Thumbs Down

Well, the much-anticipated Vena Cava for Gap dress came. And went. Right back to Gap.

Don't get me wrong, it's still a great-looking dress. But it has some sizing and quality issues. I normally wear a 6 at Gap, but I ordered sizes 6 and 8 because I heard it runs closer to designer sizing. They sure weren't kidding. There was no hope I was going to squeeze my hips into the 6. Thankfully the 8 fit...if I didn't want to eat, sit down or move. Not exactly realistic. I would have preferred a 10 (which interestingly enough is the largest size Gap offers in the dress).

Sizing issues aside, the quality was sub par. On one of the dresses, the zipper was already pulling apart from the garment at the seam (easy fix, but one I shouldn't have to make upon tearing it from the package).

Did anyone else have better luck with Gap's designer collaboration?

Fall into the Gap

It's only been sixteen days into my sartorial sabbatical and I've caved. My closet simply couldn't go on much longer without the Vena Cava for Gap khaki zip dress.



Our local Gap doesn't carry it, so I ordered a couple of sizes online to try. I'll report back on how it fits.

(I may be slightly pathetic, but I do have a lot of pretty clothes.)

Alexander Wang, Vena Cava for Gap

I'm not sure where my sartorial awareness was for the last month because I just learned that Alexander Wang, Vena Cava and Albertus Swanepoel are falling into the Gap. The trio have reworked Gap's signature American prepster fabric - khaki - into surprisingly covetable pieces.

The major drawback to the capsule collection is the price point. The Albertus Swanepoel hats are $39.50 each, while Alexander Wang and Vena Cava designs range from $49.50 to $88. $88 for a Vena Cava dress is a bargain, but a Vena Cava for Gap dress is still, well, a Gap dress - and it's not worth $88.

But I want it. I've been having heart palpitations over the Vena Cava zipper dress (below).

The collection is scheduled to launch on June 16. I'll be one of the first in line to try on the dress (and probably break my no-shopping vow in the meantime).

(Pictured clockwise, starting from upper left.)

Alexander Wang for Gap trench coat, $88
Albertus Swanepoel for Gap bucket hat, $39.50
Vena Cava for Gap zipper dress, $88
Alexander Wang for Gap shorts, $49.50
Albertus Swanepoel for Gap wide-brimmed hat, $39.50