Into the Gap

If someone had told me last year that I'd be writing this post I would have said you're high on drugs, honey. Really, I say that. It's one of my over-used phrases that's been in high-rotation since the '80s.

Which, btw, was the last time The Gap did something interesting, IMO.

OK, not fair or true. I know. But I've had a real blah-on for this conglomerate (who'd call it fashion house?) for quite some time.

Brief history of K at the Gap:

c. 1980: I remember checking out a boutique version at some big department store (I think it was Bloomingdale's) while visiting family in NY. It was Ts and sweatshirts all the way. With the old time logo. I thought it was the bomb but my mother said it was sloppy so we didn't buy.

c.1990: It opened on Bloor Street in TO. They did some great boyfriend jeans.

c. 1997: I remember going to Gap during many lunch hours with my great friend Jennifer (who, btw, has just moved into a new, gorgeous house and whom I've been thinking of for weeks. Jen, I'm going to call you...). I think J would agree that it was the place then. I remember buying some very good high-waisted grey wool pants (v. Hepburn) I wore into the ground. They did some super blazers and jackets. The white blouse, of course, is ubiquitous still now.

c. 2002: The cannibal days when Banana and Old Navy cut into the market every which way. Let me clarify, I do like Banana Republic - when on sale, mostly - but I loathe Old Navy. Gap does everything at the same price (esp. when on sale) and the kids stuff at ON sucks. I don't really understand the point of all three of them. Don't suppose anyone does - esp. not the market pundits. Does the term "refocus" mean anything??

c.2008: I read that Mr. Patrick Robinson joined as VP Design and I thought "If anything can save this ailing behemoth in the era of H&M, TopShop, Zara and La Redoute, it's Mr. American Sportswear with an Edge himself." I really thought those exact words.

So I walked in there last week and, to my pleasure and surprise can report they've got some great basics at some great prices. And they are basics with a bit of modernity (but, which still retain the American chic on which the brand has prided itself (rightly or wrongly) these many years).

While it's not, perhaps, so smart to show the ad followed by a mediocre photo of oneself, you know how I like to live on the edge... Here are some pro-shot, tall-heeled trouser jeans I just bought at the Gap:


And here' they are on a, ahem, short, real girl wearing flats: