Learn How to Mix and Match with Banana Republic

Veronica: Always sheek and stylish, Banana Republic does it right once again with their 2010 fall collection. Hi I'm Veronica with watchmojo.com and today we’re learning how to dress for the cooler weather. The creative director Simon Kneen said that this collection is all about the modern mix of the wardrobe. What does that mean exactly?

Tara Wickwire: People today, when they shop for a wardrobe it’s not about a series of different occasions, they're really looking for versatile pieces that can take them from work to an evening function an evening something that can take them to the weekend as well so it’s really a cross functional wardrobe.

Veronica: Is there a wrong and right way to mix and match?

Tara Wickwire: The key thing to keep in mind is try to play with opposite so mix a really sleek slim pant with an oversized sweater, mix you masculine trouser with a great lady like blouse, mix your knits with your bag. For example a button front blouse and button front shirt mixed out with a great knit cardigan and then cut out that mixture together really gives it balanced appeal and I think it’s something that you can have a lot of fun with that looks very sophisticated as well.

Veronica: Now do you think you can choose some memorable pieces from this collection?

Tara Wickwire: Definitely yes. The essential lady like piece the little ruffled front blouse is one of my favorites just because of the tip detail. We put it under a masculine style cardigan so great knit a must have for the fall. And on the bottom we’ve given her a great sleek pair of stretch jogs her inspired pants. So it’s part of the look mix them with the lady like pieces and then she has more of an edgy bag with braided handles.

For this look we have given her the same thing she wears her stretchy gray pants. So he also has layer on her knits, a great cardigan and over that again we've added the blazer and of course a great chunky chain necklace. And of course she has a clutch. Finally over here this is a great black leather jacket. It’s very lightweight so it’s really great. We mixed this men’s wear inspired piece with a really lady like dress. So this is the color block style, some pleading, and gives her this great gold necklace and she has her clutch as well to take her from the office to evening.

It’s also a bit layering when it comes to jewelry so instead of the bigger chunkier elements to the necklaces that we've seen in past seasons now it’s only the layered chains layered elements in the necklaces so really kind of a cascade pattern. And then when it comes to bracelets and cuffs as well we used the same thing. So we have this gold cuff one of my favorites. So it’s a fine gold detail but layered.

This is a great example of how men can layer as well. And the one I’ll show you is a little unexpected. So here we have this great cargo inspired jacket. So he has his great jacket over a really classic Banana Republic cardigan with the buttoned shirt and a tie. And here he has a little pin straight dress pant. It’s a suit pant that you could break off and wear with your other separates and altogether a fabulous fashionable statement for men.