In Review: Banana Republic’s Double Breasted Trench

Banana Republic Double Breasted Trench – $250

As is always the case with Banana Republic, it won’t take long for a discount code to roll around. And unlike blazers & suit jackets, outerwear is usually (unless it’s carrying a “BR Pick” label) up for those cuts. Should go for $150 – $175 depending on the code.

Banana Republic seems to make one of these every year. It’s a trench, but it’s not your Grandpa’s (or Humphrey Bogart’s, all due respect to Mr. Rick) mid-shin length, London Fog number. It’s noticeably more modern.

Cut to hit a few inches above the knee with sleeker, less droopy gun-flaps, and a stiffer collar, BR’s annual effort into the trench-coat game doesn’t vary too much in terms of the overall style. But the quality of this year’s coat might be the best yet.

Size shown: Medium on 5’10” / 185lbs

The all cotton exterior is a dense twill that even though it doesn’t have any waterproofing to it, feels like it’ll be water-resistant enough to keep you dry this side of a monsoon. The stitching on this thing is pretty incredible, especially under the grey felt-backed collar. “Sturdy” is certainly a word that comes to mind, and the collar has no trouble staying up on its own. The very top of the collar closes by way of a riveted, gun-metal throat latch, and all of the buttons are thick and feel well attached.

Didn’t spare any effort on the stitching, did they.

And speaking of buttons, the removable lining attaches to the jacket by way of buttons… not a cheap zipper. Past BR trenches have relied on flimsy zippers, if they came with a removable lining, and the potential for jamming or breaking was high. But that won’t be the case this time.

The “whiskey” shade they used this year is much richer than a standard khaki you’ll find on other trenches, with the base being more bronze than yellow, and the light flannel-like grey felt under collar is a slick bit of contrast. (The fabric can look a little washed out in some light, on camera, but in person it’s a bit darker and richer.) It has all the standard doodads you’d expect on a trench: a double breasted front, epaulets, buckles at the cuffs, and a belt that you can tie however the heck you’d like (bathrobe style, actually use the buckle, or tie it in the back).

 Nice hardware, nice fabric, and a button-out liner

A note about the fit: This coat actually fits a little on the big side. And for outerwear, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Especially if you wear a lot of suit jackets and blazers. You want armholes that are big enough to easily slip over a jacket’s shoulders, and a body that’s not so tight that it wrinkles your jacket’s chest. Now, this trench could dart in a little more at the sides, but a cinch with the belt helps out through the middle.

Is it just a trench? Yes, it’s just a trench. They’re not reinventing the wheel here. But if you prefer something with a slightly shorter length that’s still plenty capable of keeping your blazer’s tail dry, then Banana Republic’s latest trench should be on your list for consideration.

Here’s looking at you, kid.