Ask Angie: Banana Republic kick flares vs Gap - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask Angie: Banana Republic kick flares vs Gap

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I am ready to get my first fashion purchase this year. I decided that my jeans capsule needs some refreshment and kick flares are the way to go (I hope it will not regret this later )
I have ordered these kick flares from BR and quite like them. The only thing stopping me from cutting off the tags and wearing them to work tomorrow is that I am also considering kick flares from Gap. Unfortunately I have not been able to get to the store yet to try them on.
Angie, have you seen Gap kick flares in person? How do they compare with BR? Is it worth it to make an effort and check Gap jeans out or BR jeans are the way to go?

Thanks a lot!

Banana Republic

Resin Wash Crop Flare

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AUTHENTIC 1969 crop kick jeans

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AUTHENTIC 1969 crop kick jeans

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AUTHENTIC 1969 crop kick jeans

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40 replies

Latest reply was from Sveta

Gail

Veteran

Not going to be much help here but I did notice yesterday that Loft has the crop kick jeans also.
I tried on a white pair which I liked. the fabric was substantial, rise was was not too low and the length was correct. I am 5ft 5 and sometimes the length can be off for me. Did not buy as they have a sale on Sunday so will wait. Was in BR also but forgot to look for them there. I may try to go to Gap today and check them out. I tried on all my white jeans last night and many of them are just too low waisted and too tight for me this spring:( I need to replace and with something fresh.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Gail, I wish we have Loft where I live but we don't I hope you get them on sale this weekend!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

FWIW, I tried on the Loft version and did not like them as much as the BR ones. The fit was not as good on me. I'm not sure what that might mean for how they would work for you.

I haven't seen the Gap version, but they appear higher waisted in the stock photos. I'd say the BR are a medium rise. Not sure if that helps at all either.

BrieN

Veteran

I have tried the Gap, BR and the Loft kick flares. A lot of it comes down to your body type, and which pant is flattering on you. The Loft pants were the least flattering on me (I am 5'4" and round bodied). The Banana Republic pants are great looking. I ran into trouble with the back rise being too low and I was very sad to return them. I had great luck with the Gap white but am still on the fence about the same pant in the darker denim..something about that particular pant is making me pause.

Colette

Veteran

I received the Gap crop flares in white last week, I really like them and recommend them. I'm 5' 4 1/4", pear shaped with average proportions and I ordered my normal size but in petite for a shorter fit. I tried the BR crops last fall but couldn't get the right fit so I passed.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the feedback!
BrieN, thanks for the back rise tip. I need to test BR jeasn more to ensure this is not a problem for me.
Colette, I think I will get the white Gap kick flares a try. I was on the fence if I should go with regular or tall in them. I think I will go with the regular as shorter length is easier to wear in spring / summer when booties are out.
Janet, it is nice to know that BR jeasn fit you well. We have similar thighs so this is encouraging. However as you are short waisted and I am not I need to test the back rise more.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I'll be looking to see how they work for you! I'm beginning to shop for the same item myself, but I'm not sure how the proportions will work for me, and I doubt I'll be able to size up (at least in the store) if I want more ease.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

BR, and size down. Better fit on your calves.

Colette

Veteran

I hope the white works out for you! I pounced on them early because I have such a difficult time finding white jeans that don't look horrible on me. I have hips, thighs and jiggly bits that white doesn't usually flatter. FYI, I ordered the petite because the inseam listed hit approx two inches above the top of my ankle bone and for the warmer weather I wanted them in that range. Also my normal Gap size in jeans is a size down from what I wear in premium denim like Paige, JBrand, etc.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

And this is the one to get:

Banana Republic

Resin Wash Crop Flare

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Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Beth Ann, I will definitely let you know. Good luck with your hunt!
Angie, I have both 30 and 31 at home now. I think 31 fits better but now you got me thinking.. size 30 felt too tight but maybe they stretch a lot?
and what do you mean "better fit on my calves"? Should I be after less flare rather than mpre in this style? My calves are pretty big so they fit me with much less flare than the model in the picture in both sizes..
I will try to take pictures tonight and post them...
Colette, you do give me hope for white flares from Gap

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I bet the size 30 is better. These need to be quite snug. And the BR's have a wider flare which is better on your calves.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Angie, these are the ones I have! I have also tried a medium wash pair but it fits tighter and I liked the dark ones better.
Unfortunately I have gained a bit of weight since last fall ( ) so I may need to go with 31 - but I will post the pictures for you to look
Do they stretch a lot as far as you know?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

YES, they stretch, and YES the lighter wash is smaller.

