Real Women Wear: Banana Republic Trench

Name: Patrice Yursik
From: Chicago, IL
Age: 30
Blog: Afrobella

How do you feel?
Like I need a bigger trench.

How is the fit?
It doesn't fit well and makes me feel self-conscious. The sleeves fit fine, the rest...not so much. Can't button or belt it. And makes me sad that Banana Republic still doesn't make plus sizes. C'mon! There's money to be made here! Old Navy's doing it and you're part of the same company!

How is the fabric?
Silky, luxurious, awesome. The garment feels like an instant classic for your wardrobe. Something you'd wear for years.

Where would you wear it?
Pretty much just here in the store, as it fits right now. If it fit me well, I'd wear this as often as I could. I love fall fashion and this is a classic piece. Tim Gunn would instruct me to buy this, I think.

How would you accessorize it?
I would wear this with chocolate brown leggings, lace up ankle boots and an animal print dress. Giraffe would be hot! And I'd rock it with a bold red lip - I love camel and red together. Today I wore it with my brown tweed Lane Bryant wide leg pants and my Grace Jones tee by Cut It Out apparel. I accessorized with leopard leather and brass earrings by Peace Images. That's an everyday fall look I would wear.

Would you buy it?
If it came in my size, sure. But right now...no.

Real Women Wear: Banana Republic Trench

Name: Rosemary Ebertfrom
From: Center Valley, PA
Blog: Momperks

How do you feel?
I entered the Banana Republic in my usual attire, leggings, tunic and a terrific pair of strappy wedges. I didn't realize how frumpy I looked until I tried on the classic trench hanging in the misses section of Banana Republic. As soon as I slipped it on, I was transformed into a sophisticated woman. I no longer looked like a hurried mom. I felt fantastic in this trench.

How is the fit?
I tried on the small. I am usually a 6. It molded to my body perfectly. I would probably size up to a M, if I planned on wearing a lot of sweaters this fall or winter. I was able to move my arms freely without the slightest tug. Most trenches I've tried seem to pull a bit when I stretch my arms, but not this one.

How is the fabric?
I love the fact that the inside is lined, with a silk striped lining, so that I could roll up my sleeves, exposing the lining, to show off my favorite cuff bracelet.

Where would you wear it?
I could wear this anywhere, which is the fantastic part. It goes from night to day and from season to season. It goes great with jeans, a pencil skirt, even my little black dress. The price at $198 is reasonable for something that I would plan to wear almost daily and Banana runs sales constantly which is a bonus, if you can grab it at a sale price.

How would you accessorize it?
I also loved the fact that even a very simple outfit legging outfit underneath, I looked like I was dashing off to run my own company. I tried it on with Banana's" Bliss" sunglasses and loved the whole Hollywood feel that it gave me. I also paired it with one of their new floppy felt hats for fall. I felt like I was taking a walk down the streets of Paris in this ensemble. It changed me from ordinary mom of 6 to a woman who felt sexy and chic.

Would you buy it?
I would definitely buy this trench because of that reason. I could have any old thing underneath, and still look like the woman I feel like inside, just by slipping it on. I was true to my word, too, I bought it in black!

Real Women Wear: Banana Republic Trench

Name: Sylvia Colette Branch
From: Cleveland, IL
Age: 40

How do you feel?
Unfortunately, I didn't care for how it looked on my body. Khaki just isn't my thing, I am partial to brightly colored outerwear.

How is the fit?
The slate gray was only available in XS in the store so I had to pass. The medium fit nicely on my size 8 figure, it may be a bit snug if layered over a sweater, but the arm length is perfect for me.

How is the fabric?
The trench is well-made with all the timeless details, including an extra long removable belt, epaulets and a solid lining with a nice pattern. The fabric is impressive, weightier than I expected with a nice subtle sheen. I tried on the black, checked, and khaki version.

How would you accessorize it?
Walking in, I imagined myself wearing the classic khaki trench coat over dark wash jeans and boots with a cute hat, maybe even a spy-worthy fedora, to top it off.

Would you buy it?
While my style does include many classic elements - straight skirts, white shirts, red or nude nails - this classic trench coat won't be fitting in to my fall wardrobe.

Real Women Wear: Banana Republic Trench

Name: Kate Pesich
From: North Carolina
Age: 27

How do you feel?
To be quite honest--I feel a little frumpy because of fit issues.

How is the fit?
I'm probably a little short for the large at 5'6 (size 12), but it's the only size that will accommodate my bust. The sleeves are a little long for my taste, and the trench hits me just at the knee. The beige colored coat makes me feel much more self-conscious than the black one. I felt like it made me look larger in the middle. The bust was very fitted, which was nice, but made it impossible to go down a size to medium. A medium might have bunched less on other areas of my body, providing a nicer fit.

How is the fabric?
The fabric is nice. It's lightweight and seems like it would not only hold up through fall and winter, and especially spring.

Where would you wear it?
I'd wear it with business casual attire to the office, or with jeans and a sweater when appropriate. It's casual enough to be worn all the time but classic enough to be taken seriously for a more formal occasion.

How would you accessorize it?
I'd probably choose the black trench and accessorize it with a long light-colored scarf.

Would you buy it?
No because the fit is for someone a little thinner and taller. If it fit me like the model or mannequin, I'd wear it everyday.

Real Women Wear: Banana Republic Trench

Name: Wendy Rose Gould
From: Phoenix, AZ.
Age: 27

How do you feel?
Under normal circumstances, I'd likely never try on this classic trench coat from Banana Republic. I prefer a cleaner silhouette and darker colors. Despite that, I had an open mind as I plucked it off the shelf. As I waited in line, I reveled in the idea that perhaps I'd find a new piece of clothing that worked on my hard-to-fit body shape (a curvy size 8).Unfortunately, the moment I put it on, I knew it wasn't right.

How is the fit?
I felt a little like the Michelin man or, perhaps, a potato sack tied in the middle: frumpy, sloppy and not my usual self. Of course, other women with different body types could easily pull off the look of this classic trench.

How is the fabric?
There's no doubt this trench coat was excellent quality. It looked and felt well put together with tiny accents -- like marbled buttons and buckles on the sleeve -- that added a bit of character.

How would you accessorize it?
Styled with a patterned scarf, a slicked back bun, killer suede boots and tiny gold earrings would create one of those fabulous, "look-at-me" outfits.

Would you buy it?
Unfortunately, that outfit is not for this girl. Also, with a price tag of over $150, I'd have to eat potatoes and Ramen noodles for 3 months to justify paying for it.

Real Women Wear: Banana Republic Trench