GAP - what are your opinions??

[salomelovesjohn]

Well I would prefer that the Gap sticks to basics. I don't want another H&M or Zara, frankly the last time I was in H&M almost everything had a peter pan collar - which I hate and it looks terrible on me. I haven't been in the Gap in awhile, but I still do have a jacket from there that looks great. More then I can say for some J.Crew pieces. Is it just me or does their stuff sometimes look terrible after a couple of wearings?

 

[izzie stevens]

Well I would prefer that the Gap sticks to basics. I don't want another H&M or Zara, frankly the last time I was in H&M almost everything had a peter pan collar - which I hate and it looks terrible on me. I haven't been in the Gap in awhile, but I still do have a jacket from there that looks great. More then I can say for some J.Crew pieces. Is it just me or does their stuff sometimes look terrible after a couple of wearings?

j crew's quality sucks. it's basically banana republic, but with brighter colors and less quality.

 

[kahlilg]

I used to HATE them, but they are growing on me more and more each day. I loved their current line because it finally had "flavor" but it also could appeal to the masses. I'm looking forward for some of their future pieces.

 

[kus]

never, you know, had prblem with gap. always knew they were full of sexy danger. but when it comes to pleats, watch out...

 

[kimair]

Yes, it is just you. Anything over $25 for a pair of jeans is too expensive for me!

i don't think it's just me...
not when the average price of a pair of jeans is $75+ (as quoted from the nytimes)...
i'm also a working professional and a bit older, and able to spend more than you...

i like what patrick robinson did with the fall collection...
i'm also glad to see the u.s. stores/internet are offering the european collection, which is more fashion-forward...

 

[izzie stevens]

i don't think it's just me...
not when the average price of a pair of jeans is $75+ (as quoted from the nytimes)...
i'm also a working professional and a bit older, and able to spend more than you...

i like what patrick robinson did with the fall collection...
i'm also glad to see the u.s. stores/internet are offering the european collection, which is more fashion-forward...

i agree. a good pair of jeans is way, way over $25 nowadays. all that $25 can buy you in jeans is something really rinky dinky.

 

[crow_watcher]

I'm close to 6'6" and even the Gap tall line (on-line only) barely fits me. I've shopped on-line for their tall sizes and its pathetic. A tall 36 length pants appear to be more like 34 to me. At least i'm slender to medium build and can get away with the pants being a bit short. Some think thats just the style.

 

[izzie stevens]

I'm close to 6'6" and even the Gap tall line (on-line only) barely fits me. I've shopped on-line for their tall sizes and its pathetic. A tall 36 length pants appear to be more like 34 to me. At least i'm slender to medium build and can get away with the pants being a bit short. Some think thats just the style.

if you're 6'6", it's probably hard to find clothes at any store, isn't it? i thought if someone was 6'4" and above they needed to shop at some place like big & tall.

 

[Erin]

dont get me wrong.. i have gap in my closet, random things.. but really.. gap is just old navy merc. with gap tags.

be serious.

I do not agree at all. Old Navy IS cheaper than Gap... and believe me, Gap, Inc. has those three stores for a reason. I think they are quite differentiated. I don't even like Old Navy anymore. Most of their items are ill-fitting (on me, anyway) and they never introduce good colors in some of their tops that would otherwise have a chance.

Gap is hit and miss, depending on the season. This season they have some great, ladylike items, and I'm always open to those... pretty button downs.

And if you're on a budget, Gap and their clearance racks are a good way to go.

As for Old Navy bringing in the most revenue, of course that's how it is. Banana Republic has a much smaller clientele, though they probably rack in more revenue PER customer.

 

[crow_watcher]

if you're 6'6", it's probably hard to find clothes at any store, isn't it? i thought if someone was 6'4" and above they needed to shop at some place like big & tall.

This is true. I have to shop at Big and Tall in Manhattan (New York) if want fashionable clothes. But I spoke to a Gap rep on the phone and he said their tall pants are true to size. I can assure you thats not the case. I feel they shouldn't advertise tall sizes if their not.

But I can't complain about their bags and accessories!

 

[Erin]

$100 for 2 pairs of jeans seems like a steal, but that's just me...
in that age of sevens, jet, jbrand, etc. jeans where you can't even get one pair for that price...
at least their jeans come in lengths and i don't have to get them hemmed (which saves another $10-$20)...

Lucky you that Gap jeans fit you well! They don't fit me well at all. In fact, all jeans from Gap, Inc.'s brand (ON, G, BR) don't fit me well. Too bad, because Gap came out with some awesome dark wash wideleg jeans last year that made me drool. Once again a new promising item resulted in an ill-fated visit to the fitting room.

 

[izzie stevens]

I do not agree at all. Old Navy IS cheaper than Gap... and believe me, Gap, Inc. has those three stores for a reason. I think they are quite differentiated. I don't even like Old Navy anymore. Most of their items are ill-fitting (on me, anyway) and they never introduce good colors in some of their tops that would otherwise have a chance.

Gap is hit and miss, depending on the season. This season they have some great, ladylike items, and I'm always open to those... pretty button downs.

And if you're on a budget, Gap and their clearance racks are a good way to go.

As for Old Navy bringing in the most revenue, of course that's how it is. Banana Republic has a much smaller clientele, though they probably rack in more revenue PER customer.

you'd probably be surprised to know that banana republic has more cliental than gap (adults) does! (that's not including gap kids, baby/maternity gap, or gap body.)

