THE FINAL: Banana Republic vs. Lands’ End Canvas
And here we are. After three weeks, sixteen competitors, and a ton of votes, we’re down to the final two. Banana Republic vs. last year’s champ, Lands’ End Canvas. For a full introduction to Store Wars, see this post. The bracket on the right has been updated to show how this all shook down. Click on it for the full size. Make a case for your preferred competitor in the comments section, but don’t forget to vote at the bottom of the match up. May the best store win.
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Strengths: If you wanted to, and some would, you could build an entire good-looking wardrobe from casual to dressed up to everything in between out of stuff found at Banana Republic. Short of watches, they’ve got it all. They’re the top floor of GAP’s three story brand structure, and in the past year they’ve pulled even further away from mid-level GAP in terms of style. Prices remain relatively low as long as you hang out for sales and play the promo-code/coupon game. Their modern fit blazers and suits come with a welcome contour, higher than normal armholes, and slim shoulder pads. They’ve really stepped up their suiting game lately. The Italian fabrics used in some of their garments are superb. Outerwear is usually outstanding. Sweaters are right up there. Shopping experience in-store is usually clean and professional. Everything online ships free over $50. Returns are free in-store.
Weaknesses: Like all GAP brands, you’ve got to play the code and sale timing game, and then sometimes the exclusions can be numerous. Paying full retail at BR should rarely happen. Most of their goods are made in China. Many have complained about bad quality for their shoes. Mad Men/Monogram markup is steep.
How they got here: Breezed past Amazon in round one, did well against Thrift Stores after that, and pulled out a one (yes one) vote win against J. Crew Factory in the semi finals.
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Strengths: Last year’s champion. Nice, upgraded casual basics for good prices, and those prices can get dirt cheap when on sale/clearance. From blazers to shirts, shoes to pants, you could put together an entire outfit of just them. Handwritten thank you notes to first time customers, which has played a part in developing what appears to be a solidly loyal customer base. Despite some complaints, the ultra-cheap, Alden-Indy inspired Crosby Moc Toe. Their waxed cotton trip bag. Their guarantee. Not only is one of their models an SI Swimsuit model, their swimsuits have appeared in the issue as well.
Weaknesses: They seem to have lost a bit of their way, or perhaps they have some new strategy that reduces the number of items they produce and raises overall prices ($100 for a cardigan? $100 for… cargo pants?) Blazers can fit a little big sometimes, and this season’s blazers look to be running real short in the tail. Overall the brand is more fitted, certainly more so than Lands’ End, but not a true trim fit most of the time. Used to run sales and codes often. Now it’s more like a free-shipping-at-$50 code every once in awhile.
How they got here: Bounced Brooks Brothers to start, pulled off a big upset against J. Crew in the second round, and executed a convincing win against the higher priced Nordstrom in the Semi Finals.
Your votes determine who becomes the 2012 Store Wars Champion. Voting ends at Midnight ET.
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Store Wars FINAL: Banana Republic vs. Lands' End Canvas
- Banana Republic (52%, 1,006 Votes)
- Lands' End Canvas (49%, 961 Votes)
Total Voters: 1,953
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Oh, what’s the use. LEC’s hundreds of twitter followers will take this title. BR has no chance. How about we retire LEC for next year’s store wars ver 3? Put it onto the hall of fame or whatever, just take it out. If one store keeps on winning, it’s no fun; especially it is not that great of store to keep winning to begin with, except for the insanely lax return policy.
Hearing Final Countdown, I immediately flashed back to Gob on Arrested Development.
Three good things from 1963 – LAC, my wife (shhhhh!) and me!
Plus they keep sending me good clothes, and all I have to send them are moderate amounts of money.
I immediately thought of that song when I saw the word “Finals” on the main page /highfive
Illusions dad! Tricks are what whores do for money
I expect a different picture beginning at 8 am CDT.
Gotta be BR. Love their sweaters.
Had to go with BR on this one as their tailored fit suits/blazers are aces. Whereas LEC is just, well, it is cheap, I will give them that. Looking back, of the few things of theirs I’ve kept, I actually don’t even wear those very often.
BR. I will repeat purchases on their great sweaters. I have no sure bets at Land’s End Canvas.
Did you care to share who you voted for and why?
Or candy.
Or candy.
BR has Tall sizing. LEC doesn’t. I can wear one brand on my torso and not the other. Guess who gets my vote?
BR is horrible. No style, cheap quality, bad fit. You BR supporters should get out more.
