7 Banks Garments We’d Actually Wear

Banks is one of the good ones, that much has always been clear to those of us who’ve been hitting keys in this realm for some time. With Christmas now behind us, it’s time to find ways to cash in any accrued non-transferables. That gift voucher your aunt had wedged in a cheap piece of folded cardboard has an expiry date, so you’d better get spending. We’re here to provide some direction, by picking seven things from Banks that we’d actually wear – a relatively straightforward assignment in the business of critiquing surf attire.

Rolls Boardshort

I was fortunate to spend some time with Jason ‘Salsa’ Salisbury recently, and these shorts are burned into my consciousness as a result. Salsa’s a Banks “comrade” (do they all get paid the same?) and his version of the surf trip involves more lentils, meditation and campfire pontificating on higher consciousness than cheap beer and suspicious tubed meat. And that’s just fine by me. After a morning of sliding on a north coast point, and a carcass-free feed, Salsa – wearing nothing but these shorts – stepped into the Eden-green garden to relieve himself in the hedge. When we started giggling he turned, unleashed one of his full-faced beardy smiles, and gave us the thumbs up without interrupting his flow. To this day, it’s the most organic thing I’ve seen. 

Change Faded Tee

I’ve worn nothing but white, black or grey t-shirts for the last ten(ish) years. Unsurprisingly, it’s getting old. I’ve toyed with the idea of buying a branded designer tee for some time – one that just says “I’m expensive and my owner’s a wanker” on the front, but it’s just a little too superfluous to justify. This tee’s awesome because it looks designer, but comes free of the unexplainable price tag. Only on close inspection would anyone realise that it says “Banks Journal” on the front instead of something Paris or Milan based, and by that stage, hasn’t the garment already done its job? Can’t say I’m wild about the “Journal” part – thought that went out with those godforsaken cross logos – but we’ll forgive it this time as it adds a nice balance to the type.

Pop Garden Trunk 

I think these are kind of hideous, but they caught my eye regardless. And perhaps that’s the point. Still, statement prints on fruity swim trunks are pretty much the only time that it’s permissible for a self-respecting man to wear something so loud, so what the heck. If you’ve avoided the pitfalls of the festive season and want to rub your model-thin rig in the face of your bloated “comrades”, then the Pop Gardens will surely do. 

Conductor Woven Shirt (Golden Deer)

Throwing a long sleeve on after a swim or a surf in summer, late in the day when the sun starts to drop, is much overlooked as one of the better aspects of the warmer months. Plenty come unprepared for the dip in temperature as someone produces an ale from a makeshift cooling device in the back of their car, but not you. Throw this “Golden Deer” (one of the best names for a colour in some time) over your black trunks and you’re a Prince among the paupers.

Atlantis Fleece Hood

I vividly remember the last hoodie that I owned. A red Insight 51 abomination with pre-drilled holes in it and a big number print on the front. We parted ways around ten years ago, and I sincerely thought that my hooded days were over. And they were, until very recently. Dressing immaculately, like anything if you do it daily, gets old. Especially at the weekend. Throwing on a hood and shuffling to the café on a Sunday to nuzzle in the corner, sip java and read the New Yorker is something I now look forward to. Hoodies aren’t just for ASBOs, and this worn-in-looking number is all an introvert looking for comfort could desire.

One Back Zip Rubber Jacket 

One of my more meaningless campaigns of the last few years is to have whoever brought the front zip wetsuit top back from the depths stripped, whipped, and run out of town. Things that were crappy, impractical and uncomfortable the first time around should be left as memories, and thankfully co’s like Banks have started sticking the zip on the back and making body-warmers like this. Special shout out to the clever dick who implemented the subtle v-neck too; not a fashion statement but a clever tweak to stop the neck flushing open when you duckdive.

Monument Ringer Tee

The dream of finding one of these things in the suddenly hip vintage store is folly. They exist, sure, but try an authentic 70s number on and you’ll soon find that tees (possibly the humans) came in very strange shapes and sizes back in the day. Luckily for those of us not into crop tops, Banks have modernized a classic for people of regular shape. A fine choice if, like I, you’ve grown tired of the white, black, grey.