86% matchSaturdays NYC
Minimal surf basics with the same elevated print sensibility
What changes: Urban New York styling, less boardshort-technical
Brand profile
Banks Journal
Japanese-Australian surf label founded in Byron Bay in 2014; it shut down in October 2023 and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Byron BayOrigin
MenswearFocus
Minimalist / ContemporaryStyle
$$Price
15 brands like Banks Journal like Saturdays NYC, Assembly Label, Roark Revival →
What to know about Banks Journal
The label no longer trades
Banks Journal stopped trading in October 2023 and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy days later, so anything you find is leftover stock or resale.
Surf clothes without loud surf graphics
Founded in Byron Bay in 2014, it built boardshorts, woven shirts, tees and knitwear around muted, art-led prints rather than big-logo surfwear.
Japanese ownership kept stock moving
Japanese parent Jamgle Jam Japan holds the local trademark and sold remaining inventory through its Port of Call stores into 2024.
How Banks Journal fits
Overall fit
true to size
Shoppers generally reported Banks Journal pieces running close to true to size with an easy, relaxed surf-lifestyle cut rather than a slim one, with cotton tees prone to a little shrinkage after washing.
Tip: Take your usual size for a relaxed surf fit, and size down only if you want tees and camp shirts to sit closer to the body.
Low confidence · based on 6 sources
By category
| Category | Runs | Shape | Size advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoodies & sweatshirts | true to size | regular to relaxed, standard casual fleece cut | Take your usual size; size up only for a deliberately oversized look. |
| Shirts & overshirts | slightly large | relaxed camp-collar and resort cuts with a full body | Consider sizing down if you don't want the very open, breezy resort-shirt drape. |
| Trousers & pants | true to size | relaxed, easy leg with elastic or drawcord waists on many styles | Order your normal waist size, as most styles have some built-in give. |
| Jackets | true to size | regular, lightweight coach and chore-style silhouettes | Usual size works over a tee; size up if you plan to layer over knitwear. |
| T-shirts & graphic tees | true to size | slightly boxy, relaxed through the chest with a wider sleeve | Stick with your normal size and wash cold to limit shrinkage; size up if you prefer a longer, draped body. |
Directional fit consensus summarized from public sources with AI — a starting point, not a guarantee. Confirm with the product's own measurements before buying.
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Banks Journal fit questions
Does Banks Journal run big or small?
Banks Journal fits true to size. Take your usual size for a relaxed surf fit, and size down only if you want tees and camp shirts to sit closer to the body. Shoppers generally reported Banks Journal pieces running close to true to size with an easy, relaxed surf-lifestyle cut rather than a slim one, with cotton tees prone to a little shrinkage after washing.
How does Banks Journal fit?
Shoppers generally reported Banks Journal pieces running close to true to size with an easy, relaxed surf-lifestyle cut rather than a slim one, with cotton tees prone to a little shrinkage after washing. Overall shape: relaxed, surf-casual cut with a slightly boxy body through the chest.
How do Banks Journal hoodies & sweatshirts fit?
Banks Journal hoodies & sweatshirts fits true to size. Take your usual size; size up only for a deliberately oversized look. Shape: regular to relaxed, standard casual fleece cut.
How do Banks Journal shirts & overshirts fit?
Banks Journal shirts & overshirts fits slightly large. Consider sizing down if you don't want the very open, breezy resort-shirt drape. Shape: relaxed camp-collar and resort cuts with a full body.
How do Banks Journal trousers & pants fit?
Banks Journal trousers & pants fits true to size. Order your normal waist size, as most styles have some built-in give. Shape: relaxed, easy leg with elastic or drawcord waists on many styles.
Brand facts
Banks Journal was a Japanese-Australian surf and lifestyle label founded in 2014 in Byron Bay by Rama McCabe, Motoo Noda and Tim Cochran. It built its range around boardshorts, printed woven shirts, tees, knitwear and outerwear in muted, art-driven prints, with a sustainability-minded design approach and a store at ROW DTLA in Los Angeles. The company abruptly ceased trading in October 2023 and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy days later. Japanese parent Jamgle Jam Japan, which holds the local trademark, sold remaining stock via its Port of Call chain into 2024.
- Founded
- 2014
- Origin
- Byron Bay, Australia
- Made in
- China, Japan
- Price
- $$
- Focus
- Menswear
- Facts checked
- September 2026
- Styles
- Minimalist / Contemporary, Streetwear, Workwear / Heritage