Gap Basics: So Fabulous

I cannot encourage you enough to check out Gap's new basics. The T-shirts and the oxford shirts are so so SO fabulous, I don't think I will buy a basic T-shirt from any other retailer, ever, as long as Gap keeps making these. Yes, I'm that impressed. The below had "Designed and Crafted" in the label, and the emphasis is apt.

Soft, hangs just so, loose in the right places, perfectly fitted in the right places, exactly the proper length, and is a v-neck: the above T-shirt has it all ($24.95). 

See all of the above except "v-neck." The is The Shrunken Boyfriend, and it is exactly as if you are wearing your boyfriend's shirt and he's skinny and has a great tailor. Lovely, lovely fit ($49.95).

The jeans in both looks are 1969 Sexy Boyfriends. I just got Levi's Skinny Boyfriends, or these would have been a new boyfriend in my collection. 

Gap Herald Square

60 West 34th Street at Broadway

Wearable Artist Editions

I'm not a fan of "wearable art" as it generally involves craft store miscellany glued onto sweatshirts. I prefer to keep my art separate from my clothing. This will all change if I am ever able to buy, borrow or steal haute couture. Or if I can decide which one of these to buy:























Gap's Whitney Biennial Artist Editions T's on 34th Street. I finally got a chance to go try them on ($28, l to r: Kiki Smith; Kenny Scharf; Sarah Sze back; Sze front; Marilyn Minter; and Hanna Liden men's T). The women's scoop-neck top fits great and the cotton is soft. It's also gratifying to see the artist name in the tag (above). Poor Pierre. Does he not deserve a tag too?

Online there are only 2 women's and 1 men's style for sale; have the rest sold out? Sizing in store is running low so visit soon. I did overhear a clerk say there could be different styles arriving soon. So far, I'm partial to the very 80's looking Marilyn Minter. You?

Gap, 60 W. 34th @ 6th Avenue

Sheets & T's

It's the last day of the Pratesi sale at Soiffer Haskin. I've never gone to this one but today I'm dropping by, hoping to pick up some new sheets. I want "sistermom" sheets: the kind that make me realize what crap my sheets are whenever I sleep over at their homes. Hopefully there are some still in stock. I'll report back if it's any good.

Also, think about freshening up some other cotton things. My t-shirts all look raggedy, and I'm not the type to spend $50+ on a T, so I bought some at Forever 21. These are very thin, the see-through variety, but I don't mind that for layering. They are also long and silly inexpensive ($4.80 for short-sleeves, $5.80 for long-sleeves). Go right as you enter on the first floor, they're on the wall and come in several colors.

Pratesi sale at Soiffer Haskin, 317 W. 33rd just west of 8th Ave.
Today till 6:30pm
Forever 21, 50 W. 34th between 5th & Broadway

Hair of the Dog

Spent lots of money on sweaters and tequila this weekend? Don’t let that stop you from indulging yourself on Monday. Toss back a coffee, collect some loose change and visit Joey's.

Joey’s 4 for $1 thongs and boy shorts is the best bargain on 8th Avenue. And the biggest public display of underwear shopping on 8th Avenue? The selfsame Joey's. Put all modesty aside, ladies, because the two huge bins of undies are full frontal street level. Everyone can watch while you sort through mountains of thongs. The men’s underwear is, of course, in the back. Thanks, guys. But these underthings are all cotton Fruit of the Loom (bottom, ha!) and 4 for $1 means it's worth any minor embarrassment you may suffer.


Also, pick up some men’s white T’s for $1 and buy the $1 men’s socks (be sure the cotton ratio outweighs the acrylic), left. Then rummage through the racks of sweats and look for a $6 green American Apparel sweatshirt. The adrenaline rush of such a find immediately cures any residual thong shopping shame and your weekend hangover. Cheers.



Joey's, 500 8th Avenue between 35th & 36th, 212-279-3160

Wide Legs and All, Day 2

The search for wide-leg jeans continues…

The Forever 21 shopping experience: mind boggling, full of throbbing dance music, and awe-inspiring. By the time it’s over you’ll be forever grateful this store exists. Or you'll be in a music-induced trance.

Look for jeans on the first floor and get distracted by Exciting Find #1: the anorak. Last season’s runway trend is here, hanging on a mannequin above the denim. It’s probably not waterproof and the snaps are difficult to open but who cares, it’s $24.50. Best of all, it’s really a “faux-orak” because those ornery snaps are cleverly hidden. This means you get the pullover look without the pullover hair-messing and lipstick-smearing.

And the jeans? Great for 20-somethings but definitely not office appropriate. Longer in the inseam than Gap jeans, but not as high quality, these are great trend fillers. So for $29.80 they can be painlessly replaced in 6 months with the next great thing.

If you’re not buying these, consider Exciting Find #2 and some others:

short black moccasin boots. Hippy meets hip for $24.80. Look for them on the 1st or 2nd floor under clothing racks. Love them all winter and freeze for fashion;

royal blue cotton blend sweater, $17.80, first floor. Get a jump on spring’s color obsession with this standout hue;

men’s white T-shirt, 2nd floor. These long-sleeved T’s ($7.00) are simple and sexy. Pick one up for your guy but caution, they’re fitted. Only gym related 6 packs allowed;

gray belt, $8.80, 2nd floor. Insta-cool your basics with the color of the moment.

Forever 21, 50 West 34th between 5th and 6th, 212-564-2346