Abandoned Republic: a blog dedicated to pre-GAP Banana Republic.
(via Archival Clothing)
Banana Republic was originally a surplus vendor, then started to make reproduction surplus goods, then original designs. They were purchased by GAP in the early 80s (both were Bay Area-based) and transformed over the course of ten or fifteen years into the metrosexual mecca they are today.
Whether you’re already a fan of early BR or not, the book they put out in 1986 is a great read.