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Banana Republic Catalog No. 16 Holiday 1983

All aboard the Christmas train. This cover by Kevin Sarkki adds to the BR vehicle fleet. We’ve got Jeeps, Bi-planes, and now a Kenyan steam train festooned with Christmas decorations. Awesome. This is the last of the monotone catalogs. #17 would bring the full color treatment to the BR catalog as the new infusion of Gap money fully hits the company.

Banana Republic Catalog  #16 1983 Holiday by Kevin Sarkki

Now with 5 stores, BR is on the rise! Still plenty of surplus to pour over, including these British Civil Defense badges and armbands as well as Franco’s famous butt-kicker pants. The photojournalist vest is the first of three versions of what is arguably BR’s most famous garment.

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Not one but TWO pages of aviation-worthy goods in this 1983 holiday catalog. Check out the sheepskin flight helmet and jacket along with the crazy cool “Trigger Mittens”!

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Check out the entire catalog, it’s full of rare gems and old favorites. Norwegian String Vest? Hell yes!

About The Author

Robyn Adams
Robyn's fascination with Banana Republic began in 1984 when her Alaskan adventurer father began buying the clothing and giving her the catalogs. She loved the clothes and as an artist she was drawn to the illustrations. She went on to study illustration at art college in BR's hometown of San Francisco and worked for years as a background artist for animation. She is now based in Oakland, CA as a graphic designer and illustrator with Secret Fan Base . She's been collecting and archiving at Abandoned Republic since 2011.

1 Comment

  • Mallthus on February 14, 2023

    I owned the “Weatherproof Jacket”. I saw it in the Polk Street store and, being a teenager, asked my parents for it…repeatedly. Finally got it for Christmas 1983. Pretty sure I was one of the only 14 year olds rocking Gurkha khakis and a green waxed cotton Calder coat in Southern California. 🙄

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