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.
NJ,12-22-2009, 4:36PM
I hate this ad! It is so disrespectful to Christians. I can't wait until it goes away! Many Christians feel this way. Most of them won't go near the gap. I don't understand why the Gap tries to include EVERY religion in this ad. It's so offensive. Where are the muslims then?? What about the Buddhists? This holiday is about Jesus Christ, hence the name Christmas. The music in this ad is so offensive to me as a follower of Jesus Christ. the gap does this every year!
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legeagle2,12-22-2009, 4:31PM
And what's the big deal? Is there suddenly a big market for plaid boots?
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Mark Stephenson,12-22-2009, 4:40PM
You are all among the stupidest people on Earth. The whole emphasis of the commercial was inarguably on the plaid shirts, and clothes over electronics for Christmas gifts. Only someone that personifies everything that is ailing segments of American society could think up something so utterly ridiculous. You probably watch a lot of E! network and call Hollywood stars by their first names, as if to imply that you know them personally. I don't have any more time to devote to explaining why this is fodder for idiots, because you wouldn't understand anyway.
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Floo,12-22-2009, 7:52PM
How are they "displayed prominently?" I could barely see them, it's not like they zoomed in or anything, and I never did notice any red laces. This is stupid.
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minka,12-22-2009, 4:40PM
UGHHH why, oh please tell me WHYwould anyone want to wear plaid, or in any way think it's sexy or in style? im serious, fashion is my thing and i dont believe even gap can start a lumberjack craze. ive lost all respect for them...oh wait a minute i never had respect for gap. their clothes tear after 1-2 washes
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nicole,12-22-2009, 4:53PM
Well obviously they aren't advertising the boots. You can barely see them anyway. The Gap is advertising the flannel shirts, if you haven't heard the song. Who cares, those boots are hideous anyways..
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Robert,12-22-2009, 5:01PM
Is this really news? The cardinal rule for styling a fashion shoot is to make it current and trendy, not to show your own merchandise if that is not the focus...in this case, boots were not the focus. The writer of this article really needs to research what they are saying.
O guess this is all for the sake of filling e-space. I'm guessing Ms. Sager has some connection at Barney's who decided to push this...should we look at all of Barney's advertising to make certain they carry everything on the models??? I'm guessing not.
Get a life, Ms. Sager.
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coscorron,12-22-2009, 5:18PM
I await the day that someone walks in while filming and shoots all those idiots. jk.
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Dannilda,12-22-2009, 5:09PM
I really do not think that GAP is actually advertising the boots so they could sell. Many companies do this all the time where to advertise one product, at the same time, they use the product from another company. I think that AOL is making is saying it in away that sounds exaggerate to attract readers' attention.
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poot,12-22-2009, 5:37PM
Hey, I liked a shirt a guy in an Ex-Lax commercial had on. WHAT??? Ex-Lax doesn't sell shirts? That commercial should only have pictures of runny diarrhea spraying out of naked butts!! We should all sue! I want that shirt!
Steve,12-22-2009, 5:13PM
Who would actually care about this? Amazing.
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Dannilda,12-22-2009, 5:13PM
I really do not think that GAP is actually advertising the boots so they could sell it. Many companies do this all the time where to advertise one of its products, at the same time, they use a product from another company. I think that AOL is making it in a way that sounds exaggerate to attract readers' attention, and people are falling for it.
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JP Stone,12-22-2009, 5:15PM
WTF? I loathe the Gap!!!
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maria,12-22-2009, 5:25PM
i dont understand what is the big deal . GAP is talking about shirts not boots......explain what is the big deal .....u cant even see the damn boots and if so it just shows u can wear expensive boots with a cheap shirt.....lol
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mick271,12-22-2009, 5:29PM
RU all idiots? the GAP DOES NOT SELL SHOES. EVER. are they supposed to be shoeless?
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mary,12-22-2009, 5:34PM
sure they look good, and maybe the gap should manufacture, and market their own line of shoes and boots. those shoes from barney's is Waaaaay out of my price range!
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Ed,12-22-2009, 5:47PM
I don't think the Gap sells shoes. Nor do Gap clones Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle, Aeropostal. They do sell flip flops. That is why in lots of these companies ads, the models wear flip flops. I understand employees at some of these stores are encouraged to wear flip flops for this reason. Flip flops wouldn't go with the whole "warm and cozy" thing.
No one would think twice if a jewelry company had an ad wear models wore Armani clothing. or a Nike ad wear models wore Levi jeans. Lighten up.
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kathy,12-22-2009, 5:55PM
really they are advertising flannels, not once does it say anything about the boots or the belts or the earrings or hairstyles ..
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Tankboy444,12-22-2009, 5:46PM
Uhm...guys? Anyone who shops at the GAP knows that they never had much of a shoe-market. Sure you can get a pair of flip-flops or deck shoes, once in a blue moon, but you don't go there for boots. The GAP did try the shoe thing, more than a decade ago, and it just didn't do well. Is this story about misleading advertising or about clueless shoppers?
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adman,12-22-2009, 7:06PM
Not a Merry Christmas for the GAP's Agency and Marketing people. Dumb and Dumber!
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