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Another BR magic sweater lover here.

Anonymous

After looking at and reading so much about the BR magic washable merino wool sweater here , I took a good look at them in store the other day , and then bought 2 With a huge dose of skepticism, I might add. I hate body -con sweaters, hate them, and DO NOT want any suggestion of bra band/strap-meets-flesh puffiness . Can't stand seeing that - probably my biggest poison eye agitator. Anyhow, I bought Larges, because BR sizing intimidates me at the best of times, and because I wanted some easy and fluidity. Wearing the black one right now, and holy cow is this a comfortable, flattering, soft and nicely fitted sweater. Never thought I would say those words, and never thought I'd see myself in something so slim again in my lifetime. I don't buy "basics", like plain sweaters and long sleeved t's because I never know what to do with them, but this little number has me smitten. Perfect weight and shape to wear with trousers or jeans and a coat . The neck is also not too high at all, which was my other worry as I'm not exactly skinny and flat-chested. Not too plain as to be boring, either. I'm going back for a few more tomorrow

Banana Republic

Washable Merino Ribbed Sweater

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Banana Republic

Washable Merino Ribbed Sweater

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Shopping

49 replies

Latest reply was from lyn67

Kate

Veteran

I bit that bullet too, Lisap. Ordered the dark brown and the ivory, and they're due to arrive tomorrow. If they work for me, I might spring for the olive one, because, well, olive. Hard to resist.

Helena

Veteran

Yay!!!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh, nice! I'm glad those worked out for you. I avoided them for the same reason you did. I abandoned ribbed sweaters a long time ago. I think a photo of me in a fitted ribbed turtleneck about 20 years ago traumatized me forever -- and I was 15-20 lbs smaller then! It's just not a good look for the busty.

Anonymous

I hear you , Janet, but this sweater does not have that effect - at all. I doubt I'll be wearing it without a topper of some kind , but for under a coat or leather jacket when you are out and about all day and don't want to wear a thick sweater......It just gives such a polished look I realized I've been missing. I think you'd be pleasantly surprised.

Helena

Veteran

Janet, I have the opposite bust issues, but also the ribbing is not straight up and down on this one; it has some angles to it ... So not quite as noticeable an effect as the traditional ribbing.

Murph11

Veteran

I bought the cream one, and it's knit with some sort of magic! Now I want the blue and olive.

Anonymous

Our store doesn't stock a lot of the colours, and I'd love the olive and maybe even that burgundy heather-ish colour ...the red seemed super orange to me and a little outside my comfort zone. I'll be getting the grey for sure though, and hoping there is a navy too.

Sal

Veteran

I am a bit tempted myself as this is a gap for me too. I love the olive and the tomato red - I am not in the mood for warm clothes shopping right now though.

Anonymous

Warning - the tomato red is really orange, not red.

Style Fan

Veteran

I need to check these out for sure. I am making a trip to BR tomorrow.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

What they call “burgundy red” looks really purple on my screen. Does it seem that way in person?

Sal

Veteran

I agree Janet, it looks very purple to me too. Thanks Lisa - I do wear orange but it is good to know. I am not going to bite right now but will see if they are available in the new year when I know what my plan is.

Colette

Veteran

I have three! I saw the burgundy in person and it is purple to my eye so I passed. I also passed on the olive, not sure if there is a yellow undertone that didn’t work for me because I normally love a good olive.

Anonymous

Haven’t seen the burg /purple in person . Going back tomorrow for further reconnaissance .

Aquamarine

Veteran

This is good to know. All that ribbing scared me off too, but now I am intrigued.

Irina

Veteran

Well, well, well. Got mine in M petite, which is my size lately. But after wearing mostly oversized sweaters, found it a bit too fitted for me in mid section. Ordered an L. Got it and still unsure - fits more fluidly on my body but too lose on the hips (mine are narrow) and a bit too long. But fits in the shoulders and mine are narrow, go figure their sizing and cut!
love the knit itself, so soft! Cream color is not available in petite! I saw it in the store - simply beautiful. Stores do not have all the colors, better order online.

KikiG

Veteran

I interviewed it, but it was a sad and immediate fail in spite of the nice quality. Sizing up wasn't going to fix it. However, in trying it, I went to the mall to return it, and dropped by Sephora for a couple of items that required judgment, and found the most fantastic fragrance that I'm madly in love with.

https://www.sephora.com/produc.....as-P394141 Apparently, it is a non-gendered fragrance.

RobinF

Veteran

Interesting, such love for this sweater! So tempting but I'm just not sure how ribs would work on me and how I would use it. I am a layer-er and it doesn't seem like it would layer well.

