Reviews

Banks Journal Review

About Banks Journal

Banks Journal Review

Surf’s up! Banks Journal is an up-and-coming men’s streetwear brand that draws inspiration from Japanese style and Aussie surf culture— think Byron Bay meets Tokyo. This Banks Journal review will scope out the brand and see what it has to offer.  

The brand is rising in popularity for its minimalist design aesthetic and well-made apparel. They have an ever-growing fan base on Instagram with 69k followers. 

As a contemporary coastal clothing brand, Banks Journal makes sustainability a top priority. They claim a personal responsibility for preserving the environment, and keep this principle at the forefront of their company’s vision. 

The hip brand is certainly making waves, so let’s dive into this Banks Journal review and see whether or not they live up to the hype. 

Overview of Banks Journal

Banks Journal Review

Banks Journal launched in 2014 with its four core founders at the helm. The men have a mix of Japanese and Australian heritage: Tim Chocran and Rama McCabe grew up on the surfing coasts of Byron Bay, and Masa Shibahara and Motoo Noda were raised in the busy metropolitan city of Tokyo. Collectively, they fuse the best of both worlds into their label.

Inspired by the Aussie coastline culture, the company named itself after the prevalent sandbanks in the region, dropping the word ‘sand.’ They were inspired to adopt this name from the sandbanks at the beach, which are constantly changing and evolving, just like their approach to fashion. 

The brand claims to have a detail-oriented, functional approach to their clothing design. They aim to offer utility and function in everything they produce, adding some stretch where it’s needed and waterproofing when required. Comfort and practicality always come first, and their hip aesthetic is just an added bonus.

As lovers of the coastline, they also keep sustainability close to their hearts and claim to be taking every opportunity to reduce their environmental footprint. The label makes their tees and the bulk of their fleece with organic cotton, they use phthalate-free inks in their screen printing, and they even use repurposed soda bottles to create their woven labels!

Sometimes the brand also collabs with others on their collections. Recently they featured a line of clothing designed by Aussie surfboard company Vouch, and the tequila brand Los Sundays. They fuse their own unique style with these brands to create complementary designs that reflect both companies— and look super rad too!

This bicoastal brand currently has offices in Byron Bay, Tokyo, and Newport Beach in Southern California, as well as a brick and mortar store in Los Angeles. Despite its global presence, the company still humbly describes itself as a small business with the same mentality as a new startup. 

This Banks Journal review has just examined some interesting background info on the brand, and now it’s time to check out a list of highlights.

Highlights

  • Good selection of comfortable, casual attire for men
  • Laid-back design aesthetic
  • The brand has implemented several sustainability measures
  • Very reasonable prices
  • Ships internationally

Banks Journal T-shirts Review

This cool surfer brand has a seemingly limitless supply of funky minimalist tees. Let’s take a look at some bestselling Banks Journal T-shirts. 

Banks Journal Compass Faded Tee Shirt Review

The Compass Faded Tee Shirt is one of the most popular Banks Journal T-shirts. It comes in black, and features an orange and white, small, washed-out logo printed on the front, as well as a larger, full-sized rendition on the back.

Echoing the brand’s commitment to sustainability, the shirt is crafted from 100% organic cotton and the woven labels are made from recycled polyester.

The website offers helpful details on the model in the photo to see how the shirt would fit you. The site also mentions that they upped the cut on this shirt from the previous versions in order to try out a new style, and from the photos, it looks pretty cool!

This shirt is advertised as being super comfy and soft, mostly stemming from the cotton material. This can easily become your new staple T-shirt for the price of $45.

Banks Journal Calypso L/S Tee Shirt Review

The Banks Journal Calypso L/S Tee Shirt comes in a standard long-sleeved crew style, with a super neat rendition of their logo on the front featuring an image of palm trees. On the back there’s an exaggerated version of the logo with sweet design features like a checkered wave print that contrasts with the bubble font.

This long-sleeve shirt is created from 100% organic cotton and is ribbed at the neck and cuffs. The woven labels are made from recycled polyester, and the paper swing tags are approved by the Forest Stewardship Council. So, it’s definitely eco-friendly.

The shirt comes in white, light pink, and black varieties and in sizes XS to XXL. The price is listed at $55

Banks Journal Walkshorts Review

The Banks Journal walkshorts collection offers an eclectic, colorful variety of shorts, available in all sorts of patterns and colors. But they all have one thing in common: they each have a chill style and vibe. Let’s take a look at some of the brand’s bestsellers!

