Wanting to give BR a second chance - YouLookFab Forum

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Wanting to give BR a second chance

Thistle

Veteran

So, I swore off Banana Republic a year ago when I bought a couple of pieces and they just didn't hold up at all.

After two wearings and a single hand wash, according to washing instructions, a rich purple sweater looked faded and pilled. I was beyond mad as this had been int he exact color and shape I had been searching for! Another top stretched out and looked ratty after a few wears. And a third sweater snagged so badly it became loungewear after a few wears.

Yet, I have on a BR sweater today in rich cobalt that has really held up well, fits beautifully, and I feel fantastic wearing. Granted, it is a bit older than last year's mishaps.

I want to give them another chance, but I have no idea how to tell what will be like my cobalt sweater and what will be like the purple disaster.

Anyone have any insight? I know a lot of retailers realyl have hit or miss quality, I just wish I could tell which was which!

Shopping

16 replies

Latest reply was from Suz

Ledonna N.

Veteran

I am sorry for your misfortune. I know that sometimes the same brands can be made at different locations even if it the exact same item. Somtimes the quality can be inferior. The only thing I can say is check the reviews of the item online if there are any. most sites have them. See what the content of the fabric is. And sometimes you have to take the leap of faith. I have had some garments wear like Iron and they were only a couple of dollars and more expensive items break down after 1 or 2 wears. Good luck on your journey.

Kimberley

Veteran

Hi Thistle ~ yes, as ladywone said: check the online reviews where possible. I have experienced this with different retailers and nothing makes me more frustrated than feeling like I wasted hard earned money and precious time finding the item in the first place.

ps - I miss your WIW pics!

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Thistle, you should take them back. I had a tee last year that pilled really badly after one wash, and mentioned it to the store one day, just in passing, and they were all over it. "bring it back, we'll refund you, we don't want you to be unhappy....". I never did cuz I like the tee too much, and will try to de-pill it for this summer. if it doesn't work, then I might try.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I agree, if something pills after one wash (following the tag instructions) then I'd for sure take it back. Items should last through normal wear and tear for a while without problems.

I think sometimes you can make a an educated guess based n how the item feels - is it sturdy and well constructed? does the fabric feel nice or wrinkle on the hanger or already have a pill or two - but sometimes you don't know how it's going to hold up. And sweaters and knit tops are the ones that are most likely to wear out super fast, whatever brand they're from, I've found.

I tend to buy as far as types of items - for example I've had several pairs of Old Navy jeans that have lasted super well, so I have no hesitation with buying more. Knit tees and woven tops, they've been more variable, from ON and anywhere else.

rabbit

Veteran

That's such a bummer. I agree with the suggestions to try a return first, maybe call them before going to the store to explain the situation. I'm trying out soaking highly saturated and black colored clothes in vinegar for awhile before the first cold wash to see if that helps with fading. With most sweaters however I try to avoid washing as much as possible (by wearing underlayers with sleeves mostly) and some I just dry clean if it only needs doing once a season.

Pills especially on fluffy sweaters don't bother me as I just fuzzbuster or shave them (or occasionally comb them with fine toothed metal comb) as long as the sweater doesn't seem to be losing volume/thinning. I have some sweaters which can pill a fair amount, but also wear very well, they are substantial, rarely if ever need washing, haven't faded or stretched or shrunk, etc. So I don't mind a quick depill along with the obligatory cat hair once over before wearing them. Silky or close knit sweaters are harder to depill, but it also can usually be done with care IMO.

kkards

Veteran

in the past year or so i have found the BR quality to be very different by item. sometimes you can tell by feeling the garment, and or looking at the construction. but over all it try to do what rabbit does, clean only when absolutely needed. i find that most sweaters really only need to be cleaned once or twice a season, if they are "airred out" after wearing.

April

Veteran

Agreeing with the suggestion to read the customer reviews. The one thing I would suggest, though, is to read carefully and not just to scan the number of stars or other ratings system.