Irina

Veteran

Lisa, I wonder - you said you doubt you will be wearing it without a topper but how would you feel if you need to remove a jacket? When I bought M for myself, I found it fits nicely under a jacket or a blazer. But I need it to work on it's own. I have a couple of tops I wear under cardigans in colder months. They are layering pieces only. Do you consider this sweater a strictly layering piece? May be I'm just looking for an excuse to keep a sweater

Glory

Veteran

Very tempted as per my usual lemming style :).
I may try to get to the store in person to check fit but mostly itch factor.

Helena

Veteran

I know I've already said this three times elsewhere but lovers of this sweater, if history holds true, next years version may not be as good quality ... be warned! For me, I'm sitting on my hands trying not to order a third hahah ...

I seem to recall the burgundy being quite purple as well. The hot pink is very bright ... but very tempting as a statement (for me) piece!

Anonymous

As to the layering /wearing alone issue: I'd be absolutely comfortable having to take my coat off and just have this sweater on if I were stopping for coffee or lunch somewhere, say . It looks more interesting than a plain merino knit because of the wide ribbing , and because I sized up it's not clinging to my stomach and waist. No, it's not the best look ever as a stand-alone piece ON ME because I'm not fat-free and I have a short torso , but that's not what I bought it for. I bought it to look sleek and polished under a coat, which is what I wear when I'm out being a sales rep. I'd layer it under a blazer or bomber or leather jacket too. By sizing up, it is longer on me that I'd ideally love, but I'm not over analyzing this. It's a , what - $60 sweater and it's very comfortable and polished looking. Far moreso than my $30 H&M vaguely itchy sweaters that I'm now completely over but of course have about 5 of . (Eyeroll at that) . I'll wear one today and try to take a picture

Jules

Veteran

Great helpful review, thanks lisap. I need more basic pieces like these. I find my statement tops rarely wear out before I get sick of them so despite not buying all that much I currently have a closet full of good condition blouses etc that I am sick of and want to purge. Good jeans, basic tops and good shoes on the other hand I will generally wear out.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Glad it worked for you! I ordered it first in my usual size but it was too narrow on me, esp. on the shoulders, so I sized up and am keeping these two for sure and might go for another. The red was too orange for me, alas (I'd have loved it in red.)

It's very comfy and a nice lightweight warm underlayer.

I have a darker navy from several years back that I still wear -- it's a standard in my closet for under a jacket. (Find #3) The right necklace or scarf can make these more wearable on their own if you have to take the coat or jacket off.

Banana Republic

Washable Merino Ribbed Sweater

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5

Banana Republic

Washable Merino Ribbed Sweater

View Info

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26

Banana Republic

Machine Washable Merino Scallop Crew

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Irina

Veteran

Thanks, Lisa. I'm going to try my L size sweater again and will make a decision. I do like the look and feel of it. Why a petite L looks a bit too long on me, I have no idea. I really, really need a black thin sweater to wear under leather jackets and blazers.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

ETA -- the fit on these sweaters (the newer ribbed and the older) is quite different.

The newer ones, as the photos suggest, are (to my mind) extremely narrow on the shoulder. If your shoulders are square (never mind broad) you may need to size up. When I did that, I found the body portion fit very fluidly -- even a bit loose. They stretch very comfortably. They don't cling.

The older version is a more traditional fitted ribbed sweater. Snug all the way through, but the shoulders fit more easily (on me at least).

slim cat

Veteran

I stoped by BR and tested/touched those merino sweaters - they are as soft and nice as everyone said! However I can't justify buying even one of them since I still got couple perfectly wearable ones from before ( one - wine colored from BR and one striped - from Smartwool ).
I feel so happy for you lisa p that the sweaters work and bring you joy!

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Fun to see the love for this sweater! I got the pink in a regular size small and the fit is perfect. Honestly it almost fits like a petite, as the sleeves are none too long and the shoulder seams hit my small shoulders in the perfect spot. To my eyes, in person, the pink isn't as bright as it appears in the photo.

Banana Republic

Washable Merino Ribbed Sweater

View Info

Top Pick

15

Anonymous

Suz - that may explain why the L works for me . I have nice square shoulders in good proportion to my body when it's not loaded with extra fat (like it is now) and often when I upsize in a top to get ease across the bust and midsection, the shoulders are too big. I'm wearing the black one again today - and it's certainly loosened up even more. I came home from BR a few mins ago with a grey L and the blue (lol) in an M, just out of curiosity. Haven't tried the M on yet. Really wanted olive, but none left in stock. The blue is an interesting shade, isn't it?

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