Confession: I adore the mall. And some of the brands we grew up with are having a very real glow-up—better fabrics, sharper tailoring, more inclusive sizing and a stronger sense of identity. Below, the four “old-school” labels I reach for most in 2025, what they do best right now, how they fit, and a few smart starting points to build a modern, work-to-weekend rotation.
1) Banana Republic
Why they’re back: BR doubled down on elevated materials (cashmere, silk, linen, merino) and cleaned up the silhouettes—think relaxed suiting, fluid dresses, luxurious knits. The brand also expanded its lifestyle POV with a dedicated home line, signaling a more premium, “whole wardrobe/home” positioning. In September 2023, Banana Republic launched BR Home—furniture, textiles and decor that mirror the RTW aesthetic, from European oak to cotton-cashmere textiles. Source; PR. The brand’s 2021 refresh spelled out the heritage-meets-modern strategy. Source.
Fit notes: Women’s suiting tends to run true-to-size with slightly relaxed shoulders/hips; many trousers offer multiple inseams. Fabrics skew breathable and natural (see Gap Inc. materials roadmap). Source; broader sustainability targets here.
Where to start: Dresses & knitwear. Mock-neck minis and silk-blend midis flip from office to dinner; ribbed cashmere polos and oversized cardigans deliver that “polished but unfussy” vibe. If you’re nesting, the cotton-cashmere-silk bedding from BR Home is absurdly soft. Example.
Style recipe: Oversized topcoat + fine-gauge cashmere crew + pleated wide-leg trousers + sleek sneakers. (Swap the sneakers for block-heel boots after 6 p.m.)
2) LOFT
Why they’re back: LOFT excels at pieces that split the difference between “weekend comfy” and “weekday appropriate,” with most items under $150. You’ll find loads of petites (and some tall) in core categories. The in-house Lou & Grey line remains the coziest stuff on the floor—Signaturesoft really is cloud-level. Source; shop Lou & Grey overview here.
Fit notes: True-to-size in tops/knits; jeans and utility bottoms often have petite and tall inseams. Expect soft, easy fabrics and lots of machine-washable picks.
Where to start: Loungewear & soft tailoring. Signaturesoft wide-leg crops, knit sets that pass the Zoom test, poplin blouses with just-enough detail, denim utility skirts that style like trousers.
Style recipe: Lou & Grey knit pants + ribbed tank + slouchy blazer + minimalist trainers. Cozy, but meeting-worthy.
3) Ann Taylor
Why they’re back: AT leans “smart chic”—sleek trousers, saturated color, and feminine blouses—with one of the more reliable fit matrices in mall land: Classic, Curvy, Petite, and Tall across many pants. Curvy is cut fuller through hip/thigh so the waistband actually sits flat. Size charts and dedicated Curvy/Petite pages are easy to use. Size chart; Petite Curvy pants.
Ownership note: Ann Taylor (and LOFT/Lou & Grey) were acquired by an affiliate of Sycamore Partners in 2020, stabilizing the brands post-Ascena. Source.
Where to start: Pants. Wide-legs, slim ankle trousers, and “curvy” cuts that solve gaping waists. Add a textured blouse (clip dot, pleats, or subtle ruffles) to keep it from feeling too boardroom-basic.
Style recipe: Curvy wide-leg pant + silky tie-neck blouse + croc-embossed belt + cap-toe pumps. Polished without being precious.
4) White House Black Market
Why they’re back: WHBM still nails monochrome tailoring, but the special-tops category is where it shines now—blouses with corset seaming, knit tanks with structure, asymmetrical skirts that look designer-level when mixed with basics. The brand (a subsidiary of Chico’s FAS) went private in January 2024 when Chico’s FAS was acquired by Sycamore Partners, fueling a renewed focus on product and stores. Source. Brand overview here; background here.
Fit notes: Tops are often cut close to the body with stretch; jackets are tailored but not tight. Cocktail dresses tend to be bra-friendly (bless).
Where to start: Tops. Bra-friendly tanks, cardigan-jackets, dressy blouses with high-low styling power. Add one to denim or suiting and the outfit suddenly reads “intentional.”
Style recipe: Bustier-detail knit top + longline blazer + column midi skirt + slingbacks. Minimal effort, maximum “who is she?”
How to shop these brands like a pro (and avoid “orphan” buys)
- Use the Three-Outfit Rule: Don’t buy unless you can style it three ways with things you already own. (Cost-per-wear will magically drop.)
- Exploit sizing matrices: LOFT/Ann Taylor’s Petite & Curvy cuts are legit. Start there if you often tailor waists or hems. Guide.
- Prioritize fabric hand + care: If you won’t dry-clean, look for machine-wash silk blends, ponte, and wrinkle-resistant crepes.
- Check the materials story: Gap Inc. (BR’s parent) publishes fiber and climate goals, including lower-impact raw materials and recycled polyester initiatives across the portfolio. Materials; industry recycling move (Gap’s offtake for textile-to-textile rPET) covered by Vogue Business.
Cheat-sheet: what to add first
- Banana Republic: Silk-blend midi dress; cashmere polo; relaxed wide-leg trouser. Brand refresh.
- LOFT: Lou & Grey Signaturesoft set; poplin corset-seam blouse; denim utility skirt. Fabric info.
- Ann Taylor: Curvy wide-leg pants in Petite/Tall; clip-dot blouse; cropped trench. Size chart.
- WHBM: Corset-seamed sweater; asymmetrical midi; stretch suiting blazer. Ownership update.
Ownership & industry context: LOFT, Ann Taylor and Lou & Grey were acquired by a Sycamore Partners affiliate in 2020, while WHBM’s parent Chico’s FAS went private under Sycamore in January 2024—moves that concentrated several legacy mall favorites under one investment umbrella and have coincided with tighter assortments and clearer brand POVs. Sycamore/Ascena release; Chico’s acquisition; analysis via Forbes.
The takeaway: If you haven’t browsed these four in a minute, now’s the time. Start with one high-mileage category at each (BR dresses/knits, LOFT loungewear-meets-office, AT pants, WHBM tops), run the Three-Outfit Rule, and your cart—and closet—will get a lot smarter, fast.