Hmm. I think that’s the main difference. I would never rely on LEC for anything. I like how creative they are, but the execution is sometimes lacking. Banana Republic has the quality, fabric, and fit nailed down. Prices are great if you can get it on sale or with a coupon.
Something tells me that the PR aspect will always be a complaint with Store Wars (along with the Apples vs. Oranges debate!) Last year, it was Indochino, this year it is LEC. I imagine we will complain about something, next year.
I assume this is one of the reasons why Joe doesn’t let some dark horse candidate like Hollister into the competition. The comments would be filled with a bunch of grubby teens talking about dubstep. The horror!
Like, like, like! Please listen to Ted. BR is really just gap clothes with an insignificant amount of cashmere or silk and turned brown, beige or purple.
I’m a value shopper. I bought a tee, white denim pants, belt, and navy suede chukkas for $117 from LEC. I’d get a sportcoat on a 40% off sale from BR for the same money.
Once I crest 7 figures in income, BR will absolutely have my vote. But in the meantime, I’m loving LEC.
well if LEC wins again as expected, we can start calling this Store Wars, sponsored by Lands’ End Canvas (unofficially, wink wink nudge nudge).
Or cocaine
LEC all the way!
If I were making 7 figures, I’d probably be shopping somewhere nicer than BR…
Just like every four years for president, it’s a lose-lose in this election.
So it’s down to the brand that does cheap J. Crew knockoffs that don’t fit or the one that specializes in attire for paunchy middle-aged suburbanites? Yay?
Let’s go BR! (I like LEC as well, but in the past year, have added more pieces from BR to my wardrobe than LEC.)
If BR wins, I will have a perfect bracket.
LE keeps me in wrinkle-free pinpoints, v-necks and wool tailored fit slacks for work. LEC has me covered in casual shirts, pullovers and cords for weekends. What’s with all the hate, people?
My simple hate is that they don’t do tall. Can’t shop at them.
Even Putin didn’t let himself win 2 in a row and took a break in between to avoid looking bad. Obviously LEC and its bluebird soldiers don’t think so. I guess the moral of the story here is that no matter what, twitter wins in the end. boo.
There’s a weird amount of hate for the probable winner. Twitter fans or not, it means LEC has more fans and/or mobilizes them better. I don’t think that really conflicts with the idea of store wars. I’ve voted for LEC each time except this one. They do have a lot of support within the non-twitter Dappered community as well.
For the record, Vladimir did win two in a row. He was elected in 2000 and 2004. He did not run in 2008 because the constitution said he couldn’t.
I would think people making seven figures (I don’t, not even close) would be wearing Oxxford or Brioni or at least Canali. BR is hardly “high-end” except in relation to the Gap and Old Navy.
I sort of agree and at the same time I think LEC is crappier.. what to do.
Oh no. Oh NO! We’re losing him… someone call the WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMBULANCE!
Let’s keep the mud slinging to a minimum.
Used to have a lot of BR in my closet a decade ago. Over the years, my style has evolved to be more relaxed, and more “American” for lack of a better word. At the same time, I wanted to be a slightly more put together on the weekends, and BR felt too much for that purpose. This is why I’ve gone to brands like LEC and Crew. I do have a couple “misses” from LEC, but their hits are staples. That being said, Crew’s shirts fit me a little better than LEC, but alas, they’re out.
I second that movement
Hey Joe – Steal The Style: Putin Throughout the Years
UMAD?
When it comes to clothes that fit a person who likes to work out and keep in shape, you can’t beat Banana Republic. Their slim fit shirts perfectly bridge the gap between the standard Medium ( Great for a thin guy with no waist but also no shoulders/chest) and the Large ( fits shoulders but way too baggy in waist ) that places like Lands End Canvas offer. I have tried various shirts from them which all look great but every time I find myself wishing they had a size between medium and large, hence that is why Banana Republic wins in a blowout for me because their Medium Slim fit is the perfect fit for me.
How to pull off shirtless w/ camo. Nice.
Banana Republic de-values their clothes simply by running 20%, 30%, 35%, and sometimes 40% coupons *all the time*. Walk into a BR factory store and everything is literally 40% off. It causes their markup to stick out so much.
At least LEC has some superb clearance sales: $12 for an OCBD? I’ll take it. Plus, as long as they have Sears’ backing them (which may end), I’ve put most of my clothing wardrobe rebuilding money in this place.
