If you're all about the Banana and live in the States, be happy. The company just opened its first British store on London's Regent Street, and while the fashions are what you would expect to find in any Banana Republic, the prices are another story.

The Daily Mail reports outrageous mark-ups -- in some cases close to 100% more in the British shop than in American stores. For example, a dress that costs $188 there only costs $150 here in the States (and yes, I did the currency conversion for you, no need to worry). A Flatiron baby satchel had about a 40% mark-up. The 'Doris' sunglasses that sell for $118 in the U.S. sell for $149 across the pond.

While these are definitely major mark-ups, I couldn't find the examples of 100% or more that the Daily Mail reported. Supposedly there is an "orange textured coat" with a 133% mark-up -- let me know if you find something matching that description on BR's U.S. website. The other thing to keep in mind is that the American prices don't include sales tax, whereas the British prices apparently do, and from what I understand, they have considerably higher taxes. At any rate, if you're a Brit coming over for a visit, you might do well to get your Banana fix while you're here and save some money.