October 2012 Banana Republic Fitting Room Reviews and Recent Purchases

Yesterday morning, after a nice long nap, I spent a few hours of my post-call day shopping!  It's such a nice way to de-stress after a long night's work.  I hadn't initially planned on going, but I thought I'd take a nice browse through the sales racks after I saw the BR extra 35% off coupon (available on their Facebook page for 10/23/12 only).  I wasn't too impressed with the store offerings, but I grabbed a few items to try on for size.

Bridget Stripe Belted Knit Dress

Price: $59.99 (orig $89.50)   Size: small petite     Style #: 423736

I feel like I can never have enough nautical inspired clothing.  I'm not sure what it is about navy and white stripe patterns, but it never fails to draw me in.  The only downside is I know that all the "jail-break" jokes my attendings make are never going to end.

This was the only dress of it's kind in the entire store, which makes me think it may have been a returned item.  Store price is the same as the online price.  It looks like the dress has gotten great reviews online.  The material is 95% rayon and 5% spandex.  The weight of the material is very nice and the added stretch from the spandex adds immensely to the comfort.  Some reviewers state that the dress runs fairly large, but I like the looser fit of the small.  Since it has a tie-belt, you can make the waist as tight as you want.  My only gripe with that is that the material tends to pucker underneath the belt, but this can be fixed somewhat with re-positioning and smoothing of the wrinkles.  

Verdict: Bought with discount for $38.99

Printed Micro-pleat Shell

Price: $22.99 (orig $45)    Size: small      Style #: 421686

I really like the design and unique pleating of this top.  If you stare at it for long enough, it has a trompe l-oeil quality to it...pretty cool.  Unfortunately this was the smallest size left in stock, which did not allow me to compare the fit of this top in an extra small.  There is a price discrepancy between online and in-store pricing, with the online price being $39.99.  The material is 100% polyester, and it is a light and airy shell.  I think it would look fantastic underneath a suit or just as good with a casual blazer.

Verdict: Bought with discount for $14.95. I am still undecided about keeping this top, but after trying it on at home it is definitely not the right size.  I'll likely be returning this top.

Sandra Printed Tie-neck Blouse

Price: $22.99 (orig $69.50)     Size: X-small petite      Style #: 227255

I like the fabric design and the idea of tie-neck blouses, I just don't think they are very flattering on me.  The material is 100% poly, and it seems as if the online reviews are not so great either. 

Verdict: No

Sexy Side-zip Legging

Price: $49.99 (orig $89.50)   Size: 00p      Style #: 861542

I was super excited when I saw this in the sales rack, because it looked like it could be a cheaper alternative to the J.Crew Minnie pant that I love.  After a mini-arm workout pulling them on, I was quite disappointed in the length and cut of these pants.  Firstly, I was not a fan of the fact that the style is a tapered pant which is supposed to bunch and gather at the ankle.  In my opinion, this does not created a "sexy" and sleek silhouette but one reminiscent of 80's style legwarmers.  I much prefer the slim, cropped style of the Minnie.  Secondly, the calf and ankle area are super tight.  I do enjoy running, but I by no means have overly large calves and these pants were so constricting below the knee.  Lastly, the feel of the material is somewhat similar, but the Minnie definitely wins.  The BR pants are much thinner and made of viscose, cotton, and spandex, whereas the J.Crew Minnie is just cotton and spandex.  If you are interested in purchasing these pants, online price is better at $39.99.

Verdict: No

Gemma Wrap Dress

Price: $54.99 (orig $98)   Size: small   Style #423344

Again another lonely return in the sales racks.  This length is way too long on me.  The material is a mixture of rayon and spandex, making it feel cool and comfortable on your skin.  The tie-belt was truly quite long, and I believe I wrapped it around 4-5 times before tying it.  I would be interested to see how the x-small petite version fits.

Verdict: No

I also stopped by J.Crew and Gap, both of which had great sales going on.  

I picked up 2 pairs of the J.Crew Toothpick Ankle Jean in byzantine blue and shallow sea (mint color) for $24 each.  The ankle jeans fit me very well in the length department making them look like a regular pair of skinny jeans on me (no need for hemming!).  

Another great find was the multistripe long-sleeve boatneck tee which I got for $9.50 after discounts.  J.Crew still has the extra 30% off sales merchandise going on.

Gap had an extra 40% off clearance items for in-store purchases.  I was able to score some basic bras (strapless uplift, strapless multi-way, and demi plunge) and a t-shirt to wear with scrubs for work.  The bras came out to $7 or $8 and the t-shirt was less than $5.  I also picked out this wide-stripe sweater in navy for $7.80.  The in-store price is $12.97 for the sweater (before extra 40% off), while it's still $31.99 online.