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Original poster

Didn't Gap used to be much much nicer?

27 replies

TwoInTheMourning · 09/12/2014 19:30

I've always been a fan of Gap, always found stuff I liked, always found some inspiration in their shops.... But now it looks very much like a jumble sale, clothes are cheap and get misshapen quickly, the sizes are all over the place and the quality just isn't there. This time of year I usually yearn for their colourful festive knitwear and accessories but this year... meh

Is it just that I'm older and need better quality better fitting clothes or is Gap going down the pan?

OP posts:
Lizziemae · 09/12/2014 20:14

I agree about the quality. In the summer I ordered some t shirts by mail order. They were expensive but the quality was horrible - very thin fabric. Even Primark cheapies have better fabric than these. I was very surprised because when I've bought from Gap before the quality has been good and worth the money.

grumblepuss · 09/12/2014 20:16

Yes.
It also used to have a bit of style to it, now it's all really dull.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 09/12/2014 20:52

I rarely go in there now. It looks, as you say, like a jumble sale and the quality is awful.

CatCushion · 09/12/2014 20:57

Yes. I used to yearn to buy Gap clothes when I was young and poor. Now I can afford to shop there I don't want to.

treaclesoda · 09/12/2014 21:07

Quality definitely isn't what it used to be. My T shirts from there in recent times have all twisted at the seams. I quite like the clothes though, as I like quite plain styles.

My husband shops there a lot though and the quality of the mens clothes seems far better than the women's.

Petallic · 09/12/2014 21:14

I bought DC some clothes this week from Gap - first purchase in years from them and I'm very disappointed with the quality and finish. Maybe because Gap are always running 30% discount offers these days, their clothes are now 30% lower in quality also. Had I paid the full £23 for toddler dungarees I would be sending them straight back.

DaMoves · 09/12/2014 21:24

Men's gap is still great but woman's gap gas been trashy for about 3 years. Such a shame, I used to get lovely stuff there.

Madaboutthrows · 09/12/2014 21:24

I got some nice thick long sleeved ts that so far are fab and really cheap at £3.99. They are good IMO for basics

homebythesea · 09/12/2014 22:47

It used to be the place you could go for plain layering items. I went in the other day for a cotton polo neck. They don't do them any more. Uniqlo is where to go for plain stuff like that. However I do like their cotton knitwear and shirts and they do have frequent 30% off vouchers so not all bad!

southeastastra · 09/12/2014 23:03

better stuff online shops are hit and miss

RojaGato · 09/12/2014 23:52

Agree with the online thing- much nicer stuff there than shops. Pretty hit or miss now on quality. Still sometimes like some of their summer things like fold down jersey maxi dresses (especially at voucher or sale prices) but you really have to sift now. Stuff is not up to winter use at all.

SwedishEdith · 09/12/2014 23:56

It has peaks and troughs but I think it always has. Totally depends when you go in. But the 40% off everything offer they had today was useful for Xmas stuff.

SchnitzelVonKrumm · 09/12/2014 23:58

I used to buy loads from Gap but haven't been tempted at all this season despite sequential 30/40% discounts.

plentyofshoes · 10/12/2014 00:48

I only buy jeans from there now, their style has always suited me best.

Madaboutthrows · 10/12/2014 22:40

The jumper I bought from there is also fab

queenbrunhilda · 10/12/2014 23:03

No, it's not you. Used to live in their stuff but since cotton prices shot up their quality seems to have collapsed (guess they've had to cut corners to keep prices down?). I went in recently and lots of the stuff looked creased and misshapen on the rails.

Bearleigh · 11/12/2014 03:44

Generally I agree too. It was always hit & miss style-wise, in that sometimes it had good-quality but rather dull, basics, but sometimes it was a source of some fantastic things. But now, as you say, it's like a jumble sale, and the quality and fit are poor. The basic prices are high so they can reduce them. IMHO. Uniqlo is the place I go for good quality basics now.

I still think they are good for winter socks though.

aoife24 · 11/12/2014 10:07

I'd say yes. I haven't bought anything from Gap in years. They used to have a wider range. I had a lovely short swingy velvet skirt from them years ago, no, just dull, dull, dull and expensive for not very well-made clothes.

Dorisdolalee · 11/12/2014 10:22

Yes I think the cotton price has meant there's a lot more acrylic in the clothes which means poorer quality. Also the knitwear is mosly acrylic where it used to be wool.

Style wise I just don't get it at all.

SchnitzelVonKrumm · 11/12/2014 15:01

Part of the reason it looks like a jumble sale is that they pack their racks with sizes no-one wears. I looked at a coat yesterday, there were about 20 each of XS and XXL and shag all in between.

CatCushion · 11/12/2014 15:15

Yes! That's the other thing. I can generally only find one garment to fit me when I shop there!

Chandon · 11/12/2014 16:53

They used to do beautiful quality thick cotton tees.

No longer

mrsfarquhar · 11/12/2014 17:02

I agree, tops which lose shape very quickly and get holey very very quickly (tbf my Gap tops have always been quick to get holes in, not sure why, must be me but only notice it on Gap tops)

mrsfarquhar · 11/12/2014 17:03

Also childrens cords are very thin and go through the knees quickly. Could always count on Gap clothes being good ones to pass on.

WhereIsMyHat · 11/12/2014 17:51

Totally yes, for adults and kids. The last few jeans I bought have had broken studs on the waist fastening within a few months.

I used to love gap. Now not so much.