The jeans seem to wear well - and are relatively tough - but they aren't the best cut jeans out there.
Their T-shirts are generally above average quality for the price - and cut reasonably well. The cheaper stuff is worth avoiding.
Banana Republic I have never "got". The wife loves it. But I just don't go for the styles on offer.
Some of the best quality T-shirts I have are the ones I bought via a friend for my racing - they cost about £3 each - and are good quality heavyweight cotton - and despite numerous washes haven't yet "twisted".
Just had a quick look & seen that BR & Gap have a range for women 5'9" & over so I am seriously tempted despite the shipping charges. It is so difficult to find trousers etc long enough here in Zurich.
Jelmoli catalogue and La Redoute do longer lengths, I order there.
The excessive shipping charges annoy me, when I buy stuff from the US on Etsy, they hardly ever charge more than USD 15, even if it's three t-shirts, and I have stuff within two weeks.
What a bummer, I can't believe the shipping fees...I think it might just be easier to ask someone to buy in the US, pack it and ship it, instead of the major shipping cost.
yes - the US only store has a storewide sale almost every month. If you order say USD200 worth of clothes, with 30% discount,the discount is USD60, which pays for the delivery already. Don't forget the swiss import duties though.
I just ordered two pair of jeans from Gap. Yes the shipping is a little pricey. With the shipping and VAT it cost me 97 chf per pair. For me that is a good deal. Considering the jeans you buy here are not sized for the big and tall guy. Here they would cost about 50 to 100 chf more for a lower quality pair of jeans. I will continue to buy some items from Gap.
I saw this the other day but GOOD GRIEF the shipping fees are enough to put you off. If you have someone who can bring it over for you, www.gap.eu deliver in the UK and have an introductory offer if you register and order before 9/10/10 - 15% off. Also applies to Banana Rep.
Also noticed that Zara start delivering in the UK from 2 September - fantastic and I'm hoping it also applies to their kids stuff.
I suddenly had a thought about Duty & VAT. Now this is interesting. What duty and VAT is this?
So I did a pretend shop for items worth Fr.399.90 (to make it worthwhile).
Shipping: 82.10
Duty & VAT:34.10
Total: 516.10
If I did the ship-to-friend in US thing and then US Postal, the I estimate the cost to be:
Post: 55
Swiss tax + admin: 50
Total cost is Fr.505.
So not much of a difference. Assuming that they are really talking about the Swiss Duty and VAT.
Even so, the only thing that makes a difference to me is the lack of sales discount for international sales. I have registered my e-mail with them now, lets see if they send any offers.
MusicChick, the big Zara that's connected to the Globus in Lausanne has a whole floor of kids' clothes. It's either the third or fourth floor, I can't remember.
Oh, I'll just have to pretend I didn't read this! Short doesn't always mean stocky -I think the preferred terms are robust, curvy, juicy-apple-like... or nearly anything else but stocky. Besides, I can't seem to find any clothes in CH NOT for 5'9" and above; when I hem my trousers I could nearly make a whole new pair with what's left over!
H&M: not bad for casual putter around the house stuff, but why oh why do they have either circus colours or potato sack hues? And I'm starting to feel ashamed when I see much, much younger folks wearing the same H&M outfit -ahh, to be young again.
GAP: robust kids clothes.
ZARA: agreed, nice kid's clothes (if you don't go deaf from whatever techno-punk-soul blasting through their speakers just as your baby is falling asleep in the wagon). Also, lots of stuff for girls, not as much for wee boys.
BODEN (UK): they're good for cardis, the odd dress or purse. A bit granny-mumsy otherwise.
JELMOLI: Hit & Miss I find. Seemingly up-scale but still catering to a younger very very thin crowd. They're latest best-seller is the butt push-up jeans which, and I translate loosely from German, gives you a "bubble butt effect". I rest my case.