barneys boots

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.