 

[izzie stevens]

Lucky you that Gap jeans fit you well! They don't fit me well at all. In fact, all jeans from Gap, Inc.'s brand (ON, G, BR) don't fit me well. Too bad, because Gap came out with some awesome dark wash wideleg jeans last year that made me drool. Once again a new promising item resulted in an ill-fated visit to the fitting room.

what fits you incorrectly with gap/br jeans? i might be able to help you find the right fit.

 

[izzie stevens]

This is true. I have to shop at Big and Tall in Manhattan (New York) if want fashionable clothes. But I spoke to a Gap rep on the phone and he said their tall pants are true to size. I can assure you thats not the case. I feel they shouldn't advertise tall sizes if their not.

But I can't complain about their bags and accessories!

honestly, i work for gap inc. and i do use their clothes, and their sizes at gap are LARGER than the average size, both in length and width. at banana republic, they are true to size, and at old navy... i don't know. that's the only company brand that i don't shop at. have you tried measuring the pants? you'll see that if you measure them, they really are true to size.

 

[softgrey]

has anyone seen the new vids with patrick robinson at gap.com...

that man has ZERO charisma and the model looks like he has sent her into a coma.....

i don't think the gap re-vamp is going to work with him...
esp since the BEST things on that site are the ones from the european collection which were designed under someone else's direction...
...

 

[wroxton]

j crew's quality sucks. it's basically banana republic, but with brighter colors and less quality.

I know this isn't a J.Crew thread but I had to comment. I haven't had any problems with J.Crew's quality. If anything, I have been impressed. The prices have gone up over the years and it shows in the construction.

I'm not a BR person but I will walk in because you'll never know. As for J.Crew, I have found quite a few pieces in the last year.

 

[wroxton]

has anyone seen the new vids with patrick robinson at gap.com...

that man has ZERO charisma and the model looks like he has sent her into a coma.....

i don't think the gap re-vamp is going to work with him...
esp since the BEST things on that site are the ones from the european collection which were designed under someone else's direction...
...

The videos with Patrick Robinson are pretty bad. I feel bad for the guy. I think he was nervous (at least he looks it).

 

[izzie stevens]

I know this isn't a J.Crew thread but I had to comment. I haven't had any problems with J.Crew's quality. If anything, I have been impressed. The prices have gone up over the years and it shows in the construction.

I'm not a BR person but I will walk in because you'll never know. As for J.Crew, I have found quite a few pieces in the last year.

i've always had issues with their quality. their cotton is no good, imo, and their cashmere is horrible.

 

[SirSunday]

j crew's quality sucks. it's basically banana republic, but with brighter colors and less quality.

in my experience, the reverse is true. the wool trousers, shoes, and dress shirts have diminished in quality over the last few years. they're better with the labeling though not perfect - in identifying what is or is not used in the fabric. in trying to develop more of a slim cut/euro fitting, they've skimped on material and durability. the dress shirts are at best 70-threadcount, though this doesn't feel right... j.crew has dress shirts in the 100-threadcount, and has better seams and features along the side hem and back yoke. br shirts fade after one or two washings, the trousers are more cotton than wool...and the accessories?! all of their stuff should say "shetland" - it's too coarse to be cashmere - and "silk" feels more like lycra. the jackets and coats have non-functional buttons and pockets even if you wanted to open them, the lining is paltry. yet there are still people who go 'ga-ga' when it's 30% off.

when banana maintained it's luxe line, i didn't have as many complaints... at least j.crew has continued to partner with other clothiers (ermenegildo zegna and loro piana) on some of their exclusive items.

in a testament to durability, i still have several j. crew shirts perfect as the day i purchased them, some as old as 4 years, still in rotation. i have to donate the br stuff because it's faded and frayed less than a year after purchase - my br wardrobe is nearly non-existent now.

 

[izzie stevens]

in my experience, the reverse is true. the wool trousers, shoes, and dress shirts have diminished in quality over the last few years. they're better with the labeling though not perfect - in identifying what is or is not used in the fabric. in trying to develop more of a slim cut/euro fitting, they've skimped on material and durability. the dress shirts are at best 70-threadcount, though this doesn't feel right... j.crew has dress shirts in the 100-threadcount, and has better seams and features along the side hem and back yoke. br shirts fade after one or two washings, the trousers are more cotton than wool...and the accessories?! all of their stuff should say "shetland" - it's too coarse to be cashmere - and "silk" feels more like lycra. the jackets and coats have non-functional buttons and pockets even if you wanted to open them, the lining is paltry. yet there are still people who go 'ga-ga' when it's 30% off.

when banana maintained it's luxe line, i didn't have as many complaints... at least j.crew has continued to partner with other clothiers (ermenegildo zegna and loro piana) on some of their exclusive items.

in a testament to durability, i still have several j. crew shirts perfect as the day i purchased them, some as old as 4 years, still in rotation. i have to donate the br stuff because it's faded and frayed less than a year after purchase - my br wardrobe is nearly non-existent now.

you're actually the first person who i have ever heard say that they have clothing from j. crew that is more durable than br's. i myself have sweaters, tanks, pants, etc., etc. from br that are many years old while my j. crew stuff is raggedy looking already and will soon become hand me downs.

i don't know what to say, then. i guess i agree to disagree with you.