Most of you know the drill, but if you don’t, here’s the drill:
Banana Republic’s step-down/more affordable line BR Factory is like other “factory”/outlet mall born brands. Translation: They’re almost always having a big! Huge! GIGANTIC! sale. The key is to be able to distinguish what the best sales truly are:
These flash 48 hour events are almost always the best of the best. And this one proves that theory, as a lot of stuff is priced even lower than their Labor Day sale (even if it’s just by a few bucks.)
BR Factory is a favorite around these parts for balancing style and price. Quality won’t be as good as mainline Banana Republic, but the prices are so much lower that it’s hard to ignore them. That, and they tend to make good stuff. (Just avoid their all synthetic suits and blazers.)
Off we go with the picks. Lots of just in, new fall arrivals as well.
No wool in these, but that’s good if you’re allergic and/or want something less expensive. 56% cotton, 33% recycled polyester, 6% polyester. Three colors.
Corduroy + quilted jacket = All the fall. All of it. Available in navy or “double chocolate” brown.
It’s hard to beat a good henley. They’re equal parts casual and masculine. 97% cotton, 3% elastane spandex.
These may require an in-person look because there’s a lot of questions coming to mind. “Melton” is usually reserved for wool, but that’s clearly not the case here. They also look super unstructured… perhaps “swazer” like? Could be a casual to smart casual affordable winner for fall and winter.
“Lightweight” can sometimes be retail speak for “cheap feeling.” But in this case, if you love the idea of flannel shirts but don’t like the heavy stuffiness which accompanies more traditionally weighted flannels, then these are worth a real shot. Under thirty bucks and slim fit doesn’t hurt either.
Size shown: 32×32 athletic fit on 5’10″/180.
Boots. Sweaters. Jeans. ‘Tis the season. These Traveler Jeans from BR Factory are surprisingly great for the asking price. They’re super comfortable with lots of stretch. A blend of cotton, poly, tencel, and lycra. A real favorite. Personal go-to, as the mainline “luxe” version ($130!) is just too rich for this particular style blogger’s blood.
True outerwear. Nylon shell. Not some knit sweater-jacket hybrid. Pocket on the right sleeve which is a signature of the bomber style.
Probably the best sub $50 sweaters on the market. 100% merino. A note on cleaning: They may say you can machine wash them, but… as they’re 100% merino and wool is naturally anti-microbial, just take them to the dry cleaner on the occasion you spill something or you sweat them up real good. “Machine washable” merino sweaters sometimes don’t quite live up to the billing (as washers can really vary depending on how gentle their gentle cycles are).
And the V-necks. Just four colors so far. C’mon BRF, give us gray and black too! Repeating for emphasis: They may say you can machine wash them, but… as they’re 100% merino and wool is naturally anti-microbial, just take them to the dry cleaner on the occasion you spill something or you sweat them up real good. “Machine washable” merino sweaters sometimes don’t quite live up to the billing (as washers can really vary depending on how gentle their gentle cycles are).
This is not a rain coat. It’s a cold weather, 52% polyester, 40% wool, 8% “other” fibers coat that sits somewhere between a topcoat and a peacoat. Which is an all too hard to find option.
Something to wear under sweaters, unstructured sportcoats, or on its own with jeans or chinos. Sometimes you just need a shirt. These fit that bill, for a relatively low bill.
One of those items from BRF that’s good enough you’d be likely to ask “why would I pay for the mainline version?” 96% cotton/4% elastane, and it actually feels like there’s more stretch in there. They move that well, as shown above. Machine wash cold/tumble dry low.
Outerwear season is back, and here’s BRF’s take on a classic quilted field jacket. Black or green, but the black makes it a little more modern looking, while still firmly rooted in rural/field style.
“Vegan suede” can go wrong in a hurry. But BRF has a good track record when it comes to their vegan suede jackets. So you end up with a jacket made from a rich looking fabric, instead of something that appears to have been lifted off a cheap hotel lobby couch.
Super smooth mercerized cotton. BRF’s take on dressy t-shirts. Not broken in, super slubbed, and/or made to look like an old favorite. Smooth, clean, and neat. Just know that some mercerized cotton garments can shrink in the wash. Sometimes.
Fits range from skinny to relaxed (with slim, slim-straight, and athletic in-between.) BR Factory’s stretch cotton chinos. 97% cotton, 3% spandex. All the colors you’d expect. Even has the “butt patch” just like mainline BR chinos.
Mac jackets may be more simple, but a classic trench sure can be… eye catching. 66% cotton, 34% polyester keeps the shine down you’d find emanating from cheap all poly outerwear. Also available in Inspector Gadget khaki.
Price depends on the color you’re after. BRF’s take on the timeless OCBD. A bit more heft than their softwash poplin shirts, but still shouldn’t be heavy or stiff.
Shown above: Size 32×32 athletic fit on 5’10″/180.
Soft, stretch-infused, versatile five-pocket-style pants. When you want to wear jeans but don’t want to wear jeans and don’t want to wear chinos/khakis either. They do seem to shrink up a little in the wash. So know that.
Corporate looking quarter zips might have gone viral last year, but staying employed is always in style. Especially now.
For when you just want a (cheap) dress shirt. No neck and sleeve sizing though. Alpha sizes from XS – XXL only. Do be aware that there’s a little internal contrast piping around one seam at the collar. Some guys like a little extra detail like that, some hate it, some won’t care.
The Up to 50% off + additional 40% off BR Factory 48-hour sale is set to run through Monday 9/14. Basic outbound shipping is $7.50 unless you’re one of their rewards members, and then free shipping kicks in at different spend levels. Returns are free, although those outbound shipping charges are non refundable.
End of summer clearances + new arrival sale reluctance = stuck between seasons.
Huckberry has refreshed their sale section.
But will any of it go on significant sale anytime soon? Attempted analysis of sale…
"Who are you wearing??" ... "The Sale section. All of them."
Weekend updates: BR bumps it from 20% to an addit. 30% off. Spier joins in.…