The Choosy Beggar

Taking The Cut’s lead, we decided to investigate the “new” Gap, under the reign of designer Patrick Robinson, only to find much of the same dowdy, unfinished, and disposable merch that one would associate with, well, the Gap. This stuff is ideal for beer-runs in rural Vermont, but otherwise useless.

Up and down the hipness spectrum — from American Apparel and Urban Outfitters to J. Crew and Gant — Gap’s peers are successfully infusing new life into their brands, and the business of apparel in general. Why the Gap can’t follow a similar path is, well, just not a conversation we’re going to have right now.

That said, we did find a few redeeming items from Gap’s fall season, chief among them a simple, but well-executed Herringbone blazer for just $88 (above).

Cozy and only the slightest bit dowdy, this jacket would come in very handy on weekend trips, strolls though the park, and other casual affairs. Its solid build, modern cut, and great value closed the deal for us.

Of the Gap’s two khaki blazers, the darker one would also make a smart purchase:

For the next two weeks, Lower East Side men’s shop Bblessing is taking up to 70% off its hipster wares online and in store. [Racked]

Choose from tons of shirts and trousers, but among the outerwear, we dig:

• Opening Ceremony double-breasted suit jackets for $324

• Man of Moods polyester windbreakers now $246

• Surface to Air marble nylon tape windbreakers for $336

Bblessing – 181 Orchard St at Stanton – 212-378-8005 – Map

ACL admires a new microsite co-created by Gant and The Sartorialist’s Scott Shuman featuring his portraits of New Yorkers filling out the preppy gear. … And so do we.

Not long ago, Gant was hard to distinguish from its preppy brethren. But, as ACL notes, the label has taken pains to branch out, to sharpen its edge, and to find its own proverbial voice. That fact hit home the other day when we came across its fall line on the racks. The stuff is just more vibrant.

…But why should they have all the fun.

Gilt.com clearly saved the best for last this week with its Rag & Bone sale set to begin at 12 noon today. HERE’s your invite to the member’s only sample-sale site.

(If you really need another reason to join Gilt.com, the Ralph Lauren Purple Label sample-sale is slated for next Tuesday.)