Banks Journal Vouch Cord Elastic Walkshort Review

The Vouch Cord Elastic Walkshort is a product that comes from the collaboration between Banks Journal and the Australian surfboard company, Vouch. Made in limited numbers, the clothing line is inspired by the surf brand’s alternative perception of board design.

These multi-colored corduroy shorts reflect Vouch’s unique, signature design aesthetic with their contrasting mix of colors, along with the black elastic band. They also feature a black back pocket to match the elastic waistband, and an embroidered Vouch logo that reminds us of the 90s.

Like all the eco-friendly Banks Journal merch, the woven labels are crafted from recycled polyester, and the paper swing tags are Forest Stewardship Alliance approved. 

These shorts have some stretch to them, and come down the leg at 17”. Despite being corduroy the material is still lightweight, making them super breathable. 

These shorts range in size from XS to XXL and are priced at $75.

Banks Journal Big Bear Walkshort Review

The Big Bear Walkshorts combine style with utility and feature a lightweight design. The pocketed, denim-style shorts are made from 98% cotton and 2% elastane to give some stretch where it’s needed for ultra comfort. There are also two convenient pockets in the front and one in the back. 

These shorts come in six different color options ranging, including neutral black, earthy green, brown, and a deep blue, to name a few. They’re stone-washed to achieve the hi-low faded effect, which adds to the coastal, beachy vibes of the shorts.

Featuring the recycled polyester woven labels and FSC approved paper swing tags, these shorts reflect the brand’s commitment to sustainability. The sizing ranges from 28 to 38, and there’s a helpful fit guide on the brand’s website to help you choose the perfect size. 

The Big Bear Walkshorts are currently listed for $75.

Banks Journal Headwear Review

Banks Journal offers an amazing collection of baseball caps, beanies, and bucket hats that come in an assortment of colors and designs that mirror the brand’s casual, coastal aesthetic.

Now, this Banks Journal review will take a look at some of the brand’s best-selling headwear. 

Banks Journal Primary Beanie Review

The Primary Beanie by Banks Journal is a basic staple for your wardrobe, and is offered in six different colors, including white, navy, pink, and more. 

It’s a mixed fabric beanie created from 55% acrylic and 45% cotton. And, of course, it includes the recycled polyester woven labels and paper swing tags approved by the Forest Stewardship Alliance. 

This Banks Journal beanie is described as having a snug, cozy fit. It comes in one size and is priced super reasonably at $25 

Banks Journal Label Hat Review

The Banks Journal Label Hat is a cool, deconstructed snapback cap with the brand’s label embroidered on the front in a simple, minimalistic font.

Crafted from 100% cotton that’s been vintage washed, this six-panel hat comes in five different colors. It’s also a one-size-fits-all cap but has an adjustable strap in the back. This hat is affordably priced at $25

Who Is Banks Journal For? 

Banks Journal Review

So far, this Banks Journal review has provided lots of info about the company. But now let’s find out who would get the most out of this minimalist brand with a surfer aesthetic.

Based on the content above, Banks Journal would be most appropriate for the following customers:

  1. You’re obsessed with Japanese minimalist design and want your clothing to reflect that. The brand certainly stays true to its roots and provides exceptionally thoughtful designs on all its garments 
  2. You’re looking for a sustainable menswear clothing brand that’s committed to leaving a small eco-footprint. In our Banks Journal review, we found that this company is covering most of its bases when it comes to making environmentally friendly clothing, and is committed to learning more about sustainable practices 
  3. You want clothing that can keep up with your active lifestyle. More than just being fashionable, Banks Journal does a great job at adding functional features to their clothes

As you can see, this Banks Journal review discovered that the brand is suitable for a lot of people, and best of all, it’s super affordable!

Is Banks Journal Sustainable? 

Banks Journal Review

Our Banks Journal review found that the brand is fully committed to environmental sustainability—which isn’t a big surprise since they claim to love the beach so much.

This is shown by their use of 100% organic cotton for most of their T-shirts and in their fleece collection. They also use PVC and phthalate-free inks with all their screen-printed clothes. 

One thing stands out about their clothes: the polyester for the brand’s woven labels are created from repurposed soda bottles! Alongside this, they also use Forest Stewardship Council approved paper for all their swing tags and catalogs.

At the end of the day, the brand admits to not being perfect when it comes to sustainability, but they’re also working hard to improve the way they produce everything they create so that it’s more eco-friendly. To us, that seems like a pretty genuine commitment. 

Banks Journal Reviews: What Do Customers Think?

Banks Journal Review

You’ve already heard from us in this Banks Journal review, now let’s see what the customers have to say about the brand! On the company’s website, we checked out some consumer reviews of some best selling products.

