Fall and Holiday 1987. From the catalogue: “Walking boots that travel smartly with a skirt are the legacy of the Victorians, who charted awesome mileage on foot while carrying on conversations worthy of Jane Austin. Ours, as trim a pair as ever roved, are made in Italy of soft, pebble-grained calfskin with leather lining and […]
Sold only in Holiday 1986 and 1987. From the catalogue: “The fisherfolk of the British Isles have a rich tradition of distinctive knitting patterns, many of them derived from their daily lives. Look closely at our Cabled Vest, and you’ll see fishing ropes twisting and trellising up to the moss stitch of the shawl collar. […]
Sold in Khaki and Black in Fall and Holiday 1987 with some striking exaggerated artwork. From the catalogue: “Easygoing yet elegant, this is a dress to be lived in, worked in, traveled in. The luxuriously soft flannel is consoling company during late-night layovers or bracing breakfast meetings. The top is pure shirt, the skirt long, […]
From the catalogue: “When we first discovered this drapy, silky fabric in a British trenchcoat, we knew it had other lives to live–offering, as it does, the combined virtues of wool and cotton. And so we reincarnated it in a slim, smooth walking skirt, as elegant or as laissez-faire as the accessories (and the attitude) […]
From the catalogue: “Like jeans, jumpsuits originated with folks who had places to go and no time to worry about delicate fabrics and shirttails popping out. Aviators, for instance: Amelia Earhart wore the first one ever seen on a woman. This abbreviated version encourages sturdy, bare-legged striding, agile scrambling, and cool brushes with silken air. […]
This item was not in the catalogue, so I couldn’t resist trying my hand at making artwork and copy for it. UPDATE: I did find what is probably our pouch in the Winter 1984 catalogue after all, labeled “Swedish Belt Pouch”. I’m not 100% sure it’s the same. It looks mostly right, but the markings […]
The Hooded Bush Vest was a real workhorse for Banana Republic. The design was first introduced in 1982, pre-Gap purchase and ran until 1988 and then beyond into the post-Safari era. Today they are ubiquitous and plentiful as they were big sellers for men and women at $39. Image from the Holiday 1982 catalogue. There […]
The Leather Walking Skirt was offered in the Fall and Winter catalogs in both 1986 and 1987. From the catalogue: “Unpacking in a strange hotel room, what could be more inspiriting than to find some cherished bit of luxurt among the knits and khakis? Our leather Walking Skirt, made of New Zealand lambskin, turns storm-tossed […]
The Lamu Dress was featured three times and offered different colors and patterns each time. Still, the first photographic evidence I’ve seen is in a different color and pattern, but is definitely a Lamu Dress. From the catalogue: “East Africa’s Lamu Island enchanted us with its wonderful islamic architecture and lack of cars, but posed […]
You could easily buy your way into the sketchy bureaucracy of Banana Republic with a $9 t-shirt or two for $17 as Minister of Finance, Minister of Propoganda, or as a Cultural Attache or Honorary Counsel. The Diplomatic T-Shirts were first introduced in Spring 1985 with a design of the Stars and Bananas surrounded by […]
Similar to the Outback Shirt, this collarless striped shirt was sold in the Summer 1988 catalogue. Check out the unusual coconut-husk buttons. Thanks, Gary Pinkerton for the pics! “Time was when a man didn’t just roll up his sleeves to do an honest day’s work, he also removed his collar. Our Journeyman’s Shirt honors the […]
From Fall and Holiday 1987, a marvelous wool felt hat in black or olive with a wide curved brim. From the catalogue: “A wide-brimmed hat betokens and intriguing past, while shielding a woman’s face from overbright sun or impudent stares. The cotton twill band gives nothing away.”
From the Fall 1988 catalogue: “This slightly tapered belt is embossed with a reptilian pattern. Buckle, tip, double keeper are silverplated.” Photos from eBay September 2020.
From the Fall 1988 catalogue: “A classic fedora in soft, malleable wool felt, with pugaree band. If the mood should strike, the brim is just wide enough to pull the wool over your eyes.” Photos from eBay September 2020.
This remarkable belt came up for sale on eBay in September 2020. I am unable to locate it in the catalogue archive thus far. It’s VERY Banana Republic Travel & Safari Co. It has a distinctive layered look and has a double pronged buckle with an additional brass post to secure the end of the […]
From the 1987 catalogue: “A classic in English saddle-hide leather with multi-layered, edge-stitched construction. A belt to last til the very last round-up, and then some.”
