Dappered

Affordable Men's Style

Banana Republic, Gap, Old Navy 48 Hours / 30% off Sale

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Take 30% off GAP inc. brands with code 48HOURS

Free shipping kicks in at $50 and you can buy from different brands to get there.  Code expires 10/4

Been enough sales lately?  For a few weeks there at the end of the summer there was something of a discounting drought.  Now it’s starting to feel like a county fair midway with almost every brand playing the role of a “step right up” carny.  Now’s not a bad time to refresh on the rules for when not to buy it.

But (and there’ always a but) 30% off at all three GAP brands is the point at which a good sale for these guys goes to a very good sale.  Again, this isn’t just one brand but all three.  $50 gets you free shipping and returns are free in store.  Here’s two picks from each label:
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Banana Republic Tailored Cotton Pin-Dot Blazer – $138.60 ($198)
A bargain when 30% off.

From Banana Republic’s “Tailored” fit line.  Be prepared to actually size up if you’re between sizes.  Normally I’d wear a 38R in their looser Modern fit.  40R is shown above.  The fabric is something.  Comes in short and tall sizes for you lanky or not so vertically blessed fellows.  First featured in the Affordable Blazers rundown.

 

Banana Republic Tweed V-Neck – $62.65 ($89.50)
Another upgrade from a hoodie.

This isn’t some wispy cotton number.  Nylon, Lambswool, and Acrylic is a bit of an odd combination, but in the end you get a fabric with texture that’s still far from sandpaper.  Thicker V-neck collar.  Probably no best for layering under a blazer.  Perfect for those real crisp fall weekend days around the house and around town.  Ships free on its own.

 

GAP Non-Iron Slim Gingham Shirt – $41.97 ($59.95)
Contrast and colorful.

Has a color scheme that’s like a louder version or the Blank Label Steve Albany.  Would look best layered under something than out there on it’s own (and more on layering tomorrow.)  Not as slim as a Blank Label custom fit, but noticeably trimmer than a standard GAP button up.  Nice fabric feel, good weight to the cotton, and a non-iron finish.

 

GAP Italian Moleskin Blazer – $82.60 ($118)
Size shown is a 40R

So you want a dark fall and winter appropriate blazer but don’t want to drop $138 on the Banana Republic pin-dot.  For almost $60 less, this option won’t feel or look like a blazer that’s a full$60 less.  GAP has taken a page from big brother BR’s playbook and has started sourcing Italian fabrics for some of their more expensive pieces.  Unlike the previously reviewed GAP houndstooth blazer, this one isn’t cropped too short.  A great standard length and fitted through the sides and arms.  It’s trim enough that if you’re between sizes you’re best to size up.  Moleskin is a thicker cotton that’s like a real dense short-nap velvet without the sheen.  Thicker than chino and plenty warm.

 

Old Navy Slim Fit Canvas Pant – $24.46 ($34.94)
Actually slim through the legs.

A cheap version of Banana Republic’s riveted 5-pocket canvas pant from last season.  The waist is a little bigger than you’d think, so size down there.  But they’re a truely slim through the calf.  Mid to lighter weight fabric and they move pretty well.  A good alternative to jeans.

 

Old Navy Rugby Stripe V-Necks – $24.46 ($34.94)
Eleven color options to pick from

Has anyone else noticed that Old Navy’s fits seem so to be trimming down?  Usually I have to size down to a small in their sweaters, but that’s a medium shown in the pic.  And no, I haven’t put any extra weight on either.  All cotton with some spandex added at the hem so it doesn’t completely stretch out.  A cheap cotton sweater, but the ridiculous amount of bold stripe color combos make it worth a look.  Two of these plus some socks ships free.

 

The Splurge Bonus Pick: B.R. Tailored Slim Windowpane Suit – $367.50 ($525)
Nice work BR design team.

A full blown statement suit.  A charcoal windowpane pattern like this doesn’t come along in the reasonably affordable $200 – $400 price range all that often.  Not that the pattern and slim fit won’t stand out enough, but the ticket pocket really puts this on a whole other level.  Oranges and orangutans when compared to the solid black three button sack suits most businessmen wear.  Sold as separates.  Price above reflects the purchase of the pants and jacket.

The 30% off Banana Republic/Gap/Old Navy code 48HOURS expires at 11:59pm ET on Tuesday 10/4/11

Comments

  2. Im gunna second the old navy pants real quick, i have them and i love them, cause they stay tapered past the thy as well. Think of gaps slim khaki’s but how they almost bell-bottom, but the old navy ones mentioned above stay tapered. I recommend them

  5. Wish these retailers would spread out the sales 🙁

    Oh, well… I’d rather get the Bonobos stuff, but it would have been nice to have this next month

  6. I’ve been thinking about that moleskin blazer since I saw it a week or so ago. I was (and remain) a little hesitant because moleskin strikes me as being not very different from velvet. Could I convince you to post some larger versions of those in-person photos you took, Joe?

