This week marked the launch of Alexander Wang and Vena Cava for GAP Design Editions, so I figured I’d hit the 54th Street location to see what all the fuss was about. Trying some stuff on (and surreptitiously snapping pics in the dressing room, natch) gave me a better idea. Where dresses and outerwear are concerned, the hype surrounding these collections seemed legit enough.
I seriously dug Wang’s khaki bomber jacket, and found Vena Cava’s dresses equally well-made and flattering. The pockets nearly won me over.
But the bottoms. Sweet Jesus, the bottoms.
The Vena Cava slim-fit pant was all kinds of icky for many reasons. The waist hit directly at the belly-button, which meant muffin top for anyone with even the slightest amount of tummy pudge. The crotch made the risk of camel-toe palpable. And the designer’s name scrawled in various places on the legs seemed excessive, as did the purposeless ankle zippers.
Where Wang’s pleated number’s concerned, I have two words for you: Diaper shorts.
Onto the price points. In comparison with a $795 Velvet Motorcycle Jacket, an $88 khaki bomber is reasonable enough. Ditto for an $88 dress in comparison with its $500 high-end counterparts.
Alas, eighty eight is a number I reserve for items like shoes. Not an amount to be spent on something from the GAP, particularly if everyone and their Mom is going to be wearing it. Thanks, but no thanks.
tags: 
Those two dresses were the only pieces out of the collection that caught my eye. I’m glad to hear they’re up to snuff quality-wise; might have to swing by my local Gap and see if I can check them out in person.
What time were you in-store? I, too, went to check out the collabs at 54th and 5th yesterday, I was there around 10:50 a.m. I liked the Vena Cava dresses but they both were a tad too stiff for my taste. I didn’t try on the pants or jacket but I reached the same verdict as you with the shorts.
if it’s anything like a target collab, then those pocket dresses will be yours for $8 at Goodwill before you know it.
Hmm, I’d seriously think about the first dress if it weren’t 88$ and beige.
I think everything is so ill-fitting on you that I don’t quite understand how you can even like the dresses or jacket. The pants obvs needed to be in a larger size, and the shorts were hideous. Then again, I wouldn’t pay that kind of money for Gap crap.
I love the bomber jacket and the Vena Cava dresses! They all look fantastic on you.