SHOP = 40% off at Gap.com (expires 9/29)
They get killed every year in Store Wars. And no one is saying they’re going to mount a challenge to the favorites this year, but after a thoroughly yawn-ish spring & summer, GAP has more than a few pieces in their fall line that… might actually catch the attention of those who’d take the time to frequent a website such as this. (UPDATE: The annual GAPxGQ collection pre-sale launched today, and there are a few items that aren’t half-bad looking. Excluded from this code of course)
Good fabrics, a blazer or two worth a shot, and interestingly hued basics in the mid $30s. And the 40% off site-wide (with exclusions like jeans & cords… cripes) code SHOP is a big help. Not 40% off full priced styles or new-styles or some other qualification. 40% off, and it’s good on the (kinda small) sale section. Remember, free shipping kicks in at $50 PRE code. So if it’s over $50 before you apply the code, it’ll get to you for free. Returns are free too. Here’s a quick dozen:
“Lived in” Slim or Straight Fit Khakis – $35.97 ($59.95)
One of their staples that exceeds the price. Great color selection in the slim, decent color selection in the straight. (C’mon GAP, want those “Palomino Brown” in the straight fits!)
Cotton/Cashmere Shawl Collar Sweater – $35.97 ($59.95)
Gotta love the persistent usage of the word “cashmere” in 5% or less cashmere “cotton/cashmere” garments across the retail industry. I’m 5% Einstein, but 95% Gomer Pyle. That said, it’s a good looking cardigan, with some texture and extra thickness around the shawl. Navy or grey. One of those sweaters you gotta just have on hand around your place.
Wool/Nylon Turtleneck – $41.97 ($69.95)
Extremely well made feeling. Good sized gauge to the knit, the 55% lambswool / 45% nylon fabric has some good texture and soft feel (although somewhat scratchy), and the fit is pretty darn good. A lot of these submariner-style turtlenecks can fit like a tent (lookin’ at you Orvis). Not this one. It’s got an authenticity to it. Which is surprising, being that it’s $42. Size shown is a medium.
Slim Fit Selvedge Twill 5-Pockets – $41.99 ($89.95)
Interesting. Code won’t work on these since they appear to fall under the “premium pants” exclusion, but they’re still almost half off. And that saturated navy, with the silver hardware (button fly too) is awfully tempting. Also available in Khaki.
“Clean” Chambray Button Down – $35.97 ($59.95)
Less of a chambray work shirt, more of a just-a-shirt. Casual. Button down collar will keep it looking good under a sweater or a blazer, or with a tie (lots of chambray workshirts don’t come with collar stay slots, or button down collars). One standard chest pocket. Three colors to choose from. Slimmer fit according to the reviews.
Basic Leather Belt – $17.97 ($29.95)
Jeans, chinos, cords. Goes with it all. The belt you’ll probably wear 90% of the time when you’re not wearing a dress belt.
Lambswool Cable Crew – $35.97 ($59.95)
Another classic knit, the cable, in a lambswool crew. Quick question though: Does your friendly neighborhood affordable men’s style website editor need to go to the eye doctor? Because, what are you seeing when it comes to the “yellow” option for this sweater?
Slim Fit Tailored Birdseye Pant – $35.97 ($59.95)
Haven’t tried these slim-fit “tailored” style pants on in-person, so not sure how really slim they are. There is a review from “jeanlover” which says, well let’s see: I love the way my bum, legs, and bulge look in these jeans. The fit is so contemporary and the cut is so tailored that it shows off the goods in such a sophisticated and modern way.” … Sophisticated? Bulge?
Wool Blend Herringbone Blazer – $70.80 ($116)
Most will need some post-purchase tailoring at the sides, but it’s one of the better blazers GAP has cranked out in awhile. The tail, for once, isn’t chopped. The sleeve buttons are non-functioning (but there is some accent stitching around them), and the body is lined in a lightweight cotton chambray. A good casual blazer for the fall & winter.
1969 Indigo Striped Henley Shirt – $17.99 (49.95)
It’s a henley! It’s striped! It’s placed off center here within it’s frame to create some visual interest because it’s just a striped henley!
1969 Straight Fit Jeans (Natural Wash) – $19.99 ($69.95)
Totally out of season, but for some reason, the code works. And these are pretty much the dictionary definition of the oft-mentioned (during spring, summer, & early fall) “off white 5-pockets”.
Mixed Media Belt – $11.99 ($24.95)
The autmun’d up version of a summer belt. Already on sale. Roller-buckle style.
