The Gap

I was having a wander through Manchester since the weather was absolutely gorgeous today and happened to be pulled into The Gap by large red posters boasting a sale up to 75% off. I am a sucker for sales and rarely pay full price for anything… it also helps that I worked retail while I was a student so I know the cycle :)
I haven’t seen many locations of The Gap here recently, if you think about it, it doesn’t really fit in with stores like Top Shop, River Island, etc. In the states it is known as preppy fashion and I tended to go to The Gap for my basics: shirts and tanks for layering, cardigans, and jeans… especially jeans. The jeans that fit me the best and have lasted the longest have all been from The Gap. I was hoping to score a pair of jeans on clearance since I am down to one pair… yup they are Gap.
The store was quite busy, most of the people seemed to have the same idea as me and were trolling through the clearance racks. The store is quite large with women’s wear on the ground floor and everything else in the basement (men’s and baby). Despite how large the store is, all of the sales racks were confined to the left side of the store, including racks quite near the stairs. I am sure there is a better way to organize that.
Unfortunately no jeans on sale… lots of khakis and sweaters. So I checked out the side of the store not on sale, including the jeans. They had some cute basics, but the prices are quite high. And usually I know my size in jeans, but this time, I’m not sure what size they were using. I know my sizes in the UK, maybe they were using European sizes? Typically I can find another tag on the jeans that has size conversions, but I couldn’t find any. I ended up trying on some clothes, but no jeans. The fitting room was clean and there was someone there to help with sizes. In the end, I didn’t leave with anything, but now I know where The Gap is :)

St Ann’s Street has Gap growing on it all over! This Gap is just huge! I think its about four floors and that is a freaking load of clothes in a store!
They have clothes for everyone! Moms, dads, babies, kids, teens and adults! Gap can literally dress anyone up!
Its a great store to get your basics, because knowing Gap you’ll know that they aren’t really into very chic and in your face fashionable garments. They do good basics but what’s the catch in these basics? The quality I’d like to think! They last you forever and well, with basics, we don’t want to be running around every 2 months wanting to get the same black tee again! Perfect for that situation!

What’s better than one GAP? Four GAPS! Or at least, one stretched across four floors. More clothes equals more happy customers, and GAP seems to fill this niche of being kind of cheap and kind of cool, so having more of it makes everyone happy.
I don’t shop here that often, but I’m not disappointed when I do because the annoyingly hip staff always point me in the right direction and offer fashion advice. Even when I don’t ask them to. And I don’t need it.

So much underwear for so little money. I bought a ton of smalls from Gap when they had one of their unbeatable sales, and this was over a year ago… they’re still going strong. And these are smalls I wear to death. I won’t go into grisly details, but if they were Primarni I’d be throwing them out by now if you catch my drift.
But should I be? Despite all those happy dancing adverts and the likes of SJP, Madonna and Missy Elliott insisting we shop there, Gap’s been accused of hiding its use of sweatshops. I did an article on sweatshops when I wrote for the college newspaper. But for some, that darker side is easy to overlook when you’re ogling the cuteness of Baby Gap. Hey, I didn’t say I felt that way. Not at all.
So, to summarise, the sales are great for grabbing your basics and they do some of the loveliest baby and child clothes I’ve ever seen. It’s a principles versus practicality situation. Make your mind up… do you need Gap? I need it for undies, that’s for sure.

This is the king of Gaps in Manchester with 4 floors its got every member of the family covered. I love gap, yes there another corporate giant but you always know its going to be a safe bet buying your clothes from gap. As a male I can only really comment on my section but I know if I buy anything from gap 3 months down the line I won’t be regretting it. This is in harsh contrast to that neon zipped hoody or any of the other topman (place makes me want to throw up) kind of crap that a lot of my friends buy.
Gap is the safety net, if you were to walk in and asked to be dressed in the most f*****g ridiculous manner you could conceive you’d probably come out wearing nothing more potent than a brown belt or god forbid a scarf. So to summarise if gap was a statement it would be this, «its nice enough, we don’t do clothes that could potentially make you look like a twat in 2 days time, everything you buy you’ll put on because its practical and never goes out of fashion».

