Fall Favorites: Gap is Back (for cozytime)

Back in middle school (and even into high school...yikes) I used to think Gap clothes were the epitome of cool. And they were, I guess, compared to the K-mart stirrup leggings and Route 66 tapered elastic-waisted jeans that Mom usually bought me. It was a treat in my household to own anything "brand name," and I proudly wore my GAP logo hoody to school picture day, for several years straight.

I then went through a phase during which I couldn't be bothered to shop at the Gap. To an aspiring fashionista, their clothes were undeniably drab, and few things were tiny petite-friendly.

Flash forward to Fall 2010. Three awesome, super cozy scores at the Gap have me back on board with this brand. Their petite legging jean has caused me to retire all my H&M and Abercrombie kids skinnies (!). I've worn my soft Gapbody sleep romper to pieces. I am also occasionally enticed by their chunky womens' sweaters which fit "casually loose" on tiny petites. Although finding something good at the Gap is still like finding a needle in a haystack (no petite sizing in stores, boo), at least there are some finds to be had.

Floral Top: Topshop Petite 0

Earrings: J.Crew   
Necklace: Vintage "Peri" cameo pin/pendant from ebay 

Cardigan: Gap Moto Knit Blazer womens XS

Jeans: Gap Legging Jean sz 00P in faded dark (buy here)

Shoes: Mossimo Palani Gladiator Sandals sz 5.5 (buy here, online only)

The under-ensemble:

Continue reading for more photos...

Check out these jeans on fellow bloggers Petite XXS, Curls n' Pearls (and here in black), and Chloe. I was totally sold after seeing them on PetiteXXS because she is tiner than me! These jeans in 00P fit amazingly throughout the hips and leg, and the length is perfect on shorter petites if you like some scrunching. They are so stretchy and comfy that I've fallen asleep in them several times after a meal (versus regular "skinny jeans" in which I can't unbutton the waist fast enough to allow breathing after a meal).

My only complaints are a small waist gap, plus the faded dark color is more medium than a true dark. Nevertheless, I love these to death and will be picking up the faded black wash during a future sale.

(below left) Waist is higher-rise, which I'm liking. Is that a sign of middle-agedness? Uh oh...

I hope some of you had the chance to pick up this moto cardigan. This cardi is gone now but I had it on my sidebar several times when some sizes were still in stock. This came in XSP, but I wanted bright yellow instead of navy, so I called about 5 stores to find the yellow in regular womens XS (ended up having it shipped from the NYC Gap). It's definitely roomy, but is oh-so-warm and cozy for throwing on during brisk Fall days.

And these shoes! Such a cheap thrill. I can wear them around town without worrying about scrape-ups cuz they were only $20. Buy them here before 5.5 sells out, and don't forget to use the retailmenot $5 off $50 coupon, and ebates for 3% cash back! I am guilty of buying doubles...and just got a 2nd pair of these, go figure.

A word of warning about the Gap legging jeans...size 00 regular does NOT fit anything like a 00 petite. Gap was having an in-store only sale so I reluctantly gave the 00 regular's a shot...compare the fit of these to the ones up above!

 Gap legging jeans, sz 00 regular

Although the jeans didn't work out, this Varsity Shawl Collar Cardigan (in XS) piqued my interest:

The varsity jacket aspect is a little juvenile, but the boyfriend liked it and it was plenty warm. Sleeves are long but can be folded or scrunched. "twas full price at the time but I will be keeping an eye out for sales.

Readers - Any good finds at the Gap lately? Share share...

*PS - click here to enter my Rent the Runway $100 giveaway. Not too many entries, which is good news I suppose for those who did enter : ) Thank you free!grechen and fellow bloggers for posting about it!