Tuesday, July 10, 2007

What (not) to wear

I fell into the Gap today. I think it was my first time in a Gap in what must be at least a year.* The last time I shopped at a Gap I don't remember thinking that I didn't belong there, but today I was immediately overwhelmed with a sense of anti-belonging. It was a strange fish-out-of-water syndrome. I think I used to blend in adequately, but it seems that they've changed their look, and I'm apparently not keeping up with the times.

I'm more of an Old Navy girl, really. And Target, which I don't even feel the need to call "Tar-gey." I'm definitely casual enough for affordable Mossimo- and Cherokee-chic.

Anyhow, regarding the Gapdisbelonging, it didn't matter: I still bought a cute little brown stretchy tank. Of course it was on sale.

I'm pretty fortunate - my typical work attire is a pair of jeans, a T-shirt and a zippered hoodie. In the summer, the jeans become shorts - typically a casual pair with a relatively long inseam, but more on the industrial side than professional. For my feet, a pair of sneakers is ideal, functioning well for bike-riding and for working in an area ripe with chemicals and stubbing hazards. I can and do dress up from time to time. But if I know I'll be in the lab, lugging cylinders around or crawling around on the floor of the plane, it is simply impractical to wear "nice" clothes.

And I couldn't be happier.

I might not please Stacy and Clinton, but my style suits me just fine.

*I'm not counting the Gap Outlet - they're much more down to earth at the outlet than they are at this hoity-toity zone I wandered into today.

9 comments:

Kate said...

I have found the same lately. Luckily now that I'm pregnant their maternity stuff is more the "old" gap style. Of course I am also buying on sale. I am not sure I've ever paid full price for anything from the Gap.

Unknown said...

For me it all seems to depend on the season. Whatever their "theme" seems to be for the year works for me or it doesn't. I do not like going back and having their salespeople help me. They are like used car salesmen. Blech!

Anonymous said...

i've just started going through people's laundry downstairs and telling julie i bought her something....much more affordable.

Anonymous said...

I am so tired of going clothes shopping and finding nothing I like. Or anything that fits right. What's with butt crack jeans, and skimpy shirts that get even more skimpy when you wash them?

And I can never find colours that suit me.

I think I've decided to start making my own clothes.

Then they fit right, and I can pick my own colours.

(and not look like a clone)

Although there will be a bit of a learning curve.

Becky said...

Meg - it's funny that you would say that, because not four days ago, I purchased two patterns for making tops for myself for the first time in, oh, over 15 years! I bought the patterns, fabric, notions and thread. :) Now I just need to find a place where I can cut all of it out. (And although I have sewed in the past, I think the learning curve will be VERY present here.)

ewe are here said...

I have to admit I used to be a Banana Republic girl - oh how I miss it.

Gap is outrageously priced over here. I've picked up some Gap jeans at the second-hand shops, though. ;-)

meg said...

Again I am counting on my mother to help me out. Being a poor Irish immigrant in Montreal, my mom had to make her own clothes. She handmade everything. Even her own hats. So she'll be a handy helpful resource.

Last night she helped me finally sort out my knitting problems. Turns out the pattern has a mistake.

Unknown said...

Do I need to comment on the Gap to send a message to Keith? Does that count as a comment?

Keith. Noticed you called. Sorry I missed you. Hopefully we'll talk soon.

Becky said...

Dwayne: we at Canucks at Large like to keep things free and easy. Hence, you may at any given time discuss anything that strikes your fancy. We may respond with blank stares, but we will listen. :)

(And I've passed on the hello to my other half.)

Ewe - I'm all about secondhand Gap clothing - particularly for the person in our family who tends to grow out of his clothing before it wears out. And Gap clothes are typically good for at least three rounds of wear on average children.