Looking for these boots at a Gap near you? Look again: They're from Barneys. Credit: Barneys New York
It's hard to miss the super cool high-heeled construction-worker-inspired boots worn by the ladies in Gap's current "Gung Ho Ho" ad campaign. But while Gap was "eighty-sixing the rules" for how to spend the holidays (and promoting flannel as the hip thing to wear), they also dissed the cardinal rule of advertising: Show off your own goods.
No, really. The boots, which are prominently featured in the Gap's cheery holiday ads are not available anywhere on the chain's site, nor at Gap's sister store, shoe etailer Piperlime. Did the boots sell out, like so many other cool things this season? Are they the apparel equivalent of a Zhu Zhu pet? Fashionistas have been desperately searching for an answer, and for the boots.
Don't worry, you can still get them, just not at the Gap. The LA Times' Booth More rang up Gap's PR people and got an answer: The sexy lace up ankle boots are part of Barneys' exclusive CO-OP Shoes line. And, despite the fact that they appear in the Gap ads in chocolate brown, they're available in tan only, and at Barneys prices: These heels are made in Italy and retail for $395.
That's a little more than your average pair of Gap boots.
Oh, and those fun red laces? You'll have to buy them separately to holiday-up the look. No word on where the laces can be found.
Maxine,12-23-2009, 4:16AM
These boots are hideous and they do not look practical for slogging around in the ice and snow. I'd probably fall head over heels if I wore them!
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Ry,12-23-2009, 5:00AM
Are you kidding me? maybe next these people will want people to ONLY wear Hanes underwear because Hanes doesn't sell Converse Chuck Taylors! Maybe soup ads should have naked people because Campbell's doesn't make clothes! This is rediculous. They are ugly shoes anyway. But regardless, I think they make it VERY obvious what they are selling considering they only acknowledge the shirts 75 times! Don't be stupid people. Really.
And for the one commenting about the Army boots being comfy. My boyfriend has been serving almost 10 years. He hates them. And you obviously don't have fallen arches or you would hate them to. I also don't think they were insulting the military. So, maybe you are the kind that doens't know when to "turn off"?
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Frank_K,12-23-2009, 6:17AM
So the fact that they actors sing "you're really in the spirit giving gifts galore" is not a bother, but these boots are! Typical commercialization, those of us out of work or otherwise cash strapped are sure to be reminded that WE are not meeting our obligation to spend and so do not have the Chri$tma$ spirit. Intercourse your X-ma$ Gap!
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E,12-23-2009, 8:34AM
Even dyed with red laces, those still aren't the same boots. Their boots have fur around the top of them.
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Tina,12-23-2009, 8:54AM
Dugan, I don't think the Army boot comment was supposed to be derogatory, I believe this person was saying we should be grateful that we ourselves are not in the military away from home and fighting a very real war.
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mark,12-23-2009, 9:17AM
Does this mean that saying, "Your Mama wears combat boots is now a compliment?"
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TEXAS PRINCESS,12-23-2009, 10:15AM
A. BOOTS ARE TACKY UNLESS IT IS PART OF YOUR UNIFORM
B.SAVE YOUR MONEY
C. TOOO TRENDY..WILL BE 'OUT' BY FEB.
D GAP SUCKS
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frankie,12-23-2009, 10:18AM
Much ado about nothing....
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SaintNickie,12-23-2009, 10:36AM
Dugan: I'm pretty sure by what I read they only meant be thankful you aren't in the desert fighting the war like some do for us every day. That was not a comment to slam our troops in any way at all...Merry Christmas and thank you for everything that our troops do for our country. But personally I'm not in the military (my father served proudly for 26 years) and I'm thankful I don't have to wear those boots 18 hours a day. That in NO way means I'm not thankful to the men and women that are every single day. Seems to me the person that posted a comment that upset you, was just trying to make the same point. People need to stop complaining about not being able to find $395 boots and be thankful for everything else we have like our freedom. :)
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albertdavin,12-23-2009, 3:45PM
you can barely even notice the friggin boots in the ad so i SERIOUSLY doubt anybody went to a gap looking for them. or maybe they paused it on one of those zoom in shots to get a better look at them. that's possible.
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Andre,12-23-2009, 5:34PM
I have found this to be the case with GAP ads ALL the time!! LOL, I see a GAP/ Banana Republic (sometimes even Old Navy) ad and I say "OMG, I really like that" go to the store, can't find it - go online, can't find it - only to find out either the item isn't a GAP product OR GAP doesn't actually make the product and it was only used for advertising purposes!! LOL, nothing against the GAP though, I still like them.
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fstopphotography,12-23-2009, 7:09PM
Have none of you folks have ever heard of Photoshop? LOL You REALLY think all these pretty models you see in these ads actually look like this is real life? REALLY?
It's MY job to make'em look better than they ever do in their day to day life. and dpn't think I can't change the color or the boots ANYTIME I want to also!!!
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Yeah,12-23-2009, 7:40PM
If not getting some boots that you wanted is one's biggest dilemma, then you have it made. They are ugly as sh** anyway. :)
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Michele,12-23-2009, 7:37PM
What good is it to report comments if you can't report comments. Tired of reading the sex ads.
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AJ,12-24-2009, 9:06AM
Good grief.I've seen thiis commercial a thousand times and not once did I EVER think that they were selling the shoes...ummmm clearly the commercial is pushing the flannel. Why do people try to find ANYTHING to complain about?Back off.
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Ken,12-25-2009, 9:49PM
It's probably the stupidest ad next to the ADT commercials...
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svrdhd,12-26-2009, 3:27PM
If you'd pay over $50 for those boots, I've got some red shoelaces I'll sell you for $40 a pair. And someone is dumb enough to do it.
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