Tag: oh so fancy

Banana Republic Is Back: The Lavender Edition

Surprising news is in this post. First, the Banana Republic we knew and loved  is back! The brand is returning to its success years when cashmere was first introduced. A friend of mine worked at BR corporate in the 90s and recently popped into a store to see what changed—a whole new look and feel.

At her suggestion, I wandered into the store and found several very cute things to try on and walked out of the store with several things. I befriended a sales associate for advice on how to shop BR as it had been years since I shopped at one. I learned the Wednesday-Sunday 40% off sales are no longer. BR is going upscale in quality and design. She also told me the cashmere will almost never go on sale and is selling out fast!

The second surprise: Lavender is trending for fall! Seriously. It’s been all over the fashion runways in everything from tops, bottoms, bags and sneakers. BR is hopping on the lavender train and so am I.

Styled below are a couple of lavender items I loved. If lavender is not in your color palette, the sweater is offered in black. and the top in black, tan, and white.

Banana Republic Lavender Merino-Cashmere Cardigan Sweater can carry you into spring; to me, it’s worth the investment.

ohsofancyfrancie banana republic lavender cardi
Cozy color pairs well with distressed denim and white tee.
ohsofancyfrancie banana republic lavender cardi
Cool with black. Paired with black denim boot cut kick flare and black sock booties.

Banana Republic Lavender Poplin Bishop-Sleeve Top paired with Sam Edelman Teddy Coat from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, cropped straight denim by Agolde and taupe booties by Silent D

ohsofancyfrancie lavender top
Oh so cool.
ohsofancyfrancie sam edelman and BR top
Perfect match!

Blazin’ Blazers the Double-Breasted Way

The quickest way to elevate any look is to throw on a blazer.  No matter the base layer: tank, tee or blousy top. Treat it like an extra layer instead of a sweater or jean jacket. You can wear one just about anywhere and look stylish.

Double-breasted blazers, to me, are more interesting, especially given a military style:  The buttons make the jacket.

I scored on two styles for fall, both on sale. The black is more versatile as the buttons are simple, lending the top to be the pop.

Which do you like best?

Rocker Tee Look

Black blazer by 1state from Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale. Ruched sleeves and double breasted features step up the look without overdoing. Paired here with a rocker tee–a huge trend and mostly all from the 70s and 80s.

Jeans are Frame Pixie Flare and boots by Vionic, also purchased at the Nordstrom sale.

ohsofancyfrancie Blondie Blazer
Feeling nostalgic.

Dressy Top

The second look in the black 1State blazer is paired with a floral top that will work for a dinner out or drinks with friends when paired with jeans. Dress pants will work, but since the jacket is a separate, the blacks will be hard to match. Pair with heather gray, khaki or olive.

Top is by GenerationLove.

ohsofancyfrancie floral blazer
Feminine but cool.

Classic Blue Blazer

The last look is a very cute and very cool blazer from Express. I haven’t shopped there since my twenties! A friend ordered two sizes and passed one on to me for a steal! All sizes still available for just $99!

Keep it simple with a plain white tee, this one a sleeveless crew by MichaelStars. Jeans, Moussy Vintage and the boots, Vionic with lug sole.

ohsofancyfrancie blue blazer
Blue Blazer from a True Blue Friend.