Anyone else think that Gap and Banana Republic have really done down the crapper lately?

[Flaxbee]

I know their company history isn't that terrific, but I worked for Banana in La Jolla in college and the clothes were well made, and if not uber-stylish, they were classic enough to last and look good several years on (and they still had those cool t-shirts then; it was always fun to see the new crop of maps or other designs come in).

Almost all of Gap's women's shirts are polyester now. The sizing on their jeans is never consistent, and every frigging waistline is cut so low that they're basically all buttcrack pants. Either that, or 'fashionable' super-high waists that look stupid. BR's designs and fabric choices are almost consistently ugly; they make almost every goddamn woman's shirt or dress with an empire waist. I want a real waist, I don't want elastic under my boobs like I'm wearing a maternity outfit.

And even JCrew - they used to have good, clear colors and clothing with some shape to it; they have resorted to shapeless olive drab and gray clothes with feathers and sequins glued to everything.

:shrug: :wtf:

[HopeHoops]

1. No. That happened YEARS ago.

[Flaxbee]

2. lol. Well, yeah. I'm frustrated because someone gave me a BR gift card

and I'm damned if I can find anything worth buying. Piperlime, too - they have some good shoes, but unless you're familiar with the brand you're buying, it's hard to find a shoe that is comfortable. Plus almost every damn designer thinks a 3-4 inch heel is desirable.

[HopeHoops]

3. Yeah, I HATE high heels on my sneakers.

[Flaxbee]

4. :)

nt

[MorningGlow]

5. Yes

A good analysis here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1384492/Gap-used-shop-woman-relied--did-wrong.html

[Flaxbee]

6. thanks, hadn't seen that.

and also, yes - would like a link to the commentary you referenced in the Clooney post... :)

[MorningGlow]

7. I don't drink too much and don't do drugs at all, but

my absolutely shameful guilty pleasure is reading the trashy Daily Mail!

PM coming your way...

[Flaxbee]

8. I love the Daily Mail, too, in all its trashy glory

but have been so busy today I haven't had a chance to go through it!

I agree, mostly, with the article, even though BR was mentioned favorably. GAP is really lost.