Let’s begin with the Compass Faded Tee Shirt. Many people, such as the following customer, favored the cut and coziness of the shirt:

“I’m beyond satisfied. So comfortable of a shirt. That’s it’s become my favourite staple shirt. It’s soft and pretty much goes with any attire.”

Another shopper mentioned that while the shirt was amazing overall, it fit a tad too long on him (which may be a concern if you have a shorter frame): 

“Great quality and fit on my upper body. A bit long for my taste, if you’re 5’5″ like me, but I’m really enjoying the shirt. Will continue using and buying!”

The Banks Journal walkshorts received acclaim for being super lightweight and comfy— so much so that it hardly feels like they’re there? This customer explains it best:

“17” is the perfect length. Nice lightweight material with a little stretch makes these shorts amazing. It’s like your just wearing boxers around town.”

The Big Bear Walkshorts received similar praise for being extremely comfortable: 

“The fabric is super soft and the fit is perfect. Never stop making these shorts and keep coming out with the best color palette anywhere!”

And finally, how do the Banks Journal hats stand up to the brand’s clothes? Based on our research, pretty dang well! One customer loved the Banks Journal beanie, noting its exceptional fit and stellar color options. 

“This beanie has an amazing fit and feel is really top quality. I’ll be buying more colors!”

We had a hard time finding any negative feedback in this Banks Journal review, aside from a few minor sizing issues if you’re on the shorter height end of the spectrum. Thankfully, the website offers a helpful measurement guide to ensure you’re getting the perfect fit, so be sure to check that out before purchasing.

Is Banks Journal Worth It?

Banks Journal Review

Now we’ve reached a critical moment in our Banks Journal review: it’s time to weigh the pros against the cons to see if the brand’s products are actually worth buying.

Honestly, we couldn’t really find any cons associated with this brand! Not only is their clothing super unique and in style, but the affordable prices also sweeten the deal.

Many other streetwear brands list their clothing at exorbitant prices, but Banks Journal is on par with lots of other affordable retailers. Yet at the same time they offer unparalleled quality!

Consider this: the price of a T-shirt from a common retailer is around the same as a Banks Journal T-shirt. Except that with the latter brand you’ll get a 100% organic cotton garment, and a high-quality promise from a sustainable company

Aside from their super reasonable prices, Banks Journal’s designs are also very tasteful. The brand has really figured out what its aesthetic is and has created every piece based around this vision, offering numerous well-thought-out designs. To cut to the chase, their clothes are the epitome of cool.

So considering all these factors, we would have to say that Banks Journal is definitely worth it!

Banks Journal Promotions & Discounts 

Banks Journal Review

Banks Journal is currently offering a promotion on their website: if you sign up for their text thread (like an email newsletter but cooler!), you’ll get 15% off your next purchase.

Simply head over to their website, click the banner at the top of the page, input your phone number, and subscribe to save.

Where to Buy Banks Journal 

Banks Journal Review

You can buy Banks Journal apparel from their website: banksjournal.com. You can also purchase the brand at their brick-and-mortar store in Los Angeles. 

FAQ

Banks Journal Review

Who owns Banks Journal?

Banks Journal is owned by Masa Shibahara, Motoo Noda, Tim Cochran, and Rama McCabe. The team of four also collectively founded the company. 

Where Banks Journal products are made?

Their products are made in China and Japan in ethical factories, which mirrors the brand’s commitment to sustainability. 

What is Banks Journal’s Shipping Policy?

Banks Journal has the following shipping policy for the United States:

  • Complimentary standard shipping for orders over $150
  • For orders under $150, they offer UPS Ground and UPS Next Day Air shipping (rates vary depending on the destination and weight)
  • Processing Time:  2-3 business days (excluding weekends and holidays)
  • Delivery time is calculated once your order has been shipped from their warehouse

Their international shipping policy is outlined below: 

  • Free shipping on orders over $150 in many countries (mostly in the Northern Hemisphere)
  • Shipping rates are based on product weight and destination country, and they’re automatically updated by their partners at Border Guru
  • The shipping fees conveniently include all import duties and charges, so there will be no surprise costs once the package hits your doorstep

What is Banks Journal’s Return Policy?

Banks Journal offers a 14-day return policy with these conditions:

  • Items must not be worn, altered, damaged, or washed
  • Products must have the tags attached 
  • The returned item must include the original packing slip with the order number, and customer name clearly printed on it
  • They do not provide return shipping labels, but if you purchase Kover Return Assurance then the shipping label is provided for free

How to Contact Banks Journal

You can contact the Banks Journal customer service team in two ways: 


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