Does Banana Republic Run Small? (Shop Smart)

Banana Republic products run big. Their sizing charts are all over the place, but most of their clothing runs large, so you need to size down to get the best fit.

Banana Republic, an upscale clothing and accessories retailer, has shouldered the responsibility to provide a perfect blend of grandeur and business-friendly clothes for the last couple of decades.

Despite their eye-rolling sizing decisions, the brand has seen a meteoric rise in popularity, which is why breaking down the sizing system at BR is essential.

And that’s exactly what I intend to do in this article. But if you directly want to shop the mega-sale happening at Banana Republic, you can simply click on the button below.

How Does Banana Republic Clothing Fit?

Banana Republic products vary drastically across sizes and products. While women’s shirts and sweaters run big, the men’s collection varies from product to product, so it is best to follow the size guide.

Banana Republic has made some questionable decisions regarding its size charts.

The brand has introduced a detailed size chart to provide a positive shopping environment. But sadly, it is all over the place (quite literally!).

Which means that you have to take that size chart with a grain of salt. From experience, here’s what I recommend you do.

Take a look at the official size chart on the Banana Republic website. Compare your measurements with it, and if you are buying tops (shirts, jackets, sweaters) just go for one size smaller than what the chart recommends. If you are buying pants, you can follow the chart as is, because they run true to size.

Follow this rule of thumb, and you’ll avoid all the hassle that comes with returns and exchanges.

Despite being on an awkward middle ground regarding its pricing, the brand provides accessible luxury clothing with excellent fabrics and solid construction techniques. 

One more thing 👉 Sometimes the Banana Republic website shows discounts on products only after going through the clearance section and not if you directly go to the product page. Thus, make sure that you always check for your product in the sale section on the Banana Republic website.

What size should you buy?

The size of clothing you should order from Banana Republic will depend on a variety of factors, including your body measurements, the fit of the clothing you prefer, and the specific item you’re interested in.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to read customer reviews for the specific item you’re interested in to see if other customers have found the item to run small or large.

Which Banana Republic Items Run Small?

Banana Republic Clothing	Sizing
Sweaters and Cardigans	Run big
Shirts and Tops	Run small (women) or big (men)
Coats	Run big
Pants	True to size

Sweaters and Cardigans

Knit sweaters and cardigans from Banana Republic run big, so it is advised to size down when buying them online.

Different sweaters have different fits, so check their sizing guide to know more.

Despite the high-quality fabric used, knits tend to loosen after every ten to fifteen washes, so it is highly recommended to size down for a better fit.

Therefore, if you buy a regular medium at other stores, a standard small would be a perfect fit, thanks to its soft, stretchy, and comfy material.

Shirts

Women’s blouses from Banana Republic run small. So, a regular medium fit would be the best option for an average small-sized person. 

However, a button-down shirt from the men’s section tends to run on a bigger side. But the sizing guide is so ridiculous that people have ended up with different kinds of fit, despite the same product size.

Therefore, I recommend buying a men’s shirt a size up and a size down, so you can keep whatever fits you best. They have a gorgeous hassle-free return policy, which means you do not need to worry about your purchases.

Coats

Banana Republic’s vast collection of coats and jackets tends to run big. Despite the information on the website, they are not true to their size.

It is advisable to size down for a snug fit; however, if you wish to layer with a thicker interior, you could follow the size guide. The fit also seems to vary from product to product.

Pants

Banana Republic pants are true to size. If you are a regular 32W, skinny pants are a snug fit but still have room for movement around the crotch.

However, you may need to size down for a pair of straight pants, like their High-rise Straight Corduroy Pants, despite what the website says.

Does Banana Republic Make Plus-size Clothing?

Banana Republic sizes go up to 20W for pants and XXL for tops.

Banana Republic boasts of an extravagant line of plus-size collections on its social media platforms and official website. However, compared to the versatile quality and quantity for its regular audience, its plus-size collection is relatively small and underwhelming.

Jeans from Banana Republic are also not curvy-friendly, so it is recommended to size up for most plus-size clothing items, even if you need to alter the waist.

Banana Republic Size Chart For Men

All measurements are in inches.

Size	Neck	Sleeve	Chest	Waist
XS	13½	32	34 – 35	28 – 29
S	14 – 14½	33	36 – 37	29 – 31
M	15 – 15½	34	38 – 40	32 – 33
L	16 – 16½	35	41 – 44	34 – 35
XL	17 – 17½	35½	45 – 48	36 – 37
XXL	18 – 18½	36	49 – 52	38 – 39

Banana Republic Size Chart For Women

All measurements are in inches.

Size	Sleeve	Bust	Waist	Hips
00	31½	31	24	34
0	31½	32	25	35
2	31½	33	26	36
4	32	34	27	37
6	32	35	28	38
8	33	36	29	39
10	33	37	30	40
12	34	38½	31½	41½
14	34	40	33	43
16	34½	41½	34½	44½

Final Remarks

Banana Republic has managed to stay relevant in fashion by providing luxury clothes at accessible prices. With its rising popularity, one can only hope the brand will soon incorporate more size options to appeal to a larger audience.

Here’s a quick recap of the article.

Does Banana Republic run small? No, most of their products run big, so you need to size down. Due to various disparities in its sizing guide, you need to pay close attention to the reviews before making any purchase.