Beyond Banana: 29 Other Stores Like Banana Republic

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Though it’s long been one of my go-to brands, I also understand why style-conscious folks might want to find some other stores like Banana Republic to score stylish and affordable clothes.

On the one hand, BR’s styles are always reliable, their website is robust and easy to navigate, and they run a lot of sales, making it easy to score some good pieces at some great prices.

On the other hand, while their styles are generally smart, they can also be a little… well, predictable, let’s say.

Plus, when they’re not running sales, their base prices are actually on the higher end compared to other popular mall-based retailers.

Fortunately, they’re hardly the only game in town.

In this post I’ve rounded up more than two dozen other stores and brands like Banana Republic where you can find clothes in colors, styles and prices that you can’t always get at good ol’ BR.

The Best Stores Like Banana Republic

Breaking Down the Best Clothing Brands Like Banana Republic  ↓

J.Crew

J.Crew logo

Number one with a bullet.

Easily the closest Banana Republic alternative, J.Crew offers a similar selection of styles ranging from casual clothes all the way up to formalwear like suits and tuxedos.

Though they filed for bankruptcy shortly after the pandemic set in, by the end of 2020 they had re-emerged, which is great news for those of us who appreciate their modern-classic styles.

Check Out J.Crew ➤


J.Crew Factory

J.Crew factory logo

Number two with a… well, whatever comes in second after bullets. (Knives, maybe? I dunno.)

J.Crew Factory is essentially J.Crew’s little brother brand.

They’re similar to stores like Banana Republic and J.Crew in that they offer a wide range of clothes and accessories, but different in that they tend to offer a smaller selection at (pretty significantly) discounted prices.

Check Out J.Crew Factory ➤


Frank And Oak

Frank And Oak logo

Canadian brand Frank and Oak definitely isn’t as well known as Banana Republic, but makes a great alternative.

They specialize in casual pieces like denim, shirts, sweaters and jackets, but have a modern design aesthetic that puts an on-point spin on staples.

And like a lot of other brands recently (including BR), they’ve been moving into the comfortable/athleisure space, offering a Flex Collection made from premium fabrics designed to stretch as you move.

Check Out Frank And Oak ➤


TopMan

TopMan logo

It’s not a perfect analogy, but you could sort of say that Topman (and its sister store Topshop) is to the UK what Banana Republic is to the U.S.

Both stores sell stylish, modern and affordable clothes that reflect the current appetites of their respective countries, and are simultaneously responsible (at least partially) for shaping those appetites.

Check Out TopMan ➤


Everlane

Everlane logo

Like many stores on this list, Everlane carries sharp and modern staple pieces, but they also offer an added advantage:

They put a heavy emphasis on ethics, which means that they exclusively make clothes in ethical factories using fine, high-quality materials.

Check Out Everlane ➤


Madewell

Madewell

Rounding out the J.Crew family (like I said, they’re a close BR competitor, so pretty much all their stores make for good Banana Republic alternatives), Madewell has a slightly more focused mission.

They put the emphasis on denim and all the staple pieces that go with it (i.e. sweaters, tees, boots, etc.), making them a little more casual than stores like Banana Republic and J.Crew.

Check Out Madewell ➤


Fisher + Baker

Fisher and Baker logo

Like Banana Republic, Fisher + Baker specializes in the sort of modern-meets-classic staple pieces you can use to build a capsule wardrobe.

Their offerings are a little more limited than some of the other stores on this list (they don’t do jeans, for instance), but they’re a great place to turn for core pieces like tees, shirts and sweaters.

Check Out Fisher + Baker ➤


Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters logo

Urban Outfitter’s core audience definitely skews a little younger, a little more casual, and to be frank, a little hipper than Banana Republic’s.

But with that said, they carry a pretty lineup of casual staple pieces from reputable brands, and have the advantage of selling more than just clothes: it’s a good place to find everything from stylish accessories to cool home accent pieces.

Check Out Urban Outfitters ➤


Uniqlo

Uniqlo logo

If Topman is kind of like the British Banana Republic, you could say that Uniqlo is kind of like the Japanese BR.

They’ve developed something of a cult following in North America for their fashionable and functional staple pieces, like their lightweight merino v-neck sweaters and other pieces designed with both form and function in mind.

