Banana Republic was founded in San Francisco, and the new Spring lineup, entitled True California, took the brand back to its West Coast heritage. Instead of repackaging the season s major trends, this collection focused on classic American sportswear, which was the foundation of BR, and the result was authentically fresh. At the Spring presentation, acting head of women s design Melloney Birkett explained that she wanted to play up textures by working in a neutral color palette with "Sonoran desert shades—sand, oatmeal, and hints of grounding coral." A clean ivory bomber that combined nubby linen and cotton piqué was paired with a tonal basket-weave sweater and flattering fluted skirt. Meanwhile, a perforated white leather shift dress layered underneath a crisp trench looked modern and versatile. The pant silhouettes were easy and relaxed. Soft, borrowed-from-the-boyfriend chinos cuffed just above the ankle were well suited to both BR s signature safari jacket and a simple button-up. And styled with a casual navy V-neck pullover and accessorized with an on-trend bucket bag, braided bangle bracelet, and chic cognac leather ankle-strap sandals, a pair of wide-legged "framed" trousers in color-blocked tuxedo stripes stood out. On the menswear side, tailored khaki suits, light wash jeans, and sharp peacoats hit a similar note. Ultimately, uncomplicated wardrobe staples are what Banana Republic does best, and the label was smart to emphasize them here.
