In the 1970s, Banana Republic started out by buying old military surplus clothing and washing, restoring, and selling them. Pretty clever plan, if it’s sold right, and it was done very well indeed – the catalogs felt like a less flowery J. Peterman crossed with a dash of Paul Bowles fanboy. Lots of fun. Eventually, Banana Republic starting buying surplus fabrics and making their own clothes…. one thing led to another and they were bought by the Gap in 1983. The quality held on for a while – Italian-made cotton fleece, English and Italian luggage, and even US-made Ventile safari jackets.
I was paid for a delightful day helping Matt at the Flea with a gorgeous English-made shoulder bag from the spring 1987 collection, found for $5 at a thrift store. Lesli is pretty sure that it was made by Chapman, given the material and webbing clues. Stating the obvious, it’s sad to compare this gorgeous bag with Banana Republic’s current made in China offering:
I have many of the catalogues – couldn’t bear to toss them. I framed several for a client (kept them intact), and told her she had to return them to me when she changed “decor”.
Also, thought of your site when I read “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks”, because the author talked about a store in a nearly abandoned town, that had stacks of brand new (as in vintage, unsold) Wolverine? shoe boxes that she could see through a dusty window. I returned the book – it’s a great read, so maybe you can read it and find the info about the shop.
(I usually post as colorinformal)
HERE IN MADRID IN THE 80’S HAD A WONDERFUL STORE NOW IS ABSOLUTELY BRAND FOR OFFICE, GOOD POST
GREAT POST. I LOVED BR IN HIGH SCHOOL AND WHEN I FIRST SAW THE FLAGSHIP WITH THE LAND ROVER BUSTING THROUGH THE STORE I NEARLY LOST MY SHIT. HOW DO THEY LOSE THIER WAY? SAFARI JACKET ANYONE?
hey THB — fine post, indeed. & until going to the abandonedrepublic site, I had no idea the BR Safari jacket you gave me is made of Ventile — no wonder the Cascade Lakes mosquitoes can’t bite through it!
I remember being an early member of REI co-op. You could find great buys in surplus camping gear and clothing. Now that they have so many retail stores everything is Chinese made junk at top $$$$. I miss the good old days.
I used to love Banana Republic. I used to be able to get cute shoes made in Italy and Spain from them. Now they are all throw away junk from China. Prices stay the same but the quality is way down. Sad.
I have that bag! My father was a bit obsessive/compulsive about English field bags — he must have bought at least 2 dozen over the years from several producers — some are too pretty for me to beat up, but the BR version is one I use regularly.
Great post. I still remember the store on Ventura Blvd. Good memories and certainly an influence on my (mostly) tan wardrobe.
I have that canvas/leather bag from
Banana Republic Made in England.
A little mink oil on the leather and it was
as good as new