Non-iron Banana Republic fitted shirts - are they good? - YouLookFab Forum

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Non-iron Banana Republic fitted shirts - are they good?

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I need to replace a white shirt which had a dye from a red dress on it and also I want to add a black shirt to my collection as well. Banana Republic is having a sale right now and I am considering if they are worth ordering:
http://bananarepublic.gapcanad.....;cid=51166
Anybody had experience with those? Worth a try?
Also this blue shirt with white cuffs and collar - any ideas if this style is worth trying?
http://bananarepublic.gapcanad.....8;cid=5039
Thanks!

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22 replies

Latest reply was from krishnidoux

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sveta, did you just see me pin that blue and white shirt on my board? I have it :). Mine fits more menswear style though. I LOVE it. I do not like any of the other BR shirts though. They just don't look as good as the BB's shirts for my style.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Thanks Angie, I did see now. How do you plan to wear it, Angie? Is it going to be as versatile as your white and black ones (I LOVE how you wear those!) BTW it looks too tight on the model, like one size too small - I wonder if she even can button it up all the way
May I ask why these other shirts do not work for you? Because they are sateen? Because you don't like the fabric quality? Style? You are such a pro with button downs, I wish I can learn from you

Belladogga

I have a couple of these shirts and they work for my purposes. They've held up well in our washing machine with no gentle cycle.

Will you be able to try on in store? You might think about sizing up in these shirts. With my regular size BR size there is slight gapping at the bust (I'm an A cup) and it feels a little uncomfortable across the upper arms. Going up a size solves these problems.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have one in white and it's my back-up to my BB fitted shirt -- I like the BB one better for the fit (and it truly needs no ironing, yay!) but the BR is a decent alternative.

sarah

Veteran

I have two of these and I like them - the fabrication (at least several years ago) is substantial and they fit well. They do gap on me, but everything does, and I have to pin or tape button downs shut. The BB shirts actually don't fit me well. These are better, but that's probably due my petite, short-waisted, busty frame, which is the opposite of you!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I have one and I like it a lot. I do not own a Brooks Brothers shirt (yet). So I can't compare.

My orchid coloured shirt is the BR no-iron sateen. For fit reference, I wear a 2 petite in the shirt. As Sarah says, the fabrication is substantial, for me there is no bust gap (and yes, even small busted women can get bust gap, especially if they have shoulders, as I do!) and it holds up REALLY well without the iron. I wore mine on an all day car trip and emerged looking just as fresh as when we departed!

In this photo it is sticking a bit to the cotton rib tank I'm wearing underneath; this was an outfit for the picture challenge so I was layering for colour reference. I could perhaps wear the larger size if I tended to layer a lot, although it does fit smoothly with a BP cami underneath.

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sveta, what I am about to share is a TOTALLY personal thing and *not at all* the way you should feel about BR shirts. Please try one!! These ladies look divine in their BR shirts and I have many clients who love them too

As for me, I don't wear BR button down shirts because I find them too feminine. I like more of a stiff and less structured menswear vibe for these basic items. I love the blue and white style because of the starched menswear cuffs and collar. Also, I wear my basic button down shirts a lot looser than most people on this forum (on purpose because I am after a more boyish look).

If I want to wear a perfectly fitting, very tailored and feminine button down shirt - I am lucky to have a slew of Anne Fontaine darlings to choose from. So it's not that I don't like the look of a very fitted and feminine button down - of course I do!!! But I want my basic button downs to look and feel different.

I wonder if that makes any sense at all?

As for what I wear with my blue and white menswear shirts (I have a few):

- all my black bottoms
- all my white bottoms
- all my grey bottoms
- my grey and black polka dot midi
- my coral jeans

Totally works in many of my capsules.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It makes total sense to me, Angie, and is super helpful. I agree; these fit (should fit) in a very fitted, feminine way. I tried on a size up in a GORGEOUS colour; it was on sale and it was about the most beautiful colour for me I've ever seen (a rich cranberry) but truthfully, it looked awful in the larger size; it is meant to fit snug and look feminine - to hug the curves. If you are wearing a jacket or other layer over it and are basically wearing it for the collar and cuffs peeking out, that may not matter, Sveta, and could be an advantage if you ALSO want to wear it on its own, as a feminine looking shirt. But if you are looking for a boyish vibe, these shirts do not fit the bill.

I like both types of shirt, which is one reason why I'm ordering some BB's shirts when hubby goes to the US next month!

If I could treat myself to an Ann Fontaine shirt, I surely would! So the BR shirts are sort of a poor girl's alternative...not really a TRUE alternative because they lack the fab styling details and fabrication. But I find mine a useful wardrobe item, for sure.

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

Sveta, this is a great post and I'm happy you brought it up, and Angie, I savor the personal details you share. (OT: Angie, how do you see the pin on your board?)

I have both the BB and BR and still await the purchase of an Anne Fontaine lovely! I bought the non-iron BB shirt shortly after joining YLF after seeing Angie in one and talking about its wonderful features and qualities (and a few more later). I love them and have them in fitted and tailored in a 2P. I also have two BR non-iron shirts and they have a sateen finish and work out fine. However, I prefer the BB for the feel of the fabric against my skin, the stability of the non-iron effect and the dependable way the cuffs can be scrunched and folded with ease.

