AIBU to mind the GAP?

[MotherofPearl]

Yesterday I dashed into the GAP, hoping to pick up some summer basics for the holidays. Everything was revolting!

What has happened? I wanted a few plain, nicely cut cotton t-shirts, some summer skirts and trousers in colours like navy or tan, and perhaps a cardigan in a cotton/wool mix. Arrghhhh - it was all vile colours (lime green trousers anyone?), horrible cheap flimsy fabrics and hideous cuts.

I remember GAP being a good place for simple basics at good prices. Nice navy peacoats in winter, good plain t-shirts, crisp white shirts and plenty of simply-cut trousers. What on earth has gone wrong? Or am I mis-remembering?

The summer stuff has mostly sold out now. Only the stuff no one buys is left, hence the lime green.

You need to buy summer stuff at EASTER

Oh Laurie, I see what you mean! It's just that I have 3 DC and never seem to have time to shop for myself, always put it off. Lesson learned I guess.

Quite honestly I think that GAP have been going downhill for a long time. Even pre-sale I went in for a couple of t-shirts and was disappointed with the quality.

If I want the sort of things that you are describing OP, I now head straight to Uniqlo. Better quality, excellent e-commerce if you can't get to store, and sizing good. Sale on at the moment as well.

Cotton is getting harder and harder to find no matter where you shop.

GAP had indeed been awful for a few years. I used to buy so much from there and the quality was excellent.
I only seem to get the odd summer dress now, everything else screams "cheap" to me.

They are still really good, but online only. The shops themselves are rubbish. I don't bother going in them now

I went into a shop and it was grim, but I ordered two of their v neck t-shirts online and they are fantastic. Excellent thick, really soft cotton and fitted without clinging. in fact, just writing this post has inspired me to buy another couple.

Whenever I finally come across a nice 100% cotton top these days it costs £££'s.

I am bemused that they send me daily discount codes ranging from 25-55% off. I wouldn't go into a shop because it'd be cheaper online.

They are still really good, but online only.

Yup. And sign up for discount codes. I still rate them for basics.

I wanted a few plain, nicely cut cotton t-shirts, some summer skirts and trousers in colours like navy or tan, and perhaps a cardigan in a cotton/wool mix.

That's all still there. I live in Gap stuff and am activity one of my children. Goes to is right next to a massive one so I am there weekly for a browse. It's as good for basics as it ever was IMO.

You're shopping at the wrong time as a PP said - the 70% off sales are still on. Give it a couple of weeks and there'll be some late summer/transitional stuff.

Thanks for all the replies.

Seems to be partly a case of me shopping at the wrong time and perhaps opting for in-store rather than online. I'll certainly try online, and am going to take a proper look at Uniqlo, which for some reason is one of those places that has passed me by. I think I just need to be better organised about shopping.

I do think that there has been a decline in quality of fabrics in lots of shops though.