Did you know that early Banana Republic stores featured a Jeep? It was a design directive in support of the brand’s safari aesthetic. Banana Republic Travel & Safari Clothing Company was the original name of the retailer. The brand was inspired by trips to far-flung locations that the gentleman of the founding couple took as part of his nine-to-five as a journalist. In the late 1970s, if you wanted a belted utility jacket or a pair of breezy pleated cuffed cargo shorts, Banana Republic Travel & Safari Clothing Company was the place to score.
Five years after establishing Banana Republic, the Zieglers sold their company to Gap Inc. With the acquisition, the brand took a turn for the less eclectic and more luxe and in turn, lost the original Banana Republic DNA. There are times where the current brand references it’s heritage with a safari print, but for the most part the old BR is long gone.
the dress
I had my eye on this dress since last autumn. It is part of the Banana Republic Heritage Collection and one of the styles that was available in tall. I was sold on the fabric content (silk, not some polyester garbage) and the minimalist slip dress cut.
I initially remember discovering the Heritage Collection along with the (now defunct) Monogram Collection back in 2010. Every other year or so, Banana Republic will release an especially fantastic Heritage Collection. This year, the majority of the items are available in extended sizes, up to size 18 as well as tall size range.
I am wearing a size 12 tall in the dress. The dress fits clingy, as it is cut on the bias.
the headband
Do you recall the reintroduction of headbands via Lauren Conrad during her early The Hills years? The reality star got them trending in 2006. They were not major until a primary character in a CW teen drama sported one. Since Blair Waldorf donned one in the opening season of Gossip Girl, the brand was established as the headband standard. I certainly hope Jennifer Behr sent Gossip Girl costume designer Eric Daman a muffin basket.
This Jennifer Behr number was on sale via Neiman Marcus which is how I came to find it in my collection. To say finding Jennifer Behr headbands at Lele Sadoughi prices is my kink is an understatement. I am a sucker for the velvet, the huge knot, and the shade of pink. Bonus: the fact that it does not leave me with a headache as so many cheaper headbands do.
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