From the Holiday 1987 catalogue: “It was the railroad, not the town, that inspired the name of this handsome bridle-leather belt. The nickle-plated studs on each side reminded us of so many passenger cars puffing through the desert. But the subtly dramatic design might also have been born in the New Mexico high country. A […]
From the Fall 1987 Catalogue: “Certain clothes–slouchy sweaters, knit dresses, shirts over skirts–cry out for a hip belt. Ours is hip enough to hang out in cafes, order doppo espressos, and play bongos until dawn. Nothing square about it, not even the very very cool self-buckle.” Photos from September 2020 eBay auction.
This concept for a Minister of Finance Checkbook cover was actually around from the very start! One of the surprises I came across in Catalogue #1 was a Minister of Finance Checkbook Cover; We don’t know what the original looked like exactly, though the drawing does tell us the insignia of the Minister of Finance […]
This fine bag debuted in Fall 1984 and running until Summer 1987 when it was converted to Cotton Canvas for one seaon before being redesigned as the Canvas and Leather Document Bag. It remains today an essential bag for me. Banana Republic was ahead of its time in creating the perfect smart phone bags. From […]
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 […]
This is listed in the catalogue as the Banana Republic T-Shirt, but since that name is used on several items over the years I am calling this one the Coat of Bananas Shirt. Sold from Spring 1987-Spring 1988, this was a popular item judging by the number of them that show up on eBay and […]
These shirts were only offered in the Fall 1988 Catalogue. However, they are one of the most common BR T-Shirts to show up now. This may be due to the wide distribution of the catalogues by 1988 and/or the large number of stores in operation by then. From the catalogue: “Every culture creates a unique […]
A Safari Dress was a staple of the women’s wardrobe for a long time. As you can see in the catalog gallery at the bottom of the page they switched from the fine Egyptian Cotton of the Safari Jackets to a slightly heavier “Naturalist’s cloth” later in the run. The photos on this page are […]
From the catalogue: “A skirt to satisfy even women who normally shun skirts: slim, spare, absolutely fuss-less.Traditional jean styling–including a coin pocket–and deep 13-inch slits before and behind for making great strides. In tandem with our Denim Jacket, and outfit to range from Wyoming to Weisbaden.” Photos from an Etsy sale
Interesting surplus items show up all the time that were not listed in the catalogue but were sold in stores because they were available in more limited quantities. Not so these NATO fatigues, sold in 1986 and found in what must have been somewhat large numbers to justify featuring them on the page. Complete […]
Whenever this shirt shows up online it’s listed as a Men’s shirt, probably on the assumption it’s some sort of cowboy shirt. I was confused for the longest time until I realized it just women’s Equestrienne Shirt. The misconception is probably also attributable to the wide torso on the shirt, which is meant to be […]
This blog is dedicated to the travel and safari era of Banana Republic as defined by the 1978-1988 catalogues. However, the name Banana Republic Travel and Safari Company continued for some period of time after the Zieglers departed. The company moved in a more upscale direction with the branding, but attempted to retain some of […]
I love the marketing for this wonderful suit. It’s all classic Banana Republic, with a great spread of artwork with background art that inspires the imagination and catalog copy that manages to namedrop both Isak “Out of Africa” Dinesen and St. Tropez. It really makes you want to be this person. From the catalogue: “Mombasa,” […]
An official store flag???? According to the eBay archive website Worthpoint, this printed nylon flag sold in 2016. I would kill to have it, fair warning. I’ve never seen it before but it’s pretty clearly the real deal. I absolutely love it!! If you are the owner of such a flag, please get in touch.