The 40% off at Gap.com (guess it’s not an in-store thing) code SHOP expires today, 9/29. Meanwhile, thoughts on GAP working its way back onto the radar? Did it never leave? Is it still thoroughly “mneh” for you? Leave it all below…
Is that also 40% off “what’s popular for a reason”?: http://dappered.com/2014/09/offered-without-comment-gap-coms-new-arrivals-graphic/
No. If you have to ask, you can’t afford it.
That sweater color is “big bird rolled around in goose poop” yellow.
Didn’t know where else to put this, GILT is running a 50% off (50 for $100 worth of merchandise) deal for Charles Tywhitt –
Joe if this is worth a post, feel free to delete this comment after it’s made.
Please correct me if I’m wrong, but it says can’t be combined with any offers or promotions. So I’m guessing it’s off full price stuff. CT always runs sales, so if you can use the voucher during the sale, worth it, otherwise not really. I just went with the free voucher for shirt and tie instead.
I tried on the turtleneck at my GAP the other week (when it was full priced and I wouldn’t be tempted to buy). I think I’d size down to get the sides in better. And I would highly recommend some underneath clothing, as it’s quite scratchy. Now that it’s 40% off, methinks I’ll make another visit.
Like those belts. But what would you recommend for dress belts that aren’t Allen Edmonds priced?
I’ve used those Gilt ones before and it is not off full price, but you are correct in that you cannot stack it with a code.
So if you were getting the four shirts for $200 anyway, then it’ll go for $150 (effective price) for you
Nice! Been trying to find some olive green pants to go with this outfit I’ve been trying to put together. Dockers Alpha Khakis looks like it nailed it, but only comes in 34 length (I need 36). Hopefully the color of these GAP ones will work, hard to know until you see them in person.
I’m trying slim and straight, and also threw in the tapered version. Don’t know if this is considered cheating or not, but ordering all those allows me to not only see what fits best, but puts me over the $50 mark so I qualify for free shipping…return the ones that don’t fit to a store for a refund. Just throwing that out there for anyone who needs the help.
i’m going to name my indie hipster band Sophisticated Bulge.
Usually, TJX stores (Marshalls, TJ MAXX) will have some better quality dress belts for reasonable money ~$30 or so. And in a pinch you can buy lower quality (usually reversible) dress belts for $10-15.
And if you don’t have a great eye for leather, country of origin is a very accurate (though not %100) indicator of quality. U.S., U.K., Italy, Mexico, sometimes India are places where the good stuff comes from.
I prefer to show off my goods in a classic and unsophisticated way, thankyouverymuch.
A few reviews, as I have some of these. Lived-in slim khakis are great, but they run long. I wear a 35×30 and needed to have them hemmed almost 2 inches. Fit is nice and slim and they have a little texture to them.
Birds-eye pants – fit is a true slim. Very nice but not uncomfortably tight. They actually lean a little dressier. Again, they ran long. Or I’m shrinking. I don’t know, but disconcerting, nonetheless.
So in the GapxGQ collection their is a “linen-blend T-shirt”. But the fabric is 60% cotton and 40% poly… not sure where the linen-blend is coming from. They do have a few decent looking pieces in the collection though. Might be worth picking up on discount/
I was going to go with “severely dehydrated pee.”
Make sure to end it with a question mark. Sophisticated Bulge? It adds an air of mystery and all your female groupies will want to know if it is, in fact, sophisticated.
I’m pretty much a band naming expert, so trust me on this.
just be sure to look at the belt edges pretty closely to make sure it’s made out of one solid strip of leather and not 2 or 3 absurdly thin strips bonded together.
Really hope the fit on that shawl collar sweater is decent. I’ve been looking for a reasonably priced one for the fall.
That is true of casual belts, but good dress belts are finished top grain leather on both sides, IME. Fashion being what it is, there are exceptions I’m sure, but that’s the standard.
Wool/Nylon Turtleneck – $41.97. 2 tickets to gun show – FREE.
dear god… brilliant.
Some belts (like AE) get around the issue with stitching along the length of the belt, I’ve spent a good bit of money on nicer dress belts only to have the bonding fail on me and the belt split (kind of inevitable considering the sheer stresses on each piece of leather from way the belt wraps around you). On others the edges are “rolled off” to the back or otherwise finished but they manage to be dressy and still one solid piece of leather.
