The GQ Guide to Shopping Banana Republic in 2025
ShoppingEverything to buy—swaggering knit polos, Italian-milled suits, knife-sharp trousers—from the legendary American outfitter.By Reed NelsonJanuary 28, 2025Collage by Sarah CassutoSave this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.We're going to skip the breathless spiel about Banana Republic being good again. In 2025, the mall brand’s long-gestating resurgence is no longer breaking news. Which is great for anybody invested in the state of the contemporary menswear market, and especially great for anybody who digs designer duds but can’t always stomach their corresponding price tags.So yes, this isn’t the first time we’ve talked up Banana Republic’s bona fides—and it’s not going to be the last, either. Because just a few days ago, the retailer dropped a brand-spanking-new collection of cold-weather heat, and in typical BR fashion, the hits aren’t relegated to a solitary category.The shirts, for example, are firmly of the wear-every-day variety (those rumpled poplins are instant early contenders for the spring all-star team). Same goes for the relaxed-but-not-baggy chinos, which are crisp enough for the actual office but comfy enough for the home office. As ever, the polos are triumphantly class-leading—peep that new cable-knit number, in particular—and the suiting is as swashbuckling as an old Armani ad. In other words, Banana isn’t slipping. (Sorry, and we regret nothing.)The whole assortment is a lot to parse, so we highlighted everything the brand does best immediately below. Hankering for more? Head on over to the Banana Republic site to check it all out for yourself.The Banana Republic Hit ListThe Zippy Knit: Cotton-Blend Sweater Bomber, $180The Workhorse Chinos: Relaxed Stretch Chino, $90The Breezy Button-Up: Relaxed Fit Washed Poplin Shirt, $80The Swaggering Suit: Signature Italian Houndstooth Suit, $600The Megawatt Trucker: Nubuck Trucker Jacket, $500The Rich-Guy Polo: Relaxed Cotton Cable-Knit Sweater Polo, $120The Blanket-Soft Rugby: Cashmere Rugby Sweater, $180Looking for Something Specific?AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronLuxe-As-Hell KnitsTried-and-True TrousersPitch-Perfect PolosButton-Optional ShirtsLow-Profile JacketsSavvy SuitingLuxe-As-Hell KnitsA brand as well-rounded as Banana Republic doesn’t really have a tentpole category, but you’d be justified in considering their knitwear as such. The cadre of cashmere is built to layer and play nicely with pretty much any pair of pants you might own, the cardigans are the kind you find yourself moving furniture into and their cotton-blend collection is as comfortable (and versatile) as any sweatshirt currently in rotation. And if all the variety wasn’t enticing enough, it feels as luxe as the stuff three and four times the price.Banana RepublicCashmere Polo Cardigan$220 Banana RepublicBanana RepublicCotton-Blend Sweater Bomber$180 Banana RepublicBanana RepublicRelaxed Cable-Knit Cotton-Blend V-Neck Sweater$120 Banana RepublicBanana RepublicCashmere Rugby Sweater$180 Banana RepublicTried-and-True TrousersBanana Republic’s voluminous trousers have earned a lot of love recently, but that doesn’t mean the rest of their pant selection isn’t dialed. Quite the opposite, actually. Their new Relaxed Stretch Chino, for instance, will give you a healthy amount of room through a straight leg—and some stretch, unlike a few of the other comparable options—without being loud about it. For those looking for a more gradual transition into wider territory, the pleated-and-cropped iteration runs a little bit slimmer and also has a slight taper, while the straight-leg jeans and chinos are as classic as they come, dressing up or down without much fuss.Banana RepublicRelaxed Stretch Chinos$90 Banana RepublicBanana RepublicPleated Cropped Italian-Stretch Chinos$100 Banana RepublicBanana RepublicStraight Authentic Jeans$120 Banana RepublicBanana RepublicStraight Italian-Stretch Chino$100 Banana RepublicPitch-Perfect PolosWe’ve witnessed a few sartorial comebacks in the past few years, but the polo resurgence was something else altogether—particularly the knit variety—and few brands, regardless of size, do those better than Banana Republic. Johnny Collars, two-buttons, button-throughs… you name it, BR does it well, and they probably do it in whatever fabric you’re looking for. (I wore a linen-cotton button-through religiously until it was seasonally inappropriate to do so, and then continued wearing it for roughly three weeks after that.)Banana RepublicCashmere-Silk Sweater Polo$180 Banana RepublicBanana RepublicRelaxed Cotton Cable-Knit Sweater Polo$120 Banana RepublicBanana RepublicCotton-Blend Sweater Polo$90 Banana RepublicBanana RepublicSlim Luxury Touch Polos$70 Banana RepublicButton-Optional ShirtsAs an unabashed sweater fiend, I can relate to the mid-winter button-up blind-spot. It’s cold cold and sweaters are warm, there isn’t all that much introspectio
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
We're going to skip the breathless spiel about Banana Republic being good again. In 2025, the mall brand’s long-gestating resurgence is no longer breaking news. Which is great for anybody invested in the state of the contemporary menswear market, and especially great for anybody who digs designer duds but can’t always stomach their corresponding price tags.
