Re-“Discover” Banana Republic

Until recently, Banana Republic had been relegated to most of us as the mass retailer for work clothes. However, a recent trip to Banana really blew me away in every sense, especially smell. According to the brand, the Discover Collection of fragrances was “created to stir the senses and the soul, the scents seek to evoke singular, personal moments in time through the memory of scent.” Since the two current scents adorning the vanity of your young writer trigger recollections of an ex-boyfriend and underage clubbing, it is probably about time to make some new memories. So, join with me as I re-Discover Banana…

Each fragrance identifies with a name that calls to mind a magnificent material that evokes a certain color, texture or experience. First, exploring the Rosewood scent, a thick fragrance of bergamot champagne, white tea leaves, and white amber, it smells like mom. Rosewood is exactly the kind of sweet, warm scent she would be drawn to and the gorgeous wood cylindrical box makes it the perfect design to encase the pebble shaped perfume bottle. Jade is usually the type of scent I’m drawn to for its fresh, citrusy smell. There is something unexpected and intriguing about the way the key notes of pomegranate, musky cotton flower, and kasmir wood mix together. As the description says, the “scent pops with flirtation and contagious vigor.” The truth is that it truly awakens the senses with a jolt. Bordering on masculine, Jade makes a strong first impression and is a perfect choice for an evening out.

And just like Goldilockses before me, it is the last choice that was just right. Alabaster, so simple and clean, just as the moniker indicates. A sophisticated expression of pure femininity comprised of lotus flower, wild rose, and a trace amount musk. This scent reminisces of the carefree summer days, when the slate is clean and the city holds endless possibilities of new experiences to explore and places to discover.

The Discover Collection can be found at Banana Republic in The Grove and online at www.bananarepublic.com. Fragrances sold individually. If you can’t settle on one scent, the travel size gift set includes a 10mL container of each of the three fragrances.