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An Amazing Vintage Banana Republic Collection

This catalog archive has definitely inspired me to start collecting vintage Banana Republic stuff, but it’s also put me in touch with other Banana Republic enthusiasts which has been a real treat. Vintage clothing collector JT shared his Banana Republic collection with us, stylishly displayed on a leather armchair straight from the Bengal Explorer’s Club lounge! I particularly love the shopping bags from different BR eras. Thanks for sharing, JT!

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.

6 Comments

  • Lizabeta on December 11, 2011

    Nice collection! This may inspire me to share mine…I am a new reader but a long time fan of the old Banana Republic, and am happy to find I am not alone! Keep up the good work.

    • Robyn on December 13, 2011

      LOve to see your collection! Do share! Thanks for reading and commenting.

  • Jeff Stoltman on December 23, 2011

    I found the 1986 “Holiday Update” catalog in my office as I cleaned it out this week.. Good memories. Including memories of the store that used to be less than 2 miles from our home… In Birmingham Michigan!!

    Great website. Thanks for all the hard work.

  • ATHENA on January 18, 2012

    Have a lot of New Boxes & tote Bags complete with tissue all unused. Made sure I always got extra for family members that I bought things for. The catalogs were so artistic that I saved those but then decided just to keep the covers only & took those off because it was taking up so much room.

    I Still have a Brand New Coorespondence Bag that has two pockets with Leather trim made in UK, plus a Brand New Weekend Duffle Bag to Match it, neither one has ever been used. I used another one I bought till I wore that one out but never used the other two, just wanted to save them because they were so unique. I purchased all my Vintage items off Rodeo Drive back in the 80’s from a BR they had there. Loved the Store & the whole Indiana Jones Style & Theme. I should think of getting rid of them now but it is hard to do also. Your site brought back so many Great Memories.

  • adrian s on February 15, 2014

    In the late 70’s I bought a shirt at Laguna Beach that is made of a floral heavy upholstery fabric. It has the Banana Republic – Laguna Beach label. Is this the same company ? Would there be people interested in this.? Adrian

  • Walter Lacayo on August 27, 2016

    Hello, greetings from Los Angeles, I have warm memories of Banana Republic. In those days I started working in film production and I kept running into young people wearing these cool looking clothes and asked “Where did you get that shirt? or Hey where did you get that great shoulder bag? ” They all said ” It’s Banana Republic, there’s an out of this world store in Beverly Hills and I saw Steven Spielberg’s wife shopping there” Can you bring those clothes back in to the market?

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