I think it will be hard for Gap to make themselves relevant again. I believe that if people are willing to pay slightly more than (Old Navy,H&M), they prefer to go to Banana Republic and skip Gap completely. Those new David Fincher ads might look cool and sexy, but I find the clothing at Gap anything but.
Side note: I have a pair of Tailored Slim Fit pants from last year (in different material though), and I would call that fit very close to JCrew’s Bowery Slim, so sophisticated yes, bulge no.
Honestly, I’d rather go to Uniqlo or JCrew Factory if I’m going to get something in this particular price bracket. GAP makes decent stuff, but they’re still overpriced for what you get.
Also make sure it’s one word: SophisticatedBulge?
So they work for codeless sales they have now and then?
Sadly not. You have to use a special link that will likely not reflect the codeless sales.
It’s best for items that almost never go on sale. The tuxedo shirt, for instance
Look for the Kirkland Select dress belts at Costco. Absolutely the best dress belts you can buy for $18.
Shouldn’t it be all lower case, with terminal punctuation?
sophisticated bulge.
As far as I can tell, caps are so uncool these days. But periods are essential, especially when they’re not.
Can anyone report on the quality of Gap’s merino sweaters?
So, how are these AFTER being washed?
36L, Good lord! How tall are you?
I actually recommend anson belts.. another oft heard one is naragansett leathers although i thought it was ok…. i like anson cos of the micradjust feature which means a perfect fit plus the leather doesn’t get damaged..
GAP doesn’t fit well. its too big even the slim line. The selvege jean is NOT really straight leg . It’s more RELAXED fit.
Does anyone know how much vanity goes into the sizing of GAP jeans?
Only own the turtle neck from this list. Put it on one time, nodded my head and said…
“Yep.”
Most likely keeping it that way.
I really only like the Japanese Selvedge and the lived-in slim shows off too much around the crouch area.
They always have sales though, just have to play the waiting game.
For the basic leather belts, are should you go with your waistline or a size up?
Can’t speak for him, but I’m 6′ 6″ and wear a 36L
Equus leather (based in UK – 20% VAT off) makes great custom belts. There is almost always a 10% off code (follow on Twitter/ FB). Many different colors of leather and types of belt buckles available and you can choose color of thread. Plus they send free samples of leathers you may be interested in. I have 2 belts made from them (~$65 each with shipping – prices may have gone up though now). I also have belts from Narragansett – but the Equus belts are noticeably better in quality and finishing. If you are not in a hurry, well worth a look.
Haha…good question. I’m only 6’4″. Me and Daniel T must have the same legs, but he’s got 2″ on me in the torso.
Stores just don’t tend to carry 36 lengths (well Nordstrom sometimes does) so almost all pants shopping needs to be done online. Also, we don’t get those great J Crew Factory suit deals because the pants aren’t long enough, unless you want to show ankles at all times…which I settled for with some blue chambray pants this summer, but that’s a little different than a suit pant.
Ah yeah interesting how that works. I am 5 10 with a longer torso and short legs so a 30 works for me. even 29.75 if I’m getting them tailored.
Anyway thanks for answering, I wish you the best in finding pants!
This whole thing was rather confusing. GAP blasted an e-mail on Friday for 25% off in-store and on-line. Then when I arrived at the store on Saturday they had a sign in front indicating 40% off – so of course I checked the e-mail and found the “not to be combined” caveat. In store I also heard a clerk tell a customer to go with the 40% (for obvious reasons). And finally GAP blasted the 40% e-mail which arrived on Sunday. Me thinks GAP people are not talking to one-another. Regardless I managed to pick up a few items I’d been eyeing for a decent price.
Watch this space. I’m headed to the mall tomorrow to take a peek in at H&M and Gap’s fall offerings. I already own a Uniqlo sweater (V neck, Merino), so I’ll let you know how they compare.
The only thing I’ve ever found GAP that’s worth going back for are the merino wool sweaters. Fit great (6′, thin), not too thin (like H&M’s see-through sweaters), and retain their shape for years.
I picked up a pair of the slim fit selvedge twills in khaki (one of the recent codes did stack on the discount). Really fantastic! They’re from the 1969 line, so the slim is a shade slimmer than standard Gap slims, but they’re not grape smugglers. They are quite long. I ordered up from my standard inseam—because selvedge—and I needed three upturns on the cuff to hit the right length. Luckily, the fabric is pretty soft and it’s not too bulky that way, so I won’t bother getting them hemmed. Overall: highly recommend!