Notes from the Dressing Room- Banana Fana, Republic

With a day off from work, I was free to do what I felt like and so I ended up at the mall to check out a few stores. I must admit, I rarely step foot into Banana Republic. I think of it as a good place for work basics, but that's just it, everything is very basic. Not much pizazz or fancy colors, however I made it a point to take a look at the selection in store. I like to have variety in my wardrobe, so it might help to check out places not normally on my radar. I'm almost tempted to go to Express a store that hasn't been a must visit for me since college.
Disclaimer: This was all tried on at the petites store.

Silk Origami Blouse, $79.50, available here

Layered Skirt, $79.50, available here

This was a lovely silky blouse with some pleating details and a flattering neckline. My only issue is that this blouse is super sheer, so it would work best with a nude bra that is an exact skin tone match. Or at least pair it with a cardigan or blazer if you want to make sure it is office appropriate. It wasn't love with this top as I think $80 is a bit steep and I think this sleeve length looks like it wasn't sure it wanted to be short or long.

This skirt reminded me of a ruffle skirt I tried on at J Crew awhile ago. This skirt was very cute and the tiers worked well since they didn't poof out like some ruffled bottoms can do, but I ran into the issue of the length. Maybe I'm overly modest when it comes to skirt length, but I suppose it could be remedied with a pair of similar colored tights. 

Rose Ruffle Vest, $89.50, available here in clay

This vest looked cozy and the flower detail was cute, but the ruffle flap didn't lie flat which isn't good when it comes to a knit item. Otherwise, it creates bulk and who wants that. I liked it, but it was not quite a ten.

Morgan Knit Biker Jacket, $89.50, available here in limited sizes

Boyfriend Light Wash Busted Jeans, on sale here for $29.99

Such a cozy knit and I love the asymmetrical zipper. The only thing I'm not sure about is the shorter back, longer front (reverse mullet jacket). I can only imagine that coming in handy if you had to lift your arms, perhaps? My regular size was a tiny bit snug, so this would probably work best with a thin tee or tank underneath.

Although, I'm sure the trend is on the way out, I've been wanting a pair of boyfriend jeans. I found these on the sale rack with an additional 40% off sign which is always up my alley. They weren't horrible, but as I've heard on Project Runway a few times, the crotch was insane. :) Not flattering there, so these are a no go. I would appreciate a pair of jeans that do not give me non-existent man parts.

Boucle Zip Jacket, $198, available here

I dream of the day when I win the lottery and can afford to buy a Chanel blazer, so anything that evokes that vibe, I gravitate towards. This boucle blazer called to me and I absolutely love it!! It was warm, cozy and nicely fitted. The downside for me as that the snap buttons should have been black or gunmetal to blend into the jacket in case you wanted to wear it open.

That's all I tried on this time and to be honest, I still think Banana-Rama Republic is still a bit on the boring side. However, they do make some lovely dresses and I always see coupon codes floating around the blogosphere. I won't totally ignore it in the future because there are some gems among the racks.

Are you a regular Banana Republic shopper?