The keyword for this shirt is Corduroy. BR didn’t make a lot of them, there was a corduroy shirt with leather elbow patches and a leather collar called the Lodge shirt and there was this shirt seen in the Fall 1988 catalogue. It was made in Manila, Green and Blue. Pictures below from a September […]
Available from Spring 1985 through Spring 1986, this dress came in Natural and Black and was as versatile as advertised. From the catalogue: “Put it in your purse when you go to work on Friday. On your weekend getaway wear it over pants like a big t-shirt; belted at the waist; belted at the hips; […]
One of the reasons I enjoy this hobby is spotting an item that doesn’t quite match the artwork. Case in point, the Duster Coat. Made of cotton Expedition Cloth in ivory and olive, it has a classic BR look that the catalogue artwork doesn’t really convey. The 1988 catalogue art generally lacks the character of […]
My personal theory is that this was Patricia Ziegler’s favorite belt. Featured from 1984 through 1986 as an item and on numerous illustrations of other items of clothing. As the catalogue says, it’s a true classic. From the catalogue: “A terrific hip belt with heavy sweaters, a waist cincher with pants or safari dresses. Three […]
Sold from Spring 1985 to Summer 1986, they came in several different colors. See the catalog thumbnails below. The striped, collarless design of this shirt would be revisited in the 1988 Journeyman’s Shirt. From the catalogue: “India is famous for its hand-loomed fabrics but its equally superlative milled textiles are often overlooked. Made of longer […]
The Correspondent’s Dress is the fair companion to the Correspondent’s Jacket, made of the same material and possessing the same details. The belted dress came in Ivory and Pewter and is easily distinguished from the Safari Dress by its angled lower pockets. From the catalogue: “She won’t reveal her sources, but her dress speaks for […]
From the catalogue: “Play word association with “madras” and you probably think “preppy”, “golf course”, “fifties”, or any combination thereof. Truth is, madras doesn’t have to signify loud plaids in violent colors: it refers simply to the lightweight yet surprisingly strong cotton hand-loomed in the villages of southern India. The subtle patterns and soft hues […]
100% cotton fatigues sold in Khaki, olive drab and sand in the 1986-1987 catalogues. From the catalogue: “Designed by Uncle Sam’s tailors to prove we Yanks have a few good ideas of our own. Fatigues are the best of both worlds-a pair of military pants that was made for nonmilitary wear. Tow buttoned back pockets.”
From the catalogue: “Most “travel raincoats” are sorry affairs that cling uselessly to one’s limbs. Ours weighs just 26 ounces and folds into a compact envelope, yet springs out looking like the dashing, authoritative garment it is. Like the U.S. Marine corps, we chose a nylon fabric that’s sturdy without being heavy, and discourages rain, […]
From the catalogue: “Egypt’s long fiber cotton enjoys a reputation as the world’s finest. Old-timers who’ve led hundreds of safaris through the African bush wouldn’t think of owning a safari shirt out of any other fabric. This is because its long fibers build strength into the weave of the garment without adding bulk. Our Egyptian […]
Originally sold as part of the Expedition Outfit in 1984, this shirt was reissued on its own in summer 1987. From the catalogue: “Any expedition is a foray into the imagination as much as a geographic journey. Our Short-Sleeved Expedition Shirt-in touch 100% cotton canvas, pre-washed for suppleness-is designed with creative exploration in mind. What […]
From the catalogue: “Houndstooth is a true composite with a checkered past. To the British it looks like dog’s fangs; in France they think it resembles chicken’s feet and call it coq. We’ve even seen houndstooth gaucho pants in Argentina. Our Minister of Checks and Balances has chosen a most subtle version of this worldly […]
Running from Summer 1986 to Spring 1987, this wonderful twill and leather bag was also made in pigskin leather in 1988. Photos below from a September 2020 eBay sale. From the 1986 catalogue: “We took a full-sized suitcase to Australia, but needed a smaller bag from which to conduct daily business. So we ducked into […]
The Women’s Ticking Shirt differs significantly from the men’s, tapered in all the right places and with very full sleeves. From the catalogue: “As clothing archaeologists, we like to discover wearable artifacts. Our latest fiend: authentic mattress ticking, pre-washed for softness and woven with more warp than filling yarns for extra strength. We think it […]
The staple Men’s Short from 1985-1988, the Expedition Short is easily distinguished by the wide belt loops in the front. From the catalogue: “No fewer than six deep, roomy pockets-two in the back, four in the front. The tough cotton canvas is pre-washed for the look of an old salt.”
This is classic Banana Republic, offered in nearly every catalog until Spring 1987. From the catalogue: “A menacingly true reproduction of the notorious Red Baron flight helmet in soft glove-weight lambskin. This is official headgear in our Banana Republic Air Force.
