STORE WARS: J. Crew vs. GAP
Starting 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:
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.
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
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Sucks because I had to vote jcrew even though I barely shop there but I never shop at gap so by default……
I like J. Crew’s clothes, but since this is store wars for “affordable men’s style” I voted for GAP. I prefer the overall style of J. Crew, but feel that they have priced themselves out of the affordable category. I literally laugh out loud at some of the prices they charge sometimes. Sure, you can get some of their stuff for good deals if you wait until one or two occasions each year, also have an obscure code from the depths of the web, are an odd size, and remember to order on a Tuesday. But waiting on the stars to align to get a good deal on J. Crew doesn’t make it affordable in my mind. It also makes it a pain, because I find it frustrating to like something in their store only to not be able to justify the money for it.
GAP, on the other hand, is certainly more blah overall. I haven’t bought anything at GAP in years. But I know when I walk in there that if I do see something I like, it will be of fairly good quality and will probably be a reasonable price. I appreciate that, because they aren’t trying too hard. And these days, J. Crew is.
GAP has votes? Obscene.
For me, J. Crew tends not to have enough of the kind of in-store deals that I would like. Online, however, I have found some amazing deals on ludlows. And despite the narrowed lapels and short tails, they are still my odds to win favorite because of those deals and the quality that you get.
Having to wait for those deals has saved me a lot of money. I can’t imagine how much I would have spent if they priced the items the way that they do during a good sale. I’d be in the poor house for sure. LOL!
Somewhat off topic, but does no one else find the Ludlow suit jacket tail length spot on? I have the sleeves taken up approximately 1/2″ to show a 1/4″ linen, which would make me think that my arms aren’t too long for my torso. The cupped hand test always works out and the jacket tail covers my butt. This is the 4th or 5th time in recent weeks that I’ve come across the comment that the Ludlow tails were chopped. Thoughts? Thanks in advance.
Ha! I don’t doubt it. J. Crew is probably my favorite of the mall-type stores, and their style is (usually) in line with what I like. I just don’t think they fall into the affordable category these days.
How tall are you and what size do you wear? I also find them to fit perfectly and I get a 40l and I’m 6′ 1″
For me the tails are fine as well. Compared to a few pieces I have gotten from other vendors, like Bonobos, I’d say that J. Crew is pretty conservative in the tail length. And I am 6’2 170lbs. Wearing a 40R most times.
I get where you are coming from on price, but you said it yourself, you haven’t bought anything at GAP in years. It is store wars for “affordable men’s style” not store wars for “most affordable” and you do need to factor in the “men’s style” part by giving J. Crew it’s props for having clothes that you would actually wear.
J.Crew’s prices are really driving me nuts lately, but I just don’t often find anything I want at GAP, and when I do, it’s an Ultra-Staple, like belts or grey sweaters. Going with JC because it’s more my taste and it has a wider variety.
I like ’em, too, but I generally don’t mind shorter tails- which will probably bite me in the ass within 5 years.
Had to go with the Gap…I can not find anything that fits at J.Crew. I am 6’4 240 with an athletic build. J.Crew doesnt carry 48L in store or online. At the Gap, I can atleast find a blazer or pants and have it tailored.
I voted for Gap because J.Crew’s UK store is far too expensive. The casual shirts start at £82 here ($136). The Ludlow sport coats start at $497.
I don’t think they’re too cropped either and I’m on the opposite end of the spectrum of the other guys commenting. I’m really short and the tail length is just about perfect for me.
+1 here. While I love Gap’s staples ($19 merino or cashmere sweaters, anyone?), a lot of their stuff isn’t terribly exciting. J Crew has the opposite problem – tons of great things, but most are too expensive. I chose JC for the better quality items, living on a prayer for coupons and clearance sales.
I voted for J Crew, but this first round match up is like pitting Florida against Michigan St. in the first round, while a bunch of bubble teams get the benefit of playing in their own region.
I had to go with Gap. IMO, J. Crew’s stuff under $100 isn’t that much better than what the competition offers. Their casual shirts and chinos are fine but not worth the premium. Over $100 and their stuff really shines but I can’t afford much of that.
Gap, I know that their stuff is going to be wearable and well-made and (with their ubiquitous 35-40% off sales) priced right. Gap really picked up in the past few years. Their OCBD’s are really strong, their jeans are great and I like that they have pants for just about every size and body shape.
I know Gap won’t win this but I really think they should
I voted for J Crew. I agree with others that J Crew’s prices can be rough at times, but I’ve found that as long as I’m patient, they will either run a discount code or put the items I like into the sale section (and if I’m lucky both), which then brings some great pieces of clothing down to a very reasonable dollar amount.