Voting for Banana Republic, mostly because LEC doesn’t deserve to win. I mean, I like LEC… but they are so meh right now. Their prices are starting sky-high, and they really don’t have anything interesting going on. Plus a lot of their stuff is pretty “WTF” like their French terry blazer(?!).
Banana Republic is too over-priced and not high-enough quality for my tastes, but at least you can fill out most of your wardrobe from them. They’ve got tons of styles, a variety of fits, and they actually have sizes to fit most folks. You can get some decent layering sweaters (as others have mentioned), a well-fitted wool suit, and some nice outerwear from them. They are a little mediocre but they certainly deserve to win more than LEC.
One step at a time. You’ve gotta reward yourself when you hit 8 figures. There are courses at dinner with dessert at the end for a reason!
Please rename to Store Friendly Voting Competition.
Now I’m on a horse! http://www.google.com/imgres?q=putin+on+horse&hl=en&sa=X&biw=1024&bih=565&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=23aKVFIwzI7OnM:&imgrefurl=http://www.alef.net/ALEFPeople/ALEFPeople.Asp%3FPeople%3DPoliticians&docid=ZNkgSIAeoxNmnM&imgurl=http://www.alef.net/ALEFPeople/Politicians/PutinOnHorse.Gif&w=317&h=439&ei=_ux5T7n3IaSriQLssMynDg&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=426&sig=103829196533824246604&page=1&tbnh=113&tbnw=83&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0&tx=40&ty=43
LEC on sale hits a ridiculously low price point even factoring in the necessary tailoring – I love them for casual summer fare. BR is higher quality and priced appropriately but a little conservative for me and the fit for me is just a little off.
I’m voting for LEC because even though BR is clearly better they are close enough to J.Crew, Club Monaco, LastCall, and (gasp!) Bloomingdales pricing that I’d gladly spend the extra $$ on cooler stuff.
Ugh. LEC is winning again. Their stuff is mostly low quality and sizing is so unpredictable. And the kicker is that it’s 3x as expensive this year. BR has its issues, sure, but BR clothes are light years ahead of LEC in quality.
There’s no way that LEC has earned brand loyalty by offering great fitting clothes at much lower prices than BR, J Crew, and others. Just couldn’t be.
Except that Store Wars isn’t about which store can mobilize its fans better. It should (theoretically) be about regular Dappered readers choosing their favorite store. Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be any easy way to control for something like that.
Yeah, but walk into a BR outlet store and everything that’s “literally 40 percent off” is also 40 percent — or more — lower in quality. Unlike Last Call or Off 5th, the BR outlet merchandise is specifically made to be sold at cheaper outlet prices. (Yet at the same time, J.Crew’s Factory clothes aren’t noticeably inferior to the mainline stuff in terms of fit and materials. Go figure …)
I absolutely voted for BR based on many of the LEC issues already expressed above (rising prices, questionable fits, etc.). At least with BR, I know what I’m getting, and I always wait for a sale.
Theoretically. But the only direction given is to pick the store you prefer. A lot of people did that for LEC. I’m not thrilled at a 2nd win, but I’m just not sure it’s irrelevant either.
I use and like both stores, but for me, it’d be BR. I only use LEC for casual stuff, but as Joe correctly points out, you can cover the whole spectrum with BR (and their tailored fit suits fit me off the rack). With the low-to-begin-with prices combined with codes, you can get darn reasonable prices. So, for versatility, it’s BR.
Wait, I wear clothes from both, so am I wearing J. Crew knockoffs and a paunchy middle-aged suburbanite as well? Damn. This is gonna be hard to take… I’ll need to rethink my life.
That’s true but they only have it for blazers bigger than my size, 38, and although they fit me well in the shoulders and sides, they do hit me a little short. Are you listening BR? 38L blazers! I’ll pay you…
haha seriously. he must be including the change on the right side of the decimal point as two figures.
Once I crest 7 figures in income, BR will absolutely have my vote. But in the meantime, I’m loving LEC.
http://goo.gl/Lc0j4
If twitter wins anything, everyone loses.
I’m tall and can never find clothes that are long enough but still slim enough in the torso. I’ve found a handful of perfect shirts from LEC, although I usually have to order a size smaller than usual. The problem is that half of their shirts seem to fit like a box and the rest fit like a glove. So I regularly over-order and then return half of the items to my local Sears.
Huh. I didn’t get a chance to vote, but I’d have thrown in for LEC. J. Crew really should have won overall, though.