So yes, this isn’t the first time we’ve talked up Banana Republic’s bona fides—and it’s not going to be the last, either. Because just a few days ago, the retailer dropped a brand-spanking-new collection of cold-weather heat, and in typical BR fashion, the hits aren’t relegated to a solitary category.
The shirts, for example, are firmly of the wear-every-day variety (those rumpled poplins are instant early contenders for the spring all-star team). Same goes for the relaxed-but-not-baggy chinos, which are crisp enough for the actual office but comfy enough for the home office. As ever, the polos are triumphantly class-leading—peep that new cable-knit number, in particular—and the suiting is as swashbuckling as an old Armani ad. In other words, Banana isn’t slipping. (Sorry, and we regret nothing.)
The whole assortment is a lot to parse, so we highlighted everything the brand does best immediately below. Hankering for more? Head on over to the Banana Republic site to check it all out for yourself.
The Banana Republic Hit List
- The Zippy Knit: Cotton-Blend Sweater Bomber, $180
- The Workhorse Chinos: Relaxed Stretch Chino, $90
- The Breezy Button-Up: Relaxed Fit Washed Poplin Shirt, $80
- The Swaggering Suit: Signature Italian Houndstooth Suit, $600
- The Megawatt Trucker: Nubuck Trucker Jacket, $500
- The Rich-Guy Polo: Relaxed Cotton Cable-Knit Sweater Polo, $120
- The Blanket-Soft Rugby: Cashmere Rugby Sweater, $180
Looking for Something Specific?
Luxe-As-Hell Knits
A brand as well-rounded as Banana Republic doesn’t really have a tentpole category, but you’d be justified in considering their knitwear as such. The cadre of cashmere is built to layer and play nicely with pretty much any pair of pants you might own, the cardigans are the kind you find yourself moving furniture into and their cotton-blend collection is as comfortable (and versatile) as any sweatshirt currently in rotation. And if all the variety wasn’t enticing enough, it feels as luxe as the stuff three and four times the price.
Tried-and-True Trousers
Banana Republic’s voluminous trousers have earned a lot of love recently, but that doesn’t mean the rest of their pant selection isn’t dialed. Quite the opposite, actually. Their new Relaxed Stretch Chino, for instance, will give you a healthy amount of room through a straight leg—and some stretch, unlike a few of the other comparable options—without being loud about it. For those looking for a more gradual transition into wider territory, the pleated-and-cropped iteration runs a little bit slimmer and also has a slight taper, while the straight-leg jeans and chinos are as classic as they come, dressing up or down without much fuss.
Pitch-Perfect Polos
We’ve witnessed a few sartorial comebacks in the past few years, but the polo resurgence was something else altogether—particularly the knit variety—and few brands, regardless of size, do those better than Banana Republic. Johnny Collars, two-buttons, button-throughs… you name it, BR does it well, and they probably do it in whatever fabric you’re looking for. (I wore a linen-cotton button-through religiously until it was seasonally inappropriate to do so, and then continued wearing it for roughly three weeks after that.)
Button-Optional Shirts
As an unabashed sweater fiend, I can relate to the mid-winter button-up blind-spot. It’s cold cold and sweaters are warm, there isn’t all that much introspection required. But a) we’re on the cusp of it not being cold cold and b) Banana Republic’s button-up assortment is the kind you can build an entire spring wardrobe around. And lest you think it’s all rakish poplins and workhorse Oxfords, they’re currently offering some sturdier twill options that can play some serious double-duty in the coming months.
Low-Profile Jackets
You might not have spring jackets on your mind quite yet, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t a good time to nab one. It might even be a great time once you consider BR’s new collection of nubuck truckers, sherpa chore coats, and the like. And if you’re worried about utility—a worthy concern when rivers are freezing—know that you can layer one under a big coat just like any chunky sweater while we’re still in the depths of winter.
Savvy Suiting
In no world is $600 “inexpensive” or “cheap,” but when it comes to suiting options, Banana Republic’s feel—and wear—like those well into four-digit territory. This season, for instance, they’re employing a subtle houndstooth wool fabric—produced by the legendary Lanificio Angelico mill in Italy—that’s a gorgeous alternative to flat navy, as well as a versatile tropical wool, both of which can be split up without much hesitation.