This was no contest for me. More than half of my many style purchases in the last few months have been from J. Crew… I’ve never purchased anything from GAP (though, I’ll probably pick up that belt in black and brown). J. Crew’s quality is good and they seem to have a sale every month with at least one item that I want.
I never shop at either store, but voted for J Crew because I may, someday, but something from them.
I agree, jacket tails seem to be of moderate to conservative length in comparison to other brands rights now.
J Crew – for overall quality to price ratio. You do have to spend some time and play the sales game, however, they just carry a lot more in terms of selection vs. Gap. I do like Gap for essentials and jeans though.
Tough draw for Gap, but the summary gets it right. I hardly ever walk into a Gap and see something I just have to have.
Even if I hadn’t recently been turning to GAP for my basics (merino sweaters this winter were better than BR IMO), I’d still vote for GAP over J. Crew. I just can’t afford anything from the regular J. Crew, with or without codes and sales. I do think their clothes often look fantastic, but that’s just irrelevant to me when a wool suit is near $500 after coupons and before tailoring.
I’m going J.Crew just for fit reasons…besides slim fit Chinos, I have a hard time finding anything truly slim at Gap. Maybe it’s just me.
Gap chinos are where it’s at, though, for a comfy, more casual option that will look just as good with a tie as a tee shirt.
Yeah GAP definitely got the demolished this round.
I had to vote for GAP *because* of its reliable basics (jeans I can usually get for under $50, no-logo essentials, etc.). If it wasn’t for GAP, I’m not sure where I would go for all the basics at middle of the road prices for middle of the road quality. I literally own nothing from a J. Crew. If I look at their prices, I spend a tad bit more and go higher end…or I spend a tad bit less and get what I feel is a bargain.
My friend has the Ludlow blazer that’s not available anymore, and it is easily one of the best looking sportcoats I’ve ever seen. Even put up against all my Suitsupply suits. But other than that, I know this will sound like I’m a complete idiot, but I don’t really see what the big deal about J. Crew is all about.
On top of that, since this is the “mall staple” category, I have to say customer service should factor in and at my local mall I don’t get any help when I go into a J. Crew, and it feels like they don’t know that much about specifics. GAP I don’t need any help (this is a t-shirt, how to use it isn’t so much of a concern).
J. Crew’s $150 free shipping threshold is high compared to its competitors. Free return shipping would help, too. I never end up buying from them because I don’t want the extra errand of a trip to the mall if something doesn’t fit. Meanwhile, I end up buying lots of Bonobos and BR because free return shipping creates no fear.
gap is too casual and leisurely and lacks versatility. jcrew has some solid pieces, although do wait until a good promotion to buy it. i also wish the fit on some jcrew stuff can be better.
Gotta vote Gap. As a Gentleman of Height, they’re the most reliable way to get clothes long enough for my frame.
J Crew is on sale ALL THE TIME. Their prices are an anchor to set themselves apart as an upmarket brand, but who tf ever pays retail there?
JCrew is just outrageously expensive, even on sale. It’s BB prices without quality and style.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLvGM9mZGuo
Without quality and style? May I ask what items you have purchased recently?
J.Crew is more contemporary. Brooks Brothers is more classic.
I have some great items from Gap (shawl cardigan) but they do have some quality issues. Overall, Jcrew has more items that appeal to me.
Prices are more expensive but I have not had any issues with quality. I love the fact that they run sales quite often now.
I’m in the same boat as you. For the time being, I gave up trying to purchase pants from Gap ( too inconsistent in sizes).
Gaps quality has gone downhill, it is now the new old navy or maybe even less than that. With that, the price has also increased. J Crew is more expensive, but when on sale is a great deal. I don’t really care for Gap, even when it is on sale. I just feels like very cheap china produced junk to me. though J Crew is also made in china, it does feel like they use better fabrics.
I’m not sure if this is well known but It’s worth mentioning. You can get anything from J.Crew shipped free by using the red phone they have at their brick and mortar stores. Obviously this only helps if you have a store close by and they don’t already have what you want in stock. But it should be taken into consideration.
Also, there is always a manager on staff that can authorize price adjustments. If it’s on sale online most of the time they will adjust the price in store. Just ask. I wouldn’t abuse these policies but I think its little things like these that set them above the other mall brands.
Thanks for the great feedback, fellas! @Shailesh I’m 5’9″ and wear a 36R. If I remember correctly, the JC style fit says the S is 1.5″ shorter, which would concern me if in the future the tail length was made longer not my 1.5″, i.e. the R length does not become the S length.