  7. The Gap slim fits are the real deal…got mine for $25 and it’s very nice for me (and my body type).

  8. Might have to jump on that blazer… tough to find 40L in most places.  Have to hand it to BR, they have enough volume to hit decently far on the size spectrum.

  9. Can you comment at all on how much shoulder padding there is in the BR blazer?  Tend to find that’s a problem w/ most OTR blazers… far over structured, particularly if you have relatively square / built shoulders to begin with.

  11. I’m wondering why the 5-pocket straight fit chinos from Banana Republic aren’t listed here. Are this year’s pants not as good as the one’s Joe posted about before?

  12. If I recall, it wasn’t unstructured but it wasn’t some squared off football pad like thing either.  Some structure, but if you get the right fit and the pads aren’t hanging over your delts most will be more than fine. 

  14. The ones this year are a different material. I think the general consensus is that folks don’t like the new version, which are kind of a soft chino, as much as last year’s, which were more of a canvas. But I haven’t owned or worn either so I couldn’t tell you for sure.

  16. I own a BR blazer and a BR suit and I think they strike the right balance of structure in the shoulder – just enough padding to look clean and professional, but not at all football player-ish. By contrast, I’ve always found that Express suits are too structured/padded through the shoulder.

  17. I’ve wondered this myself. I think I’m going with brown if I get one. Black blazers are fairly ubiquitous, brown are much harder to come by. Though I do wonder if a black or a brown shoe would be better for a brown jacket.

  18. Thanks. Nothing wrong with a velvet blazer in the right situation, but they’re just not very versatile. I got a black velvet blazer from Target on clearance for $20 a few years back and I’ve only even worn it at holiday parties. (Yeah, cuz that’s the kind of cool I am.) Not exactly a wardrobe staple. But these moleskin ones look like they might get a little more life out of ’em.

  19. Whoa. Just looked at the windowpane suit and noticed they have a new houndstooth option as well. Hot damn, BR is gettin’ fancy with their suits. I might have to forego the moleskin blazer and splurge for one of these instead… both awesome styles for <$400.

  20. Agreed on all points, although I don’t own a velvet blazer because, eh… just not my thing.  The moleskin though, just like you said.  Can be worn a lot.  I have one from Old Navy from a few years back that’s been tailored up.  I use it plenty from October – March.

  21. Based on the pic Joe I’m going to guess that the sleeve length on those slim fit shirts would not be awesome for someone that is 6′?

  22. Depends on if you order a large or a medium.  They might be a little short if you’re a medium.  All depends on your shoulder size too.

  27. I have a moleskin peacoat from BR. No one confuses it for velvet. Believe me if it did I would hear it from my buddies. Moleskin is different from velvet in that the cotton has a rougher finish.

  28. Does anyone know if the “tailored slim fit” is different from the “tailored fit” at BR?  Thanks for any input.

  29. Cool. Picked up the BR shawl cardigan – http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?searchCID=25789&vid=2&pid=876522&scid=876522002 – that I tried on the other day at the store. It’s sick!

  30. Afaik, they only have the two fits. Tailored, and whatever the boxier one is; classic? Modern?

  31. For any interested…I went in to BR the other day to just look around. They have a very nice looking tweed sportcoat, in a lighter grey. Sticker is 250. I told salesman I liked it quite a bit, but not $250 much. He came back with a 40%-off-on-Wednesday card…so, that’s $100 off, for a 150 total.

    Not too shabby; and this thing looks great, and will need no tailoring for me.

    On a personal news front: I used to not be able to fit in any of BR’s jackets, tailored or otherwise. Now, I’m in a 42 “tailored.” I almost bought it at full price just to be able to say it fit. Not really, but you get the point.

  32. Aw shiz. Just noticed that the houndstooth is a one-button. That’s a bit… unconventional for my taste. Too bad. Pulling the trigger on the brown moleskin instead.

  35. Not sure if the 30% off will stack with it, but the Old Navy Slim Fit Canvas Pants are on sale for 30 dollars so they might be 20 dollars with the promo. As someone who owns a pair of both colors, they are definitely worth it. Great feel and super versatile.

  36. I went with brown.  figured it would pair well with grey chinos or jeans.  got it Monday, wore it with the grey chinos tuesday and it looked great.  it’s excellent jacket.

  37. I went with the brown as well.  Love it and the fit is great on the 42L (I’m 6’2″, 185 pounds),.  I need to have the arms shortened just a smidge for proper shirt cuff exposure. 

    One question though – anybody know how to get the creases from shipping out of the jacket?