Working at Banana Republic right now is going to make me go broke. Seriously. I’ve been with the company now for 7 years, and while it’s normal to get excited when new collections drop, I literally lost my mind yesterday when I finally saw everything in-store. See, I always find a few pieces here and there that I personally like, but its been a looooong time since I’ve ponied up a pretty penny on multiples because not only did they look good, they looked good on ME.

Let me explain: contrary to popular belief, thinking something is cute doesn’t mean that it will necessarily look cute on you. You have to take into consideration fit, color, body type, styling, all of that when picking out clothes. I’m a freelance stylist, so once I know your personal style and measurements, it’s pretty easy for me to pull different pieces that will work for you-that doesn’t always mean that those pieces will be flattering on me, though. While I’m lucky that I get to play in the new stuff before everyone else, I don’t always get to shop, but man, oh man, I had fit sessions in between customers and I found waaaaay too much stuff yall, lol. I didn’t throw my budget completely out the window, but I was really, really happy with my purchases.

I left work with:

 

Linen Henley Pocket Tee, $45

Sooo soft, this is one of those tees that you can sleep in, throw on with jeans, and even dress up with some crepe or fitted pants. I bought the navy heather color, but I want the coral, olive, and heather gray one too. I went down a size to keep it from being too loose, but it still retained the length, which I liked.

Cap-Sleeve Crepe Top, $69.50

This is loose, but still skims the body so that it has a shape. I usually don’t like cap-sleeves bc they can cut your arm off funny, but this one hits at a pretty good spot so I don’t have to wear a cardigan or jacket with it (aka safe for those that work in the office!). It’s a little longer so it works great with leggings or really fitted pants BUT you can slouch it up a bit to wear with jeans; if you have a smaller waist this will easily tuck into a skirt. I got the burgundy color (what can I say, it looks pretty against my skin), but i might get the black one as well. It fit me true to size.

Dolman-Sleeve Shirttail Tee, $45

This is a typical long-sleeve tee..but it’s not. The scooped neckline is so flattering (I like it better than crew), and the dolman sleeves allow you to have a little room in the arms and upper back (but don’t worry, it doesn’t flare out). It’s a little longer BUT, if you go down a size, the fit is still loose but it will shorten it a bit. I stayed true to size bc I actually liked the length, and I plan to tuck a piece of the front part in when I wear it with drapey pants. I was able to hunt down our drapey vest in the camel color last week, and this tee will be perfect with it with boots when it’s cold. I got the burgundy color, and the dark heather gray (more like charcoal), but I’m going to get the black as well. It’s just too easy of a tee to let get away.

Drapey Dolman-Sleeve Blouse, $79.50

So let me tell you about this blouse. The color is BEAUTIFUL (cobalt), and the fit is so silky, but it’s totally outside of my comfort zone. When deciding on if I should get it, my coworker (well 2, actually, lol) pointed out that I typically go for pieces that can be layered, and bc this one doesn’t need it and is a little more refined, that’s why I was hesitant to get it. Any you know what? They were right. I knew I loved it bc I started dancing in it in the fitting room, but I kept stalling on saying yes. Once I figured out how I could wear it (leather leggings for a night out, distressed denim to make it more funky), I decided to go ahead and say yes. I always layer, and I kinda want to get away from it so this will be the first piece to help me. If you have broader shoulders, it’s true to size. If not (or you have a smaller upper body), you may be able to go down a size.

What I’m Getting Later (I told you, I had SUCCESS, lol):

Mixed Media Muscle Tank, $45

This is kinda like a 2-in-1 piece tank, so you don’t have to wear a cami with it (just do a nude bra). It’s longer but has a little bit of ruching on the sides and has a higher neckline, so this is a top that was made for girls who have a small bust and/or love rockerish tank-tops. The neckline is what sold me on it (either do a lone chain or skip and wear with statement earrings); it’s one of those tops you put on when you feel like being a bit of a bad ass and there’s possibly some leather involved. It can be sweetened with a cream or light heather gray jacket, but you really don’t want to hide that side detail just yet. This runs pretty true to size.

Crepe High Low Tunic, $74.50

Ugh, this tunic. It fits similarly to the Cap-Sleeve Crepe Top but it’s a little longer in the back. If you’re going out and want to be sassy but still covered up, this was made for that. It comes in white w/an XO graphic on it but the black version was my jam. This runs pretty true to size.

Soft Pleated Skirt, $89.50

This skirt in blush is so stinkin cute. Most people are hesitant to do a lighter color at the bottom (esp a pleated bottom), but because the pleats are small, it works. I lucked up on both a black + navy pleated skirt from us 3 years ago after an online return and although they’re a little longer (they come to my shins while this one hits above the knee) so it’s an even more flattering fit. I have a light chambray shirt that this will be perfect with. The olive color is cute too, but there’s just something about the blush that speaks to me. I can already see pairing it with my burgundy tee + either cognac or leopard print shoes. This runs pretty true to size (though you may be able to size down depending on the length, and if you have a smaller waist).

Outside the Box Graphic Tee, $39.50

I just wrote about wanting to have more graphic tees so…yea. This has a boxier fit (you can go down a size and it’ll still be loose), and isn’t too long. It will be hella cute with both drapey pants and under a blazer. I had to choose between this tee and the Henley and the Henley won bc I want to wear it a few times before I invest in more. The graphic tee will (hopefully) still be there.

Printed Tiered Dress, $140

This. Dress. Is. Gorgeous. Higher neckline with a more curved shoulder cutout, and the tiers lay flat against the body. The only problem, it was a little snug through the bust, so I would need to go up a size. if I were short-waisted, it probably would’ve fit perfectly. I’m obsessed with this print, though, and I hope we get more pieces in with it.

Anyway, there were more things I tried on and want, but that’ll have to come in another post (to keep me from blowing my budget, lol). I like that with this collection, there are still pieces that are trendy, but we have way more options to choose from, pieces are less casual, and the fit is a little longer and streamlined. I’m only 5″3, so if something is too boxy it will completely overwhelm my frame. Plus, everything I purchased can be worn for both work and play, which is what I need considering I have so many after work activities thanks to this here blog. Marissa and the design team did a great job with this one!

As I wear pieces I’ll be sure to share. 🙂

Have you shopped the new collection yet? What’s on your wishlist?

#itsbanana banana republic Fashion shopping