So often, I read reviews like this: "I'm giving this one star. I love it in every way but I ordered my usual size Small and it's too tight on me. I'll have to return it." (You love it in every way but you wouldn't just exchange for a Medium?)

If you read through them and see more than one person mentioning poor quality, that's usually a good sign to stay away from a particular item.

Thistle

Veteran

You make very good points! My cobalt sweater I did buy on line and it had 4.5 stars.

The pieces I har trouble with I bought in the store.

Another bonus of online shopping

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I agree that taking items back at least lets the store know you are not satisfied and gives them a chance to at least try to make you happy.

I've had bad luck with most sweaters from BR. Linen shirts from last year and been fine but I only wash on delicate with like items and I don't put any of these items in the dryer except maybe on delicate for a few minutes to heat them a light bit to reduce wrinkles. I also have jeans and other tops from BR that have been fine. Sweaters are tricky at every price point it seems. Overall, I think the "heritage" items have worn better for me.

There are so many options for sweaters. If I had to wear them often I guess I'd spend more $$ but it's too warm here so I only own a few.

MsMaven

Veteran

It seems to me the quality of BR has gone down considerably in the last couple of years, especially when it comes to knit items. Some things seem to be fine though. I still go there but am more careful to examine the item. I do get carried away by their frequent "sales" and discounts and some times I buy stuff I end up never wearing--it would be better to save up for something of higher quality than waste money on stuff that is cheap and attractive just in the moment.

chadya

Veteran

I have not had a problem with the quality of their things but I just don't buy much there it is so boring. Or maybe it is geared more to the "working" person of which I am not. The casual things they sell i can get same @ GAP

sorry if this is a bit OT

K. Period.

Veteran

I've found them dishearteningly hit-or-miss lately. I was walking through the store a few weeks ago and was absolutely aghast at the low quality of the fabric on some of the shirts. It was awful. It looked...crunchy. (shudder) However, I'm always willing to try, so I should confess that I still went and bought a couple of items off their website two weeks later. Just hit-or-miss. (sigh)

Helena

Veteran

I swore off BR for a LONG time after an overpriced pair of sandals feel to pieces. However, now that they have such great online sales, I do pick up pieces from there; most are decent and worth the sale price if not the full price.

So I would suggest, give it a try, but wait for the sales ... they come up online every week or two as far as I can tell (that's in Canada; I imagine States is same or better).

Periwinkle

I used to be a total BR fanatic, but have cut back significantly due to repeated quality issues. I've had good luck with their merino wool and have found a some great skirts and dresses that held up well. I've had really bad luck with knits at BR. I've also had problems with almost anything that has a lot of stretch to it. I try to stick to natural fibers at BR as much as possible.

Maddeningly, all of the men's stuff I've bought at BR for DH has held up perfectly.

Gigi

Veteran

I buy a lot of stuff at BR, but I've only been shopping there for about a year, so I can't comment for really long-term quality issues. I will say that everything I've bought there has held up very well and seems to be very sturdy—but I buy only natural fibers, perhaps with a bit of spandex or nylon thrown in (I think the highest nylon percentage I have is 20%). So maybe the synthetic fabric stuff is more cheaply made?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Wow, an interesting range of experiences here!

I buy a fair bit of stuff at BR simply because it is one of my few online options with free returns. And for the most part I have been pretty happy with the quality -for-price ratio. I do generally buy the items at the discounted rates. I have their jeans (some are holding up really well, four years in, with pretty constant wear!), many tops, some knits, etc. This year's knits had a nice fluid fit.

I do have one merino sweater that shrunk in the wash this year, despite careful handling. I mentioned it to Mr. Suz and he (who orders even more from BR than I do -- he is legendary with the UPS man) said immediately: "Take it back!"

Apparently he takes returns a fair bit of stuff to them -- not just unworn stuff or items that don't fit (which I knew he returned.) But he also returns anything that does not hold up as he likes. And they always bend over backwards to help him. Much as Elizabeth P says -- they don't care if it has been worn. They will accept it.

I am slightly boggled by that (we don't usually enjoy that level of service around here) so to my mind, it's another good reason to shop with them.