Featured in Fall 1986 through Spring 1987 in black and khaki. From the catalogue: “Italian cotton knit is one of our favorite fabrics for travel: reasonless, wrinkle-shedding, flatteringly drape, it looks as fresh over a midnight grappa as it does over morning cappuccino. Our Traveler’s Dress has side slits to liberate your legs, deep side-seam […]
Available from Spring 1987 through Spring 1988. From the catalog: ““Raise less corn and more hell!” So admonished a tough-spirited slogan of the Populist movement back in the 1890s. Styles have come and gone since then, but certain values persist. Our Populist Pants, steeped in grass-roots sensibility and the simple good sense of solid workmanship, […]
This jacket reminds me of the On-The Road jacket a little It has the same leather cuff protectors and light coloring. I also like the lining very much. A handsome jacket only offered in Fall and Christmas 1987. From the catalogue: “Once upon a time, in a humble saddler’s shop, there was a lambskin covering […]
New the Fall 1988 catalogue, the Snap-Collar Bomber Jacket is described as dark chocolate brown, so I am not at all sure that the pictures from eBay below are the same jacket, but I think so. However, there are no black jackets in the catalogue that match the photos. (It may simply be that the […]
Issued only in Fall 1983 and Fall 1984 this Goatskin jacket is more rare than the other BR leathers. From the catalog: “Issued in the 1930s to the U.S. Navy Air Force pilots, this ingenious jacket was uniquely designed for the special demands of open cockpit flying. The average altitude for flying then was 5,500 […]
Life’s little mysteries… This catalog era coat comes up on eBay from time to time and I’ve never seen it before. A khaki jacket (update: red has been seen too) with a bit of a windbreaker vibe and with a hood built into the collar, same as the Hooded Bush Vest. The Stars and Bananas […]
Made in the USA of Argentine cowhide, the distressed leather Army Air Corps jacket was wildly popular in the 1980s and was much copied as I remember. All is fair, seeing as it’s a copy of an original anyway! It was in the catalogues along with the Goatskin Flight Jacket and Leather Flight Jacket so […]
The catalog copy for the new Leather Flight Jacket begins with a critique of the faults of the “classic Flight Jacket” without mentioning the previous Goatskin Flight Jacket from BR was an updated copy of the classic and had many of those same faults. From the catlogue:” The classic leather flight jacket originally worn by […]
This is the original Banana Republic Flight Jacket, dating from 1982 to 1985 when the Leather Flight Jacket replaced it. It’s distinguished by it’s dark brown almost black color, dark mouton snap-on collar, and buttons on the pockets. From the 1982 catalogue that introduced it: “Over the years we’ve examined, tested and lived with virtually […]
This jacket really revels in its San Francisco roots. Made in San Francisco by the Golden Bear company (as detailed in the Wild Company memoir) it’s a tribute to the legendary Beat writer and at one point the catalogue copy included a testimonial from poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti whose famed City Lights Bookstore sits along Jack […]
This great looking jacket was only offered in the Holiday 1986 catalogue. Thanks to a fellow collector for sending in these awesome pictures of his! From the catalogue: “Our winterized bush jacket shrugs off downpours and carries on valiantly in pea-supers. We adapted the classic bush style-epaulets, four cargo pockets, double-buttoning cuffs, leather-buckled belt-in our […]
These Banana Republic Beaded Belts come in a wide variety of colors and are the most commonly seen early pre-GAP item on eBay. They were sold into 1984 (top image is from an order form centerfold) but were first seen in 1982. Advertised as “an American Indian condiment for your khakis”, they remind me of […]
Khaki version This version seems more Olive Drab than “Black Olive“.
From the catalogue: “From Her Majesty’s former burden, the colony of India, comes our genuine Bombay Bowler. Water repellent khaki cotton covers the pith. Positively sunroof. For extra protection on particularly scorching days, we suggest dunking the hat occasionally in cool water.” The Pith Helmet was a staple of Banana Republic from the very beginning. […]
The BR Ventilated Shirt was originally manufactured for the British Army for use in tropical outposts. The cotton shirt is soft and light with an intricate weave to allow breathability. Introduced in 1983 it was sold in both short and long sleeves, with the short sleeved version selling until 1988. Interestingly, the earliest long-sleeved “Authentic […]
The Ventilated Shirt was a staple of the catalog from Spring 1983 until 1988. The Ventilated Tropical Dress debuted at the same time but was discontinued in 1985. From the catalog: “A civilized way to survive in a scorching desert, a steamy jungle, even a humid metropolis. We can attest to this because our short-sleeved […]
These outback shorts were usually sold in traditional khaki, pewter or ivory. Later they added more colors like this Navy pair from 1988.
