Target > GAP?

Does Target's relatively slim fits push them over the top into the realm of respectable clothing? I remember Richistan saying that Target was the store shopped at the most by the affluent in the U.S. And really, if you are thinking about budget options, Target seems like the best one now. For students and other young people, the 3 best options seem to be Target, J. Crew, and AA.

GAP doesn't seem to have any kind of chic to it that resonates with people anymore. Target seems to have had that for a few years now.

I guess GAP has been cut into from several directions, AA for one and Target for another. I feel such a sense of pity whenever I pass one. I really want to like it, for I like the concept (decent stuff at fair prices), but the cause just seems hopeless, and the quality is truly subpar.

Unless it's Colette+GAP. Certainly has some weight to it, but on their own, I really don't see GAP returning to any previous success. Their previous customers have moved on, and they're stuck between trying to attract new customers, and bringing back the older ones.

As for Target's chic, or ability to resonate with people, I don't know if it's a comparable situation. A strict clothing retailer versus one which relies on is other sales more than clothing. Imagine if Target's clothing had to exist in a stand alone store, it would be a joke, a collection of novelty shirts among other things.

That said, I think it may depends on the size of your Target's market. The one's in the suburbs I've lived in never did too much for me. Maybe it's just everything ends up feeling blouse-y.

I think H&M should be added to that list... they have a pretty good quality and some nice selection. I wouldn't buy everything there, but a simple argyle sweater, polo, t-shirt, or button down is easily found for a great price. I do like J.Crew... but J.Crew is a bit more expensive.

Yes, H&M should definitely be on the list.

How about the quality of target dress shirts? are they ok do they wrinkle? I bought some dress shirts from Express and they are crap and need to replace them but not expensive. Thank you.

My experience in the past few years is that Gap's clothing is slightly higher quality than Target but at double the retail price, hence Target is the better overall value at the moment. Gap is moving aggressively into slimmer fits though, and if their good-looking merchandise should ever hit the sale rack, than Gap > Target.

Originally Posted by TheDroog

Click to expand...

My experience in the past few years is that Gap's clothing is slightly higher quality than Target but at double the retail price, hence Target is the better overall value at the moment. Gap is moving aggressively into slimmer fits though, and if their good-looking merchandise should ever hit the sale rack, than Gap > Target.

I pretty much only buy Gap stuff off the sale rack. I've gotten 50 dollar shirts for 6 dollars. Can't beat that.

Target is great for basics. Their merino wool sweaters, and polos are relatively fitting sized down. Their designer collaboration outerwears are a great value. I have an Isaac Mizrahi trench coat bought for $60 (I think) that is modern and slim.

They have some decent ties and accessories to boot. But I wouldn't recommend their dress shirts or trousers. Some of their shirts are blends and aren't exactly comfortable to wear even after a couple of washes. They have some of the ugliest and cheapest looking buttons. And well, they aren't exactly slim fit. Their performance khaki pants gave way on me after only 2 weeks of wear.

Originally Posted by pruppert

Click to expand...

As for Target's chic, or ability to resonate with people, I don't know if it's a comparable situation. A strict clothing retailer versus one which relies on is other sales more than clothing. Imagine if Target's clothing had to exist in a stand alone store, it would be a joke, a collection of novelty shirts among other things.

disagreed, as new york's "bullseye bodega" proejct will attest: http://www.cityhammer.com/blog/2008/...ty-bodega.html

J. Crew's pricepoint is usally much higher than the other stores you list. The list of cheap stores where you can find non-hideous clothing should look more like this:

H&M
Uniqlo
AA
Target

When it comes to inexpensive basics, my goto store (which I prefer over Target for sure) is Kohls. They constantly have sales and send out coupons all the time... so you can get stuff crazy cheap. Some of their brands include slim/althletic shirt cuts, and others work fine as long as you can find the smaller sizes like mediums on the rack. The Sonoma lifestyle brand in particular holds up wash after wash for me.

As for the original question.... I would still hold GAP over Target because their shirts have a different higher quality feel to them, and I like some of their casual pants while I would never buy pants at Target.

oh and also, if anyone managed to catch last season's issue of nylon guys, shaun white does a great job of whoring out his "shaun white for target line" throughout the issue, even on the cover. not as big a fan of that collection as keenan duffty's "bowie" line, but you can see how the retailer has become more than just a big-box store.

Originally Posted by ctrlaltelite

Click to expand...

disagreed, as new york's "bullseye bodega" proejct will attest: http://www.cityhammer.com/blog/2008/...ty-bodega.html
Yeah, I guess my relative distance from such things left me a bit ill-informed. I stand corrected. Apparently Target does do stand alone clothing/fashion retail. Who would have thought?

Not to add more names but has anyone checked out Martin & Osa? I have gone to their shop once but liked what I saw, and the attention I received from the VERY attractive SA.

Martin + Osa is priced similiarly to J Crew. Their stuff is pretty generic.