Banana Republic SS14 Preview
Banana Republic started out as brand supplying travel and safari gear – complete with all of its traditional straps, pockets and camouflage patterns. Fast forward to today, around thirty years later, and the label is virtually unrecognisable. It has become one of the most iconic and reliable affordable luxury retailers, bridging the gap between high-end and high street with panache. The brand’s latest offering, the spring/summer 2014 collection, is a melting pot of styles and influences, but features an updated, even more trim silhouette than usual. The primary inspiration behind the collection is reportedly California – epitomised by its sunny, laid-back coolness – yet there is actually a very Scandinavian vibe to the range, much akin to the Swedish brands we recently featured on FashionBeans. The designs are all kept very minimalistic and coordinated in muted tones of the same colours, evoking a sense of effortless, versatile style. The palette is restrained and primarily comprises timeless neutrals such as black, navy, white, cream and grey, with no obvious colour accents. The result is an incredibly sleek, modern aesthetic. The accompanying outfit preview pictures (below) showcase slim, contemporary pieces that can be easily mixed and matched with one another to create a variety of looks for any occasion. This range would be perfect for building a timeless capsule wardrobe, or would seamlessly slot into the one you have already curated. The camel trench coat is a particular highlight. Retaining traditional detailing, such as epaulettes and wrist fastenings, it’s updated in a muted, ashy colour way that would work nicely with any skin colour. The same piece has also been reworked into a modern safari jacket in the same hue, which retains a smart, streamlined silhouette due to a cropped cut and two front pocket design, rather than the traditional four. Other stand out garments include: a white marl crew neck t-shirt, comfortably layered under a slim grey cardigan; a chunky rib knit sweater, again in white; and a shawl neck cardigan featuring a subtle white to navy gradient. Stay tuned for more details on FashionBeans as the full collection drops early next year…
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Banana Republic SS14 Preview
Image source: WWD
