Monday, October 4, 2010

Texture And Mild Disappointment

For a while Gap was getting some serious play around these parts.  Patrick Robinson had taken over as Head Designer and was leading an admirable mall store revival reminiscent of J. Crew or Martin + Osa.  While "buy better, buy less" was always the mantra, not everyone could spend upwards of $150 on a single item.  Not to mention, Gap was slowly becoming a place where you could actually start buying "better".  Somewhere along the way Gap started being, well, Gap again.  New items were less "classic" and the good stuff, often seen in the pages of major magazines, wasn't making it into production or their American stores (read: duffel coats, Cowichan sweaters).  It was a shame, but I don't think anyone was losing sleep over it.  As of right now there are only a handful of new F/W 2010 items I would even consider buying from Gap.  One of which is their new textured shawl collar cardigan.  The 80% lambswool sweater is interesting thanks to its use of, you guessed it, texture.  I saw this sweater in person and was impressed with the waffle thermal like body and the overall fit.  Gap's knits have always fit me better than J. Crew's (higher armholes, etc.) so if you find yourself in a similar boat this may be something you want to check out.  I should also note that you'll probably be able to fit into two sizes, so depending on the look you're going for you may want to try this on in store if possible.  Also, if the pricepoint is a little to rich for your blood, this being a Gap sweater and all, you probably want to wait until this goes on sale in, say, a couple months - they always do.


-L.A.S

10 comments:

  1. 30% off today and tomorrow online only

    ReplyDelete
  2. echo on what peter said. I recall ll bean sig having a nice shawl collar joint similar to this one, but its no longer in their sale section. Fail.
    Thanks for the heads up on this one, lawrence.

    ReplyDelete
  3. If you can't afford a sweater that costs $69.50 you are doing something wrong.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Having $70 to spend on a sweater and throwing $70 at Gap for a sweater are two different things.

    That's a low price for a good sweater that looks decent, but to me Gap = disposable.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Telling people that they should have 70$ for a sweater, on top of the fact that you use an anon handle, is worse.

    ReplyDelete
  6. "For a while Gap was getting some serious play around these parts. Patrick Robinson had taken over as Head Designer and was leading an admirable mall store revival reminiscent of J. Crew or Martin + Osa."

    Really? M+O? You mean the store that AE had to shut down because it was bleeding in the red?

    And Gap never had any sort of revival. It's been the worst performer of its 3 major brands for the last few years now.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anon @3:21- You are speaking purely in financial terms. I was speaking in aesthetic terms, as in clothes I would actually buy. I.e. a revival of good looking, unbranded clothes.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Agreed, L.A.S.


    Gap still has the best offerings in the Gap family. While you may be disapointed that they haven't moved into J Crew's sphere as rapidly as you may have hoped, I think they're still making admirable strides.

    That duffle bag you posted a couple of months back? Dope. Their new slim-fit chinos? Mabitex-slim. Not to mention their well-received Chambray workshirts, selvedge denim and corduroy blazer.

    Let's face it. Aside from tailored clothing and actual workwear, almost everythig we buy is disposable. My J Crew red chambray isn't exactly permanent style, and I seriously doubt that I'll be wearign it two years from now.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Nice jab Rog. Go back to Wal-Mart dick cheese.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Gap is definitely the best of the three labels, sartorially speaking, no matter what the numbers say.

    ReplyDelete