Gap are dead! RIP!

[GapTshirtsAreShitQualityTheseDays]

I had 10 white tshirts that I bought from them over 5 years ago. Nice and thick. About £8 each.

They have eventually got stained (I'm a messy eater).

I went to order 10 more. Then are now £14. They arrived today and you could spit peas through them. They are also TINY and SHORT.

No wonder they are mail order only now. No-one would ever buy if they could see the quality.

I used to live in their jeans. Now I buy M&S - either their jeans department has radically improved or I’ve turned into my mother. For T-shirts, Uniqlo as everyone else says.

I did not put that link into my post btw! Must be some kind of advertising. Weird.

It’s such a shame , it used to be so reliable.
About twenty years ago it was so great for children’s clothes, lovely little fleece lined jeans for winter and gorgeous knitwear. Indestructible!
I don’t rate uniqlo anymore either though. Last year I bought a few of their cashmere bits online and the quality was just terrible. So thin and flimsy.

My best casual coats are Gap. Ours closed during the pandemic and I'm starting to get a bit desperate about replacing them. I think I'll have to visit Uniqlo but not buy a third mini bag.

I agree, I don't think much of the Uniqlo cashmere and haven't bought any but their cotton products are good.

What is the sizing like at Uniqlo? Would a M be a 12-14 for example? X

No, they are definitely more 'Asian' sizing. I buy M there and I am typically a 10.

I see people rave about Uniqlo but the one time I bought tshirts from there I was underwhelmed. Was some years ago so maybe I will try again.

M&S tshirts 100% cotton tshirts are AWFUL. They shrink and go misshapen so quickly. They end up like crop tops.

I still have a few lovely thick GAP tshirts in my drawer so I have physical proof that it WAS possible to produce a quality garment that would last years. Maybe I should march into the HQs of these shops with said Tshirts in my hands and say "FEEL HOW THICK THIS IS! AND NOT SHRUNK EVEN AFTER 1000 WASHES! THIS IS WHAT I WANT NOW MAKE IT!"

I really do think the issue is online shopping. Retailers know they can get away with shit quality as you can't test it beforehand and people cba returning it unless it's REALLY bad.

From now on, I'm going to go instore and assess quality before parting with my cash!

For t-shirts, I buy COS now, not as cheap as Gap but the quality is worth it.

COS is my go-to now for tshirts - their Clean Cut T-Shirts at £30 are great quality. I wish I liked more of their clothes, everything else from there looks like a shapeless sack on me.

What's the nest replacement store for the lovely gap hoodies they did in the 90s?

Which brands are good for cashmere?

I'm a fan of Holland and Cooper hoodies but again they're expensive.

I find Woolovers to be reasonable. Many have said Tesco is decent. For pricier, try Pure. And the gold standard is Brora but you need to pay with your internal organs and first born child.

Possibly Superdry.

@Putmeinsummer I also got a FAB hoodie from Trespass of all places! Now I often see old grannies wearing the same one when I'm out and about but I don't care. It's fleecy on the inside and apparently indestructible. I actually went back and bought another the same so I always have a clean one!

That's sounds good! I'm not sure I can pull off the holland and cooper ones, I'd scream social climber. Can 40 year old school mums who work from home wear superdry or will I get eye rolls from the cool kids?

I’m not sure kids wear Superdry these days. the things I’ve had from them have been good quality. Bear in mind their sizes come up very small!

I'm glad I stocked up on basics when they were winding down bricks and mortar shops. I bought lots of vests and t-shirts in the sales they had.

I rate Baujken for basics like white t shirts, vests etc. Bit more expensive but well made and they have sales ....

I have a superdry sweatshirt and the logo is miniscule.

That’s unfortunate, though not surprising. I think Gap intended to leave the UK entirely but decided to try letting Next sell some of their merchandise. I’d imagine that they only offer part of their inventory though.

I’ve actually found some nice stuff at Gap in the US recently but since it’s an American company I suspect what they offer is different there.

I recently bought a bundle of scoop neck (other styles available!) t-shirts from Rapanui, you can pick colours and sizes for your bundle. They are really good quality and have so far washed well, organic cotton etc.
https://rapanuiclothing.com/collections/womens-t-shirts

Sigh. I still wear a Gap denim jacket that I bought 25 years ago and is good as new. But not bought anything in the last decade.

I still occasionally browse their website in the hope that their half-sleeve scoop neck cotton tops will be back. I think I bought my last one in about 2015.