Dappered

Affordable Men's Style

  • Don’t Miss Anything
  • Start Here
  • Essentials Shop
  • Latest Deals
  • Style Scenarios
  • Reviews

J. Crew vs. GAP – Store Wars Rd. #1

March 18, 2014 By Joe | Heads up: Buying via our links results in us getting a commission (not always, but just about), which helps keep the lights on around here. We also take your privacy rights seriously. Head here to learn more.

STORE WARS: J. Crew vs. GAP

Store Wars 2014 Bracket SmallStarting March 18th and running through April 7th, Dappered.com is hosting a bracket based tournament with the purpose of eventually crowning the all around Affordable Men’s Style Retail Champ for 2014.  For a full introduction see this post. The bracket on the right will be updated as the tournament progresses. Click on it for the full size. Make a case for your preferred competitor in the comments section, but don’t forget to vote at the bottom of each match up. On with today’s showdown:

jcrew 1

Strengths: The defending champ, and probably the odds on favorite to repeat. Has been one of the top leaders in men’s style for the past few years. Blazer & suit construction is terrific, with substantial chest pieces and canvassing. Many of their suit jackets, blazers, and even sweaters come in high quality fabrics sourced from English or Italian mills. Non functioning buttons at their jacket cuffs make for easy tailoring. Cuts are already modern, but they make an even trimmer “slim” cut in many styles. Sales & codes seem to now be pretty plentiful, and if you’re good at playing the game, you can land high quality goods for a very fair price. Some of their in house shoe offerings are made in Italy and/or have stitched (sometimes Goodyear) soles. Their 3rd party “in good company” offerings showcase brands outside of their own corporate umbrella. On trend but doesn’t veer into crazy-town that often.

Weaknesses: Prices sure seem to be going up. Suits are real pricey compared to competitors like Suitsupply. Basics like shirts and sweaters can be crazy expensive… ($88 for a dress shirt that doesn’t even come in neck & sleeve sizes?) until they go on sale and an extra % off code gets posted. Leather goods can feel flimsy. Their watches are awfully expensive for being quartz. They killed off the plain, but still sharp-as-hell Super 130s Ludlow Navy blazer. And as much as some like their Ludlow suit jacket/blazer/sportcoat design, it might be time to widen those 2.5″ lapels a bit, and extend the jacket tail some too. At least on the suit jackets.

 

gap 4

Strengths: Reliable. Casual. Can sometimes hit a home run with a cotton blazer or a pair of 5-pocket pants. Accessible by just about everyone. Some seem to like their affordable-for-most selvage jeans. Their basic leather belts in brown and black are an incredible value for a casual/smart-casual belt. Codes are plentiful, and stuff can get dirt cheap if you’re patient. Free shipping from their website kicks in at $50, and you can supplement your GAP cart with stuff from BR and Old Navy to get there.

Weaknesses: Predictable to the point of boring. Seems like a place that you’ll often walk into, around in, then back out without seeing anything that interesting. Blazers & sportcoats can sometimes suffer from chopped-in-the-tail/too-long-in-the-arms syndrome. Their 100% cotton sweaters can sometimes feel flimsy. The annual collaboration collection with GQ seems to disappoint.

Your votes determine who goes on to the next round.  Cast your ballot below.  Voting closes at midnight ET.

Store Wars: J. Crew vs. GAP

  • J. Crew (86%, 2,581 Votes)
  • GAP (14%, 429 Votes)

Total Voters: 3,009

Loading ... Loading ...

Filed Under: Clothing Tagged With: Gap, J. Crew, Store Wars 2014

Continue the Conversation …

Want to share your thoughts on this article? Send us a tweet, join the discussion on Facebook, or hit us up on Instagram!

Don’t Miss Anything

Subscribe via email to get articles in your inbox or add Dappered on Flipboard. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or subscribe to push notifications to get alerts immediately.

New Here?

Well, welcome to Dappered. Here are what we consider the most useful posts on the site if you're looking to put a little more effort into your appearance. Just want to see our favorite menswear products? Shop our essentials here.

Long Weekend Men’s Sales Roundup – 2023 Unofficial Start of Summer Edition

Long Weekend Men’s Sales Roundup – 2023 Unofficial Start of Summer Edition

25% off Bonobos. Target 20% off select (including a polopalooza winner.) 30% off BR. Grant Stone, Rhone, adidas, and $248 off the Billy Reid Bond Peacoat. Updated for the weekend.

J. Crew: 40% off Long Weekend Sale (new arrivals too)

J. Crew: 40% off Long Weekend Sale (new arrivals too)

Stretch chino shorts. Irish linen shirts. New sunglasses, camp mocs, seersucker short sleeve button downs, and more.

Repair, Don’t Replace – Getting Your Goodyear Welted Shoes Resoled

Repair, Don’t Replace – Getting Your Goodyear Welted Shoes Resoled

What’s worth it, when to do it, and what to expect when you’re getting your welted shoes fixed, recrafted, etc.

Follow Dappered on Instagram »

Men’s Fashion or Affordable Style?

Men's Fashion or Affordable Style?

Fashion is temporary and expensive. Style is timeless and affordable. Dappered® helps you work the retail system so that you can be comfortable, look sharp, and save money.

Want to share a great product? Email Us.
For a fit perspective, see Joe's measurements.
Make sure to read our affiliate disclosure.

CONNECT WITH DAPPERED

Thanks! Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Most Popular on Dappered

  • Long Weekend Men’s Sales Roundup – 2023 Unofficial Start of Summer Edition
  • J. Crew: 40% off Long Weekend Sale (new arrivals too)
  • Monday Men’s Sales Tripod – REI Anniversary Sale, Gustin’s CXL Briefcase, & More
  • Repair, Don’t Replace – Getting Your Goodyear Welted Shoes Resoled
  • The Dappered Space: Most Wanted Affordable Home Style May 2023
  • The Best Affordable Watches for Grads or Dads of 2023

Popular Topics

  • Best dress shirts to own
  • Best looking watches under $100
  • Best men’s dress shoes under $200
  • Nike Killshot sneaker alternatives
  • How to wear a suit without a tie
  • Suitsupply store review
  • Suitsupply Blue Line review
  • J. Crew Factory Thompson suit review
  • How much does it cost to tailor a suit?
  • Dopp kit essentials
  • Brown shoes with gray pants
  • Men’s style buying guide

Copyright © 2023 Dappered.com | Dappered, LLC | Dappered® is a registered trademark of Dappered, LLC

Hat tip: Magazine Pro Theme On Genesis Framework

Dappered does not collect or sell its users personal information | Disclosures: Privacy and Affiliates, Gilt.com, FTC

WPE

We work with partners that use cookies to understand how visitors use our site. Find out more.