Possibly the most famous and recognizable items from the Banana Republic Travel & Safari company, the Old English Wildlife Engraving shirts looked great and were a popular inexpensive item to grab if you wanted to capture the BR magic without breaking your wallet. Due to their ubiquity, they show up on the current eBay market […]
From the catalog: “In the 16th century two Portuguese brothers introduced seven cows and a bull to South America. Within 100 years, cattle had so overrun the pampas that legions of caballeros had to be recruited to round them up. At the vaqueria-as these expeditions were called-a young man could gain proficiency with lasso and […]
This elegant and stylish jacket was only offered in Fall 1985 and came as a suit with a skirt (not pictured). From the catalogue: “Elegant and romantic as the gaslight era, yet bold as its dauntless horsewomen, the Equestrienne Suit was inspired by a turn-of-the-century riding outfit. We took this thoroughbred of a design and […]
I have the Summer 1983 catalogue in the standard newsprint and also a glossy paper version, the first and only glossy BR catalogue I’ve ever seen. As you can see the newsprint version is announcing the opening of the new Stanford store, so I am left to assume it came out after the glossy which […]
First appearing in the summer 1985 catalogue, this light, easy to wear jacket that seemed both timeless and very 80s. You could easily roll up your sleeves, slip on some deck shoes and be at home in the background of Miami Vice. They came in white always, khaki often, as well as once in navy […]
I hadn’t noticed this shirt before because it is hidden within a folded order form at the center of the Fall and Winter 1984 catalogues. When I first scanned them my copies didn’t have the order forms in them, they’d been torn out. Subsequently I’ve found complete catalogues and finally saw this shirt. Hence, “The […]
We are doing a bit of archaeology with this blog, trying to help figure out where certain things fit in the BR timeline, which is especially helpful when collecting BR. A great clue to the puzzle is the label or tag in the clothing itself. Here is the breakdown of BR labels as I understand […]
Prior to Fall 1984 the line of safari jacket and pants were called “Kenya Safari Clothing” and were made for BR by the American outfitter Willis & Geiger. For more info, see Safari Jackets This changed in Fall 1984 when Ventile Poplin was introduced, according to the catalogue: ” As the premier, pre-eminent purveyor of […]
This interesting sweater just showed up on eBay. Kind of a fun challenge to identify! Going through the sweater category on the Abandoned Republic website turns up the Shetland Writer’s Sweater in the 1983 Christmas catalog, but without color to guide us. Is this brown sweater “russet” colored? The leather buttons, side pockets and collar […]
Without a doubt this is one of the best remembered items from 1980s Banana Republic, a book bag for countless students, I took full advantage of its generous pen holders and used it as a sketchbook carrying bag for many years. Even today it’s a great laptop bag, though a padded laptop sleeve would be […]
I jumped at the chance to buy a 1986 Mel Ziegler letter on BR letterhead and I’m really glad I did. First, it’s just a great look at what a classy company they were and how Mel’s gift for language never fails to charm. It’s so warm and witty. Secondly, this particular letter points directly […]
This was shared by a member of the Abandoned Republic Facebook group. I’ve never seen one before. It wasn’t shown in any catalogs and she purchased it in a store. I love these surprises from Banana Republic! This is a color version of the stacked logo usually seen on the clothing descriptor tags.
Up for current auction, a beautiful pair of Women’s Leather Ranch Boots. From the catalog: “We modified the classic Western boot for women who pound pavements rather than punch cows. The insole is tenderly padded and the outsole covered in rubber, making the boots as luxurious to walk in as they are to look at, […]
From the catalog: “Cotton fleece is so comfortable it begs to be used for something other than sweats. When we made the All-Night Flightsuit, our idea was to give the intercontinental traveler a cozy yet stylish alternative to tight waistbands, jabbing buttons, and rumpled clothing at journey’s end. Perfect for the redeye: the elastic and […]
A favorite item is the Authentic Swedish Bandolier. Banana Republic was selling these “authentic relic” surplus bandoliers in their catalogs from Holiday 1984 until Fall 1985. UPDATE: Discovered the Bandolier was offered as early as 1979!! See below. From the catalog: “One never has enough pockets on safari. This leather bandolier with canvas insets offers […]
New Auction: These amazing mint condition Pedestrienne Boots in a fabulous BR boot box. “….I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” -Robert Louis Stevenson Produced for Fall and Christmas 1987. From the catalog: “The English equestrienne boot is both elegant and pragmatic […]
Collecting the shopping bags, boxes and other store ephemera is great fun. They put so much creativity into this branding, each one is keepsake in it’s own right.
