Help, Jaiku Guys (and Gals?)... What's a good alternative to Banana Republic for guys' dressy casual clothing? (cont)
1 year, 2 months ago.
21 comments so far
The hubby bought some BR clothes, but they shrunk in our washer (even though it was on low temp and cold water settings :P)! He needs some replacements, but we don't want to waste anymore money at Banana. What are other similar stores, with hopefully better fabrics for "dressy casual" clothes?
We're going to a summer afternoon wedding, so he doesn't have to wear a suit, just a nice shirt, tie, and dress pants.
Perhaps... Although in the past we've found their quality to be lesser than Banana Republic. I was going to suggest he look in there anyway, just in case.
Hmmm, I've never heard of Zara. I don't think we have that store here, unfortunately.
We might hit J Crew (although the hubby doesn't really like that store), and maybe even Abercrombie & Fitch (even though I kind of hate that store), just in case they miraculously have something he can wear. I don't think Eddie Bauer has dressy enough stuff (nor is their cut slim enough). Express might work...
@w0nk0: Ahhhh... Well, we've only got tonight (and perhaps an hour or two tomorrow) to look around, so I was kind of hoping for brands I could find in a mall in the burbs... sheepish grin Perhaps specific brands in Nordstrom, or Macy's? And standalone stores in a mall...
@BigE: Will check it out, but the budget is limited, especially since we wasted so much on the BR clothing. :P
@Chibbi: Yeah, we'll probably hit up Macy's. Gap is a no go because their clothing quality is worse than Banana's (and anyway, the hubby doesn't like their stuff, so it's hard to get him to look around there on the off chance they have something good).
As for Zara, I guess there's a store around here in the city, but we don't have the time to stop over there. It's either the outlet mall or one of the regular malls around here.
We're going to try exchanging the shirts, because my brother mentioned his fiancee has had success in getting an exchange if her clothes had prematurely faded or shrunk, but it really depends on the store manager. It doesn't hurt to try, though. If we get the clothes exchanged, we'll just hang them up to dry after they're washed.
Ah, should have used google-fu before posting. Looks like they merged with Express to become ExpressMen eight years ago, and 5 years ago the brand name was sold to Sears. NEVER MIND!
21 comments so far
The hubby bought some BR clothes, but they shrunk in our washer (even though it was on low temp and cold water settings :P)! He needs some replacements, but we don't want to waste anymore money at Banana. What are other similar stores, with hopefully better fabrics for "dressy casual" clothes?
We're going to a summer afternoon wedding, so he doesn't have to wear a suit, just a nice shirt, tie, and dress pants.
1 year, 2 months ago by jezlyn
Armani Exchange?
1 year, 2 months ago by cybette
Perhaps... Although in the past we've found their quality to be lesser than Banana Republic. I was going to suggest he look in there anyway, just in case.
1 year, 2 months ago by jezlyn
Do you have Zara (.com) stores in the U.S.? That would be my first stop for stylish casual clothing.
1 year, 2 months ago by w0nk0
Hmmm, I've never heard of Zara. I don't think we have that store here, unfortunately.
We might hit J Crew (although the hubby doesn't really like that store), and maybe even Abercrombie & Fitch (even though I kind of hate that store), just in case they miraculously have something he can wear. I don't think Eddie Bauer has dressy enough stuff (nor is their cut slim enough). Express might work...
1 year, 2 months ago by jezlyn
Maybe http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=zara&jsv=124&sll=41.767215,-88.203735&sspn=1.530239,2.04071&ie=UTF8&latlng=42011669,-87808192,10902511937003950518&ei=sqmpSJP9EYjK2ALQgomGDQ&cd=1 <http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=zara&jsv=124&sll=41.767215,-88.203735&sspn=1.530239,2.04071&ie=UTF8&latlng=42011669,-87808192,10902511937003950518&ei=sqmpSJP9EYjK2ALQgomGDQ&cd=1>
1 year, 2 months ago by w0nk0
Anything by Kenneth Cole should do the trick.
1 year, 2 months ago by BigEclipse
Express Men was going to be my next suggestion. At least their women's stuff are of good quality
1 year, 2 months ago by cybette
@w0nk0: Ahhhh... Well, we've only got tonight (and perhaps an hour or two tomorrow) to look around, so I was kind of hoping for brands I could find in a mall in the burbs... sheepish grin Perhaps specific brands in Nordstrom, or Macy's? And standalone stores in a mall...
@BigE: Will check it out, but the budget is limited, especially since we wasted so much on the BR clothing. :P
1 year, 2 months ago by jezlyn
@w0nk0 there's a couple of Zara's in NY. Definately one on 5th. Don't know about the rest of the US
1 year, 2 months ago by ACUK
@jezlyn: Not sure how close you are to either of these, but: http://tinyurl.com/5tu2h3 One's an outlet so you may be able to get a great deal.
1 year, 2 months ago by BigEclipse
Yeah, we're near the outlet mall in Aurora, actually. Perhaps if we can't find anything at Woodfield Mall, we'll stop over there. Thanks!
Why has @zacharye or @atmasphere not replied to this thread yet? :)
1 year, 2 months ago by jezlyn
Jezlyn you are in colorado?
1 year, 2 months ago by CaffeineJunky
Burlington Coat Factory for the cheap and easy; S&K or Men's Warehouse for something a bit longer lasting.
1 year, 2 months ago by arjw
@CJ: Nope, we're in the Chicagoland area.
@arjw: Interesting, forgot about Men's Wearhouse. Thanks!
1 year, 2 months ago by jezlyn
@jezlyn you can always check out Gap and Macy's. i second the Zara idea!! but none there? :(
1 year, 2 months ago by chibbigirl
@Chibbi: Yeah, we'll probably hit up Macy's. Gap is a no go because their clothing quality is worse than Banana's (and anyway, the hubby doesn't like their stuff, so it's hard to get him to look around there on the off chance they have something good).
As for Zara, I guess there's a store around here in the city, but we don't have the time to stop over there. It's either the outlet mall or one of the regular malls around here.
We're going to try exchanging the shirts, because my brother mentioned his fiancee has had success in getting an exchange if her clothes had prematurely faded or shrunk, but it really depends on the store manager. It doesn't hurt to try, though. If we get the clothes exchanged, we'll just hang them up to dry after they're washed.
1 year, 2 months ago by jezlyn
@jezlyn: Back when I was doing more Mall shopping, I bought a lot of stuff at Structure. Are those still around? They have (had?) great ties!
1 year, 2 months ago by Bishop
Ah, should have used google-fu before posting. Looks like they merged with Express to become ExpressMen eight years ago, and 5 years ago the brand name was sold to Sears. NEVER MIND!
1 year, 2 months ago by Bishop
Oy, what's wrong with Marshalls?
1 year, 2 months ago by edythemighty
At the local Macy's waiting for the hubby to try on clothes. I think we're having a successful shopping run, thank goodness.
@Bishop: Yeah, the hubby liked Structure back in the day. He still has this old longsleeve shirt from there that I used to call his "GQ shirt". :)
1 year, 2 months ago by jezlyn