Banana Republic is a widely successful American clothing retailer. Currently known for upscale clothing with a funky twist, from sleek boots to boldly colored cashmere, the store was founded in 1978 as a safari-themed outlet. It became well known for its fun and cavalier catalogue that presented clothing items vis-a-vis lengthy "back stories." In 1983, Banana Republic was taken over by Gap Inc., a retailer that has been around since 1969. Gap Inc. re-branded Banana Republic to make it more up-market. The company phased out the safari-themed items and rebuilt the BR brand as a high volume luxury seller featuring classic pants, beautifully simple dresses, coats, blouses, and accessories from scarves to belts. Banana Republic saw so much success as a result that it ended up competing with its brother companies. Today, Gap Inc. runs almost 400 outlets of Banana Republic around the world, mostly in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico. In 2005, Banana Republic opened four outlets in Japan. Together with Old Navy, a value outlet, and The Gap, a mid-market retailer, Banana Republic completes Gap Inc.'s retail trifecta. Featuring everything from jewelry to slacks, Banana Republic items are typically classic with a sense of fun. Elegant cocktail dresses mix with retro costume jewelry and traditional items such as trenchcoats and men's shirts come in wild, energized colors. For pieces that combine timeless style with current trends, Banana Republic label is a great source.
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