“For the cat person of conscience” comes the Save-The-Tiger belt. An essential accessory that pulls many a BR outfit together with a bit of an edge. I think it’s a beautiful belt that would be shocking were it to have an actual tiger tooth, certainly, but it feels like a missed opportunity not to donate […]
Produced from 1985-1987, the Correspondent’s jacket came in Khaki, Ivory, Olive and Pewter over the years and has a variation that comes with pockets on the sleeves. It’s the quintessential bush jacket inspired by globe trotting journalists. From the catalog: ” An overseas tradition that has stood the test of Time, as well as Life, […]
I always thought these leather and linen Traveling Boots were way cool. The leather cuff, the floppy linen shaft contained by criss-crossed leather straps. So class and perfect with everything. The leather and linen combination made for some great looking bags as well. Page from Spring 1987. The boots were featured from Spring 1985 to […]
These bags were available from Spring 1985 through Spring 1986. Abridged from the catalog: “Traveling with natural fabrics is as dear to our hearts as the lure of the open road. As the premier travel clothing business in the nation, we have certain standards to uphold. Up til now, we’ve been able to offer very […]
The Kenya Convertibles are a concept Banana Republic did not invent, and it’s a common item now from other outfitters, but let’s just say BR made them famous. The idea was featured in 1982 and resurrected as BR factory made item in Summer 1985 and was a staple item through Fall 1988. From the Catalog: […]
I love the Yukon shirt. Ubiquitous in the catalogs, lined up in a wonderful array of colors like candies in a bowl. It came in a short-sleeved version, but to me the proper Yukon shirt is the long sleeve variety that will keep you cozy on a crisp fall day. It was introduced in summer […]
From the catalog: “It wasn’t fashion that inspired the World War II uniform known as battledress; it was economy. Because there simply wasn’t enough fabric around to make the customary kidney-covering tunics, wartime tailors whipped up a waist-length version instead. Ike liked it, and so did a lot of enlisted men-women too, who especially appreciated […]
The set of Elephant Bandanas were sold in the summer of 1985 and are very fun to collect. BR did a number of bandanas and scarves, but these have the best pattern and use of the logo in my opinion. They came in two color sets–“African” (khaki brown, red earth, tan, and blue) and “Indian_ […]
This Italian made bag is a fantastic artist’s bag, just the right size for a sketchbook or tablet, with pockets for pencils and a pouch for supplies, it’s unquestionably stylish and made to last. I actually prefer it to the Israeli Paratrooper briefcase for those trips when I don’t need a laptop bag. It’s one […]
Richard Walker is mentioned in the Wild Company book (pg. 106) as an American working in London as a buyer who helped connect the Zieglers with Mr. Brady for the Traveling Bag, among others. When they ran into difficulties with fussy English factories he sent them to Italy for designing their leather and linen bags. […]
Finding a packaged set of Banana Republic Ribbed Cotton Tights was a minor miracle! I love the unique camel artwork on the wrapper.
As advertised: “Patterned after a turn-of-the-century riding habit, our 100% Egyptian Cotton Safari Skirt is equally at home sidesaddle or astride (simply unbutton the front buttons for more legroom). Smoothly tapered over the hips, the skirt flares gently into a wide, mid-calf A line that’s ample yet not voluminous, a practical choice whether sitting or […]
The Traveler’s Roll Up Hat was a popular item featured from 1983-1987. The wool hat from England was designed to pop back into shape after being rolled up in a pocket or suitcase. It provides a no-fuss, classic look that truly evokes Banana Republic to me.
A rare sighting on eBay was this stunning example of the Gurkha Hat. It seem like a perfect hat for the Banana Republic Travel and Safari Company to sell (especially with all the Gurkha Shorts they sold!) but surprisingly, this hat was only featured once, in the 1983 Holiday catalog. It was made in England […]
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 […]
I recently set out to understand the differences among popular leather and linen English bags Banana Republic produced: The Low Profile Bag, The Correspondent’s Bag, Photojournalist Bag and Mr. Brady’s Traveler’s Bag. As is described in the Fall 1984 “Outfitters Who Outlasted the Empire” catalog the Zieglers contracted with many old English factories to produce […]
From the Spring/Summer 1986 catalogue: “Not to be confused with Ginger Rogers’ madcap costume for the Carioca scene in Flying Down to Rio, our version is a logical (yet also playful) extension of our extremely popular Carioca Shirt. Same slithery-cool fabric, same mischievous stripes; same extroverted spirit. Not the same: the length, (just below the […]
I’ve always had a hard time keeping these shirts straight in my mind, especially “Safari” vs “Expedition” so I created this guide as a cheat sheet. They all have different types and weights of fabric, but online pictures make it hard to tell. Pockets hold the most clues.
Newly Updated! 1985-1988 Available.
