Pierre on 34th Street

Gap on 34th doesn't have all of the Pierre Hardy shoes (from the looks of a Racked posting today, the 5th Avenue store has the line in its entirety), but they have enough to make me happy. Here's his wall (up since the 4th):

It's totally back on for me and Pierre; no disappointment on 34th Street.

Happy about:
This elegant, duo-tone flat ($98) that gives good toe cleavage and is pointy, the new toe for spring.

Happy that I was a size 8 in:
The gladiator, which is weird as I'm a nine. Either these gladiators ($78) run big, or Pierre is flattering me. All other styles are true to size.

Happily unable to resist:
The wooden platforms. Some may think I've lived through too many incarnations of such in my life, but screw them. I'll clomp around in every wooden platform redux I can get my hands on till I'm ninety. Then I'm wearing only those terry cloth slippers.

Very happy to see:
Some attention paid to the soles. Doesn't look like these are going to fall apart any time soon.

Unhappy to not see:
The pastel gladiators shown in earlier reports, and smaller sizes. Looks like 6 1/2 is the smallest in store. There weren't many 10's either.

Very unhappy to not see:
A name. No M. Hardy on the shoe, box, nor wall. And it's weird that there's very little PR buzz about this "design edition," although the shopping is saner. No crowd, but those of us at the Pierre wall were grabbing multiples. One girl got three pairs, "one for a friend and two that are too big, but I'll see if my shoe man can do anything, because otherwise I'd spend like $500 for his shoes." A salesman then exclaimed "People have been calling about these for months!" Um, sorry about that.

Gap at Herald & Greeley Squares, 34th & Broadway

Something's Afoot

Yesterday I stopped by Gap on 34th Street to check out Erica's look. Here's why I love the Gap on 34th: the gals are downstairs (more intimate, no fishbowl effect); the merchandise is well-organized and spaced (no claustrophobic bumping into Europeans); the bathroom is next to the dressing rooms; and there's rarely a line for the dressing rooms.

And what's up with Gap's designs? Something's afoot and I'm digging it. One of my favorite things from yesterday's visit:

It's like a sweatshirt (slightly American Apparel) but it's much more stylish and has pockets, thank you. This long cut gently eases you from trapeze tops to the more fitted styles for spring. Wear it with a little skirt or shorts and stockings. For $29.50 you hardly have to justify post-holiday spending.

Another nice surprise and another good transition piece is this sweater dress, $69. It's not too loose, it's a great length and it also comes in black. But I'm partial to this light grey. Could Gap be doing pre-spring? Goodness, it's contagious.

For rainy or slightly chilly days, this bright coat sets you up with strong spring coloring ($69.50). It can also claim a bright pink sister.

Check out the sales racks before you go and look for this blouse, $23.99. I think I like it because it's a pretty blue and it's girly which is so not me. We have to remember to mix it up every once in a while.

NB: tomorrow morning I'm going to the last day of the Shoe-In sale at Hammerstein Ballroom that's been highly recommended by Racked. Boots, shoes, Marc Jacobs, Frye, Miss. Sixty, Biviel....I'll let you know if there's anything left.

nnb: Of course, I forgot, Patrick Robinson is now afoot at Gap! Thank you, Mr. Robinson, we appreciate your clean & pretty designs that have no tinge of "dull."

Gap, 60 W. 34th @ Broadway
Shoe-In sale, Hammerstein Ballroom, 311 W. 34th between 8th & 9th