Gap, The Gap? Gap, The Gap? Gap, The Gap? See, I’m never sure whether it’s Gap or The Gap, and though it feels right when I say The Gap, people pick up on it (like they pick up on the weird way I say «yahhhhh» for «year» or «naiiiirly» for «nearly») and nobody else I know says The Gap. Anyway, I like saying The Gap.
I also like shopping there. I think because of its risible GAP hoodies and its almost unparalleled collection of simple staple items, The Gap has a reputation for being a bit boring. It’s simply not! Sure, it has plain shizzle, all the better to go with my awesome new multicoloured 100% lambswool cardigan (a snip at £25 in the sale, but more than worth the original £55) and the awesome skinny jeans that The Gap does so well.
The Manchester branch of The Gap stretches over 3 floors, with most of the decent shebang on the ground floor as you go in. Downstairs was a bit weird last time I went in; a few maternity and leisure items round the edges, and a lot of empty space, so I would guess that downstairs is getting a re-​vamp. Upstairs you’ll find boy stuff and baby stuff. And OMG, is Baby Gap cute, or is Baby Gap CUTE?! Recently I had two colleagues to buy baby gifts for, and honestly I almost cried in Baby Gap, the stuff is so adorable. Sigh, how I wish kids’ clothes had been that cool when I was wee, then I would have been able to wear a tiny Chanel-​esque cardi with a tiny breton tshirt.
Whether you’re looking for a classic white T, or a piece of special knitwear, The Gap is the place to go. Yep, that’s the definite article right there, kids.

You can find almost the exact same clothes you find in Gap in many other cheaper high street stores in Manchester like H & M, Primark and New Look. But if you’re looking for clothes that might actually last and hold their shape, then make Gap a treat for yourself.
Oddly, Manchester’s Gap is located a few streets away from the main shopping area, but this one has a more boutique feel that fits in with the other shops around the St. Anne’s Square and King St. areas. It’s set out over three floors and even has a maternity section.
Lots of people find Gap a bit preppy. Whilst I wouldn’t wear Gap clothes all of the time because of this fact, I don’t mind owning a few of their items and I’ll always go in for a browse. This store has always been quite quiet when I’ve been in, meaning that the staff are attentive and happy to help.
I was kindly given a jumper at Christmas that just didn’t really fit me from Gap. Luckily the receipt was included in the present and I popped in to find something to exchange it for. Luckily I found a red, checked shirt that I’d had my eye on for a while in the January sales. I happily made the swap.

I’m not usually a big fan of The Gap.
I find their style too self-​conscious and preppy.
With 40−50% off beautiful cashmere cardigans, cuddly cashmere jumpers, soft silk shirts and indigo denim jeans however, I’m finding it harder and harder to resist. If you’re already rocking the preppy look however, you may want to scoot down there fast before the rails are empty!

Gap style originates from the states and has been in the UK for over 15 years now and still going strong because its iconic brand. The prices are mid-​range for the quality you get and I especially like going during the sales. I have picked up some real bargains when they are reducing stock because they bring it all down rather then just the naff stuff they have. The clothes are really comfortable to wear and give a solid understated plain look. The shop has a big changing room facility which is good as I normally take a few pairs of jeans, jumpers and trousers on one visit. There’s no limit on what you take in and they trust you to try them on and place them back. They sell good clothes for women and a full range for small children as well.

World famous gap! Get your jeans here!!! Made famous in the 80’s gap jeans are a must have! If you have little ‘uns visit baby gap where you will find the cutest small clothes ever! Especially the miniature gap hoodies! My favourite from GAP is definetley the staple hoodies they sell at £35.00. As well as jeans and hoodies, Gap sell a nice range of casual clothing. T-​shirts, jumpers, casual bottoms like combats along with scarves, hats, gloves and handbags! Its really good quality stuff and I would say the prices aren’t too much for what you are getting.