Check Out Uniqlo ➤


boohooMAN

boohooMan logo

Another UK-based brand, boohooMan is the menswear side of the womenswear site boohoo.com.

The brand is definitely more casual/hip than some of the other brands like Banana Republic, specializing in super trendy and stylish pieces that are about as up-to-the-minute “in” as it gets.

Check Out boohooMAN ➤


Nordstrom

Nordstrom logo

As a full fledged department store, Nordstrom carries a much wider range of options than Banana Republic (some of which carry much higher price tags).

But the two stores definitely have a similar aesthetic, and Nordstrom offers a number of brands priced similarly to BR, particularly their in-house fashion brands.

Check Our Nordstrom ➤


Nordstrom Rack

Nordstrom Rack logo

Nordstrom Rack is the baby brother of the flagship Nordstrom store and offers similar styles at significantly discounted prices.

The only catch (and there’s almost always a catch when it comes to brand new clothes sold at a heavy discount) is that they carry last year’s inventory, so it’s a great place to score a deal on pieces you intend to keep for years, but not necessarily the best place to turn if you’re looking for super trendy pieces that are of-the-moment.

Check Out Nordstrom Rack ➤


H&M

H&M logo

H&M is another example of a store like Banana Republic that leans a little younger, a little hipper and a lot cheaper.

They’ve carved out a reputation for being one of the most fashion-forward of the mall based clothing retailers, but also one of the cheapest—both in terms of price and the quality of their clothes.

Check Out H&M ➤


Target

Target logo

Like Banana Republic, Target stores are so easy to find that they’re almost ubiquitous in American shopping centers.

But don’t let their commonality fool you: Target actually makes a great Banana Republic alternative for anyone looking for timeless and staple pieces and affordable (and very attractive) prices.

Check Out Target ➤


ASOS

ASOS logo

Whereas Banana Republic exclusively sells clothes made by its own brand, Asos is both a brand and a department store that carries other popular brand names.

And unlike BR, which specializes in safe pieces that look sharp but won’t necessarily turn heads, Asos is all about the sort of flashy statement pieces that will help you stand out.

Check Out ASOS ➤


Bonobos

Bonobos logo

One of my favorite menswear brands, Bonobos shares Banana Republic’s “classic meets modern” aesthetic.

Like Br, they specialize in sharp versions of the kinds of core wardrobe pieces that you can (and should) have in your wardrobe for years to come.

Check Out Bonobos ➤


The Gap

The Gap logo

Owned by the same parent company as Banana Republic, the Gap is kind of like BR’s kid brother.

If Banana Republic is where you shop to find clothes for work, Gap is where you should shop to find clothes for the weekend.

They specialize in the sort of unimpeachable, all-American casual staples everyone needs in their coset.

Check Out The Gap ➤


Old Navy

Old Navy logo

Also owned by the same parent company as Gap and Banana Republic, Old Navy is the most casual and most affordable of the three.

If the Gap could best be described as “like Banana Republic, but more casual,” then Old Navy could best be described as “like the Gap, but cheaper.”

Check Out Old Navy ➤


American Eagle

American Eagle

Moving away from stores with the same corporate parent, American Eagle skews younger and more casual than BR, making it a closer competitor to Banana Republic’s casual cousins Gap and Old Navy.

But it’s one of those reliable stores like Banana Republic that’s a staple in most malls.

Like BR, you always know what you’re going to get at AE: while the exact styles may change from season to season, the overall aesthetic hasn’t changed in years.

Check Out American Eagle ➤


Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie & Fitch logo

The description above for American Eagle could well be copied and pasted here for Abercrombie.

You might not think of it as a close Banana Republic competitor, but A&F carries a wide range of stylish staples that rivals both the quality and price of Banana’s more casual offerings, making them a good alternative.

Check Out Abercrombie & Fitch ➤


Mr. Porter

Mr. Porter logo

This definitely isn’t the place to turn if you’re looking for cheaper stores like Banana Republic.

Mr. Porter specializes in carrying designer menswear from some of the biggest names in fashion, and often has the big price tags that go with it.

While the prices are certainly the high, both the designs and quality are second to none, so this is a great place to turn if you want to splurge, or pick up an investment piece that you can keep for decades.

