35% off at Banana Republic – The 12 Hour Sale

BananaRepublic.com: Take 35% off with code BR12HOURS

Code is good on 9/26 from 9:00 AM EST to 9:00 PM PST.  So yes, it’s actually good for 15 hours.  Exclusions apply and include among other things: Leather Apparel, Cashmere, Monogram & Heritage, Select  Shoes, Bags, and Men’s Gavin, Dawson, & Emerson pants and… “Excludes products flagged as new arrivals.”  Damn.

Catch those italics up there ^ ?  Anything that’s got a “new arrival” designation on it means it’s excluded from the code.  But the good news is there’s plenty of new stuff that while in the “new arrivals” section, they aren’t labeled on the item page as a new arrival.  Even tried a recent/previous code with the same restrictions on these things and it was working then.  So here’s hoping.

The as-good-if-not-better news is that 35% off is a real solid number.  40% is about as good as it gets (50% happens, but maybe once or twice a year to a limited customer base) but those can be in-store only.  Speaking of in-store, a recent in-store trip to find many of these items was almost all for nothing.  Lots of these haven’t shown up yet to all brick & mortars.  Then again, it is a little early to thrown on a tweed suit or topcoat.

UPDATE:  Banana Republic moved it down to 30% without notice, which is irritating to say the least.  30% is good, but it’s a discount that comes along relatively often.  Sorry guys, I was going on the info that they gave to me.  And that was 35%.  Prices have been adjusted below.
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Tailored Grey Tweed Suit Jacket & Matching Pant – $347.75 $374.50 ($535)

Hard to believe that this suit isn’t excluded, but it’s not (for now?).  At 35% off you’re basically getting the pants “free” plus some more cash knocked off the price of the $375 jacket.  72% wool, 26% cotton, and the last 2% is spandex for stretch.  That should feel/wear/breath better than the L.L. Bean Signature 80% wool / 20% poly version from last year.  And that suit continues to be a personal favorite.  Back to the BR… It’s an investment but it’s much less than almost all other tweed suits.

 

Charcoal Houndstooth Wool Mix Topcoat – $178.75 $192.50 ($275)

Really wanted to find this one in store but it wasn’t there.  Just got featured in this month’s GQ (pg. 81 + 84) and it’s going to take a team of financially responsible equines to keep a few of us from picking this thing up during the sale.  70% wool, 30% nylon, and that subtle pattern.  If it’s like last year’s topcoat, don’t expect the warmest thing in the world.  But hey, there’s always layering up.

 

Tailored Houndstooth Cotton Blazer – $128.70 $138.60 ($198)

A dark grey/charcoal blazer is about as fool proof as it gets in the fall.  Jeans, dark trousers, it’ll look sharp dressed up or down.  This one is equipped with a micro houndstooth pattern that keeps it looking much more like a sportcoat or blazer, and much less like a suit jacket.  Nice price, especially if the Tailored stuff fits you well enough that you can skate by without tailoring.

 

Vintage straight taupe wool notch-waist trouser – $58.16 $62.65 ($89.50)

Fit is unknown on these.  And that’s kinda key with pants isn’t it.  They say it’s slim through the thigh with a straight leg opening, so if you like your pants tapered, then best to skip.  Description says: “89% wool, 19% nylon, 1% spandex”… BR is giving these pants 109%!  (Glad to know Dappered isn’t the only one who makes these types of typos…)

 

Tailored Camel Wool Blazer – $162.50 $175 ($250)

With a ticket pocket even.  Ahhh molting.  Thanks for that camels.  At 50% wool and 50% camel hair, this is more than just camel in color (which you’ll be seeing plenty of this year) but instead the fabric seems legit as well.  Pick stitching here too.  Not everyone is going to reach for something that stands out this much.  Takes a bit of grass to pull off.

 

Tailored Multi-Plaid Blazer – $162.50 $175 ($250)

One of those “made of Italian Fabric” numbers and you can feel the difference.  Weirdly soft for cotton.  Nice pattern on it that has a lot going on but isn’t overly busy.  Functional buttons.  Sleeves seem average to a little long.

 

Tailored black cord two-button blazer – $128.70 $138.60 ($198)

Walks right up to the velvet line without stepping over it.  Appears to have a smaller wale.  Should be comfortable fabric since it’s 98% cotton with 2% spandex for a bit of stretch.  Well reviewed online.  Fancy looking without being too over the top.

 

Brown Marled Wool V-Neck – $51.68 $55.65 ($79.50)

Looks to be a thicker, bulkier v-neck than what you’d wear under a blazer.  Always good to have one with a little extra beef for those weekend mornings when it’s cold and you’re headed out to grab breakfast with friends.

 

Extra Fine Merino Wool Crew or V-Neck Sweater – $38.68 $41.65 ($59.50)

Maybe the best sweater of fall 2012.  100% merino with surprisingly good fit off the rack (size shown = M) and the V doesn’t dip too low like it does on the silk/cotton/cashmere.  Fabric is slim enough that you could layer it, but it’s not paper thin.  Plenty of colors and with the discount these are under $40.  Buy two (nope, just one.  BR/Gap inc counts pre-code prices for their free shipping threshold) and you’ll obviously get over the $50 min. for free shipping.  Note: Doesn’t look like orange is available online, and the collar seemed to differ a bit on this in-store one, but the tag’s price matched up and it did say 100% merino wool.

 

Gabriel Penny Driving Loafer – $63.70 … maybe. ($98)

The exclusions say “select” shoes won’t be available for the discount.  If these are, then $63.70 with free shipping seems like a fair price for a well shaped driver with a penny strap.  Also available in brown suede.

The BR code BR12HOURS launches at 9am ET, and expires at 9pm PT.  Note: Many of these items are in the “new arrivals” sub section, but it doesn’t say new arrival on the item page (like it does for these gloves).  A previous code that had the same “excludes items flagged as new arrivals” restrictions were working on those items just fine.  

Meanwhile, looking for the bridge coat from over here?  So are others.  More here on threads.  But it looks like BR’s web people were busy overnight.  They’ve added it.  Would have been $162.50 with the 35% off, but it’s  $175 instead.