Banana Republic announced Monday that its Summer line would introduce a new form factor for remote professionals: the “Quarter Collar.”
Targeted at remote workers and young professionals, the Quarter Collar catalogue features clothing that extends only through the upper torso. The collared shirts, blouses, dresses, and other items are precision-cut to align with the “standard webcam frame,” ensuring full coverage during video conferencing while still allowing for “maximum comfort below the frame” when at home.
The company has also highlighted the budget-friendly nature of the lineup due to the minimal amount of fabric used, claiming as much as a 75% reduction in fabric for a full-length outfit. “These professional-but-comfortable garments are a must-have for any young professional’s wardrobe,” reads the catalogue. Quarter Collar dress shirts start at just $24.99, and work blouses at only $19.99, whereas their full-length counterparts would start at $59.99 and $54.99, respectively.
The catalogue is notably missing “bottom” pieces like pants and skirts, with an excerpt near the beginning describing them as “legacy garments.” While these pieces are missing, the catalogue features new categories, like Front Shirts, a Quarter Collar-exclusive clothing option consisting of only the front half of a button-up shirt. These can be secured to the customer’s torso using a rear suspender or optional gold-plated nipple clamps, so the garment “appears taut and natural within the webcam frame.”
Banana Republic expects this to be a major hit with work-from-home young professionals, but they anticipate that some may want to carry the look outside the home, as evidenced by their Tear Away clothes. These garments consist of a Front Shirt with side buttons, and an optional Back Shirt. “While taking a video call at home, wearers can enjoy the freedom of the Front Shirt, secured with suspenders or our Nipple Clamps. When it’s time to make an appearance in person, attach the Back Shirt for a fully-clothed look.”
The Quarter Collar line is expected to launch this summer. Banana Republic said early demand has been driven largely by customers who “don’t typically stand up during business hours.”