Check Out Mr. Porter ➤


JackThreads

JackThreads logo

Moving from one end of the cost spectrum to the other, JackThreads definitely is a good place to turn for brands like Banana Republic, but with even better prices.

With a wide range of offerings that covers everything from suiting to streetwear, the best value at JackThreads is probably found in their most casual staples, like tees, sweaters, chinos and shorts.

Check Out JackThreads ➤


Amazon

Amazon logo

Amazon has long carried a wide selection of clothes from some of your favorite brands, but in recent years they’ve also invested in becoming one of your favorite brands.

They carry a range of in-house clothing brands, including Goodthreads and Amazon Essentials, both of which offer the sort of modern-yet-timeless staple pieces you’ll find at Banana Republic.

Check Out Amazon ➤


End Clothing

End Clothing logo

End carries a wide range of stylish and modern pieces from cool designers whose stuff you might not find anywhere else.

In addition to clothing, footwear and accessories, they also carry a pretty big selection of lifestyle products that includes everything from home furnishings to grooming products, fragrances and more.

Check Out End Clothing ➤


Forever 21

Forever 21 logo

As you might have guessed from the name, Forever 21 skews younger than some of the other brands like Banana Republic, and is probably a closer competitor of its baby brother store Old Navy, which also targets a younger demo.

But much like Old Navy, it carries a wide selection of casual staples at prices that are quite affordable, making it a good place to turn if you want a more casual alternative to Banana.

Check Out Forever 21 ➤


Zulily

Zulily logo

Zulily has a different business model than other site like Banana Republic — and from most other online retailers, for that matter.

Instead of just purchasing something from their site, first you have to become a member by signing up. Then, each day when you go the site, you’ll see a different selection of merchandise that the site has mad available to you, all at discounted prices that can go as high as 70% off.

Check Out Zulily ➤


Hollister

Another store that skews kind of young, Hollister is owned by the same parent company that owns Abercrombie & Fitch.

They’re a close competitor of stores like American Eagle and other brands aimed at college-age people, but have a pretty good selection of casual staple pieces with the same laid back, California-inspired vibe that’s worked so well for Abercrombie.

Check Out Hollister ➤


Romwe

Romwe logo

Romwe probably has more in common with department stores like Nordstrom Rack than apparel-only brands like Banana Republic.

In addition to clothes, they carry a huge selection of merchandise that includes everything from houseware to electronic gadgets.

But they also have a full line of fashion for both men and women, so it’s still a good place to keep in mind even if you’re only looking for clothes.

Check Out Romwe ➤


Zara

Zara logo

Where as Banana Republic’s merchandise is designed to be relatively timeless, Zara’s is basically the exact opposite:

They specialize in fashion-forward affordable designs inspired by the current looks of the world’s top runways, and famously turn over their entire industry every season.

So if you see something you like on their shelves or website, nab it; you’re not likely to see it again.

Check Out Zara ➤


6pm

6pm logo

6pm offers a wide range of shoes, clothes and accessories, all at affordable (and often heavily discounted) prices.

They’re owned by Zappos, which is a subsidiary of Amazon, meaning that they’ve got the whole “online shipping” thing down to a science and are a great place to score some good deals online.

Check Out 6pm ➤


You Know The Most Stylish Stores Like Banana Republic

Now Learn How to Become Your Most Stylish Self

Knowing where to turn for stores like Banana Republic will help you find a wider range of styles (and potentially some better prices) as you build and expand your wardrobe.

But it’s important to remember that knowing where to find affordable men’s clothes is one thing—knowing how to wear rock them is another.

The handsome devil is in the details.

If you want to put your best face forward, you need to know how to make your clothes – not to mention the other aspects of your look – look their best.

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More Men’s Style Advice from Irreverent Gent:

Banner image via Prayitno on Wikimedia

About Dave Bowden

Dave Bowden

Irreverent Gent founder Dave Bowden is a style blogger whose advice on how to look good and live well has been featured in some of the world’s most trusted publications, including New York Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider and more.

When not obsessing over style and self-improvement, he can usually be found spending time with his wonderful wife and sons, indulging in a hoppy craft beer, or sobbing over the woeful state of Toronto's sports teams.

Check out Dave's Style Story to find out how a chance encounter with his friend's step-dad taught him the value of looking good and living well. (Don't worry—it's less creepy than it sounds!)

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