Weekend Dress
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; with boots and a turtleneck if it’s cold; as a a bathing suit cover-up if it’s hot; as a nightshirt; with sandals; with heels. In fact, don’t bother going home Sunday night-simply wear the dress to work on Monday.”
Photos courtesy Kimberlee English Anderson. Thanks!!
I’m glad you liked my post, and I’m even gladder that you have created this site. I used to read the BR catalogs like novels. I’m glad to be able to relive that.
Thanks, Cynthia, it’s my pleasure. It was especially nice to read some perspective from a female BR fan, this blog tends to focus on what I know.
Same here. I was as interested in the stories as much as the clothes. And I bought all this stuff. Bought it, wore it, used it, loved it.
Still wearing a pair of button-fly jeans, held together with duct tape and repaired many times over with fusible web fabric stuff. Wearing ’em right now.
Namaskāra (reaching down to touch your feet and clasping hands together in front of you). I was a customer of Banana Republic in the second half of the 80s. I absolutely loved their stuff. What I don’t understand is why no one has thought to resurrect something like this, since a generation has passed since the last time something like this was available (25+ years). Today’s generation has not had the experience of shopping at such a store, nor wearing these clothes. The only stores I’m aware of is TravelSmith and Tag Safari (the latter being an absolute niche store – that is pretty much all the clothing they have, but it is good quality, long-staple cotton professional safari clothing that wears well: I’m one of their customers).
Oh, the sight of that catalog page, is so nostalgic. I loved BR, and was so disappointed when it sold. I told one of the Gap employees, how they ruined it. Did not make a hit with him. But thanks for this. I still have one of the scarves illustrated above.
I just discovered your site and I’m thrilled with nostalgia. Like Cynthia, I combed through the catalogs in the ’80s. I had this dress in Natural and wore it often with a couple of different belts. So simple, yet such a knockout.