Both of your shirt considerations are very pretty, Sveta. Hope this helps!

Meredith1953

Veteran

I have the gray one in the first picture. It holds up well and suits my purpose but I am sure that the BB would be finer quality.

Anonymous

I have tried on the BR shirts in their outlet store, but to me they were just "meh". Perhaps they're lesser quality than their regular store, because I saw nothing like what Suz has.

I recently bought my first white BB shirt on Ebay and I am ASTOUNDED at the quality and fit. I got it for less than the BR Outlet shirts and in a white shirt the quality is so noticable. Is Ebay an option for you in Canada?

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for chiming in, ladies!
I agree that BB shirt is of impeccable quality and feel. It has one flaw though: it is too short on me! I got fitted in size 10 and it is very fitted (bordering on snug) on me and a bit too short to wear with trousers on its own. I have a slight hope that if I can get size 12 in tailored fit it may be longer? Next time I am in US I will check out the store: their shipping policy is very expensive for Canada.
I have bought this BR shirt in pale violet on super sale ($30) but I am waiting for my new washer to arrive t wash it first. I see the difference in fabrication from BB and I think I prefer BB on eif not for tht stupid length issue. BR shirt in size 12 has a perfect length for me.
If BB shirts end up too short after all is there any alternative for longer nice crisp shirts?
Angie, I value so much your personal input, it just allows to learn form you. Thanks for the blue shirt styling tips: I think I will give it a try.

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

p.s. Sveta, chiming in again to say that while my BB's were 2P, my BR shirts were 0 and 0P FWIW. I see what you mean about the overall length; do they come in tall?

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Vicki, I see petite but no tall

krishnidoux

Veteran

Sveta, I do have two BR shirts, on of which is the same as Suz. I like them, in theory, but have a hard time integrating them to my wardrobe! And I find I do have to iron them every time.

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Suz, love your thinking on the BR shirts. I hope that you find the perfect cranberry shirt one day

Vicki, you can view my pinterest boards here. The BR shirt in white and blue is pinned onyo a board called "Items". Glad you love all your shirts! You wear them so well

http://pinterest.com/youlookfab/

Glad that my 2 cents helped, Sveta. The tailored BB shirts do run short an the taller gals - but you should definitely size up to a 12. You'll get a loser fit too.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Sveta, that makes total sense. Now that I think about it, my BB shirts are shorter on me than the BR shirt. Maybe sizing up and having a simple alteration would do the trick.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Krish, do you have hard time to integrate BR shirts or any shirts?
Angie, any 2 cents from you are always educational and extremely useful! Do you find fitted BB shirts are a bit longer than tailored? Also do they usually have a good selection in the stores: it is too expensive to order online if it may not fit. I plan on visiting a store when I am in US next time and try different styles and sizes on to see if anything works.

Lulu

Sveta--your dilema inspired my first posting! I too am "vertically gifted" so share your pain. I have tried bb shirts in the past and while the quality is lovely, i agree there is no tail for tucking. I have found a good alternative in the j crew stretch perfect shirt, which comes in a "tall" option. Not sure if jc is available to you without horrendous shipping costs attached? You do need to order them online, as the tall is not available in stores. I like that the shirt offers generous length overall as well as additional sleeve length, while staying true to size otherwise. The shirt is tailored and fitted, and ordering by bust size seems to provide an accurate fit.

While they do not advertise a "no iron" feature for this shirt, i find it requires only a bit of touch up to polish it off after laundering.

Jc continuously offers this shirt in seasonal colors, as well as standard options like black and white. As with all their merchandise, eventually it goes on sale, particularly as they transition to the next season. Maybe a good time to test drive one?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Sveta, how about going to the Toronto store and trying on in person? You could call to see if they have the stock. They are downtown in the Royal Bank Centre, I believe.

The prices are higher than in the US and if we order online we still have to order from the US. But they do have the one store.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Lulu, thanks. I really don't want to get into online shipping as it is expensive and also I tend to keep things which are not perfect because it is too expensive and too much of a bother to return. Thanks for the tip though!
Suz, I may if I will be in Toronto. However I planned to swing by this store if I go to NAS - they have it in the same mall.

krishnidoux

Veteran

Sveta, I have a hard time with the BR shirts only. I wear other shirts. The BR shirts are, like Angie said, too feminine for a crisp androgynous look. They are also too stiff (as in too office-like) for the rest of my wardrobe. But they do feel fantastic and fit well, I look like a million bucks in them, so I have hope to find a way to wear them more. I think my problem might be finding an appropriate bottom (and an appropriate lifestyle too). The bottoms need to be sturdier in fabric whereas lots of my bottoms are too soft, too thin for the shirts. If I wear them with jeans, I feel very self-conscious of my movements because I don't want to ruin them. I do have other crisp shirts which I wear, with a more masculine cut, on me the look is very "preppy"; but these shirts are not "preppy", they are more "yummy office-like". And I don't work in an office, I'm a teacher. I need to move and not care about ruining my clothes.

Although Suz seems to have found a fantastic way to wear hers casually and with panache and style. I should take inspriation from her.

Hope this helps...