it’s definitely a Khaki Short-Sleeve Bush Jacket. The pictures below (ebay September 2020) […]
Another staple item in the Banana Republic arsenal, the French Army Bush hat was a relatively inexpensive and popular item. Nothing quite topped off a Hooded Bush Vest better. Introduced in 1983 and sold until 1988 and then even beyond the Safari era. It was sold in three colors, Khaki, Khaki Tan and Stone. I’ve […]
From the Fall 1985 “Notes from the Outback” catalogue: “Despite their damp, chilly climate, New Zealanders are vigorous hikers, horseback riders, skiers, hunters, and fisherman–as comfortable outdoors as in. They’ll even go tramping in a freezing downpour, wearing shorts and this remarkable shirt. It warms like a coat and functions like a heavy sweater–being roomy […]
These Israeli Paratrooper duffle bags and backpacks–matching companions to the Israeli Paratrooper Briefcase–were never listed in the catalog and, based on the use of the “Safari and Travel” tag, were likely in stores after the end of the Safari era. We know that the Israeli Paratrooper Briefcase ran into at least 1989 after the Safari […]
These Italian made bags debuted in Fall 1986 and had an issue devoted to them by name, the Fall 1986 Update “Carry On!” catalogue. They replaced the Italian made Linea Viaggio line. “To create our new luggage, we went to Italy, where we found our fabric–tightly woven, water-repellent Belgian linen–at the factory that’s used it for 40 […]
Originally introduced in Fall 1984 as an Italian Canvas Bush Jacket, it was renamed The Outback Bush Jacket in the Fall 1985 “Notes from the Outback” catalogue. Its got so many marvelous details, like a throat latch, reinforced elbows, huge bellows pockets and a drawstring waist and of course, the angled chest pockets (possibly angled […]
A long running item, the Essential Bag was originally Leather and Linen from Italy, issued throughout 1985. Beginning in Fall 1986 it was changed to all leather from Brazil. In Fall 1988 the bag was issued in black leather. “Exactly the right size for essentials–everything you don’t want to leave in your hotel room.” Leather […]
The Leather and Canvas Safari Shoe has a very distinct look for a deck shoe, with its leather and canvas mix. It was sold from Spring 1986-Spring 1988. From the catalogue: “When we came upon boss of genuine Italian military canvas–tough, handsome, and (naturally) khaki colored–it seems as natural as walking to combine this strong […]
From the catalogue: “We designed this striking sweater to prove that outer-wear fit for rigorous walks need not look pedestrian. We got the idea while hiking New Zealand’s Milford track, as famous for it’s bone-chilling downpours as for its breathtaking panoramas. Aussies and Kiwis chose wool for weathering cold and damp, so our vest is […]
The writing for this sheepskin vest is really neat, as it takes the opportunity to talk about the founding days and philosophy of the company in the 1983 catalogue as expansion was in motion. They describe this as a popular item, but I don’t find it in pre-1983 catalogues other than once in 1980 listed […]
First seen in 1983 as the British Regiment Belt, this nifty two-buckle adjustable twill belt was re-introduced as the Twice Buckled Belt with an updated design–the new belt was not adjustable length–and jute material. From Spring and Summer 1986, a cool belt with a very BR vibe to it. From the catalogue: “Truly a belt […]
The Summer 1981 Catalogue is entirely illustrated by Patrica Gwilliam and Mel Ziegler, with Patricia still using her maiden name. As with all catalogues prior to 1984 it’s a duo-tone print of black and tan on natural paper stock. The stock in these early catalogues is always changing yet feels really consistent. A company on […]
In 1985 the Fur Felt Safari Hat replaced the Bushman’s Hat. Priced at $56 it was no longer made by Akubra but was made in the USA. It was a regular item that defined the Safari look until Spring 1988. The hats appear a lot on the current market, a testament to their popularity, quality […]
Sold only in the Holiday 1987 catalogue: “Our customers used to ask why we don’t sell jewelry. “Because we think it’s more fun to discover it while you’re traveling,” was our response. Then we discovered Turkana Jewelry on our own travels in Kenya, and decided it was too special to keep to ourselves. Handmade and […]
From reader Gary Pinkerton we have a rare look at the Summer 1985 (Africa issue) Giraffe Bolo Tie. A bronze giraffe on a suede lace string with copper beads, this was issued in a plastic bag with a printed card inside. Amazingly, Gary kept the whole thing, which we are very grateful to see. From […]
The Women’s Bush Jacket was was originally sold as the Tropical Bush Jacket in Summer 1985 (in Ivory only), renamed the Women’s Bush Jacket in Spring 1986 in Ivory and then sold Fall 1987 in Khaki only. It seems the first versions were lightweight cotton twill and the 1987 version is mediumweight pre-washed cotton. Otherwise […]
While a safari suit jacket and pants combo was available for men throughout the safari era, a proper Safari Suit for women was available at limited times: only Summer 1986 in Ivory and Spring/Summer 87 in Pewter. The cut and style of the Safari Jacket seems to be identical to the Women’s Bush Jacket except […]
Summer 1986, Fall/Holiday 1987, Spring 1988. From the catalogue: “Pliant calfskin, heat-shrunk to create surface texture, and burnished with a hand iron. It’s tapered in back for comfort and–need we add?–to make the least of one’s waist.”
Newly Updated! 1985-1988 Available.
