Hi! I will be visiting NYC this summer. Besides sightseeing I would like to do some shopping, especially buying American brands I can't find in my own country.
I've read in the European board about Banana Republic and others, as very popular in America. What's exactly their style? What kind of people wear these clothes? Could you tell me what to expect?

What country do you live in?

Carmen,

Take a look at bananarepublic.com. You'll get the idea. All sorts of people wear their clothing. All types of people wear their stuff, by in my area, most younger working professionals. Regarding fit, the clothes are best suited and look more attractive on those who are proportionate in terms of height/weight because the lines are very clean and they tend towards solid colors rather than patterns.

Carmen,

Banana, Gap, Ann Taylor, J. Crew are all very similar in a lot of their styles. Definatley take a look at their web sites to get a better idea. The store in downtown NYC is really great!

There is a Banana Republic in every major city all over Europe.

x and Wendy: Thank you for your answers. I will take a lot at the homepage you mention. Yes, young and stylish is that I'm looking for.
Mathis: I live in Spain.
Please ([email protected]): If you know there's a B.R. store in every mayor city all over Europe, could you tell me where the spanish ones are located? That way I could visit one of them here and know about them. Anyway, I haven't heard of them here.

top

http://www.bananarepublic.com/default.htm

shop where ever you live at Banana Republic

I fear you may be disappointed at Bananna Republic. They are owned by the Gap. I believe that the quality has gone downhill in the last few years, both from a fashion and garment construction standpoint. My opinion must be shared by many, because their sales and stock price have dropped considerably.

Still, it's worth a trip. I think Ann Taylor has very nice things, although a bit expensive.

Banana doesn't really have that many styles and it's expensive if you don't buy on sale. It's best for work since the styles are somewhat plain and conservative but the quality of material is good. I think the chains you have in Spain like Mango and Zara are much better.

Just curious - does anyone remember the real "Banana Republic?" Before they sold out to the Gap. They used to have neat, travel type clothes back then. South-of-the-border, jungle-going clothes. Now, it's gotten to the point where the clothes are non-descript.

Their clothes before Gap were better made,better material,not such cheap quality.
JCrew is better also.

I know--the quality of Chinese prison labor has really gone downhill in the past few years. The bpolitical prisoners used to show better attention to detail than the general population.

I actually worked for BR both before and after the Gap took hold. It was completely different as was the case with Ambercrombie and Fitch. They were true safari and adventure travel stores. Very cool and fun to work for!

Yes, Capt, I remember the old Banana Republic. I interviewed with them while I was still in college and all they sold was safari clothes!