Cerinda

Veteran

Be ready to size down on the Gap ones. And the regular length may well be right for you (I've got to hem mind).

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Finding this very interesting, I have my normal size and a size up at home at the moment, and am about to order two sizes up! The reviews all say to size up a size or two as well. My normal size fits, I just don't like HOW it fits... certainly not like the model. I feel very lumpy in them. Maybe they just aren't for me.

I might try the Gap ones as well, esp the white.

Looking forward to seeing you in yours...

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Elozabeth, do you have the dark wash or medium wash in BR jeans? I found that medium wash is at least 1.5 sizes smaller that the dark wash.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

The resin wash, the one Angie recommends.

MTBGirl

Veteran

Sveta I have the dark resin wash also, tags removed. I find the rise a little short for me but will make do. I tried the Loft white curvy cropped flares and they were so tight in the knee and calf that I could not even think of wearing them. (I exchanged them for the flare trouser jeans (ha!) which I love and am wearing today)

Jules

Veteran

Oh Sveta, the damage you do to my credit card
Based on Colette's endorsement I ordered the white kick crop flares... And a few other items. To try with my shoeme order. Naturally.

Gail

Veteran

Wow I must have REALLY gained weight ! I had to go up not one but TWO sizes in the Gap kick crops for them to be comfortable. In the Loft ones I went up one size. I still have not made it to BR to try theirs on. So far I have the white from Loft and both white and a denim pair from Gap. Hope to get the BR ones and then have a major try on. The Loft ones were kind of sausage like on my thighs. Will be munching on a lettuce leaf and kale today :((

Tanya

Veteran

To complicate the matter further, Express ones are back in stock:
http://www.express.com/clothin.....cat1910084

Angie and I have these, as well as some other fabbers. I know that Express pants fit you well, so this might be a good option, plus they have promos very often.

Dark Mid Rise Bell Crop Jean

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Janet

(website)

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Gail, don't despair! It really probably is the pants. I've been having the same crisis lately trying dresses. Tried to squeeze into a couple of size 10s and was thinking OMG I must have gained a ton, only to realize that the size 6 that is in my closet from two years ago still fits fine.

Sizing is whack right now. Don't let the number get you down.

Anonymous

Janet is right - these jeans, as well as so many other things out there right now - are , well, whacked in terms of size. I can't even get the BR ones over my thighs in a size I wasn't even wearing when I was pregnant, yet my size 28's from two years ago (also BR) are fine. The GAP ones fit me much, much better and in a 'normal" size. Whatever that means. It's too bad that there is zero consistency in BR sizing and fit now. They used to be reliable in everything to do with fit, quality and sizing.

Beth Ann

Veteran

So glad I came back to this thread. I tried on the Loft KCF (kick cropped flares is hard to type), and the fit was too snug in the 14. Even though all of my older pants from there still fit fine. I also realized that I will want a more "deliberate" flare. Some of them are calf sucking on me. Unfortunately, my local BR didn't have these int he store.

BrieN

Veteran

You reminded me -- the loft "flares" absolutely were calf sucking on me too! Very odd.

Gail

Veteran

Ok update here.
I liked the dark wash BR ones and my regular size fitted, my only pause is that they may be a little longer than I would like. I bought them and also ordered a size up in the petite so will be able to decide. I will return the pairs I got from the Gap they are good around my behind and waist but a bit big on my thighs . The white ones from Loft I am still deciding on , they are a bit tight on my thighs. Anyone seen the BR ones in white yet ?
Size info: the Gap size 29, Loft size 28, BR size 27
Hows that for consistency NOT !!

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Gail, it is definitely not you! BR crops fit me in size 30 and in white GAP kick flares I had to size up to 32! 31 was too snug, especially for white but 32 did not fit well at all so they stayed in the store.
I really like BR ones. I still have not decided between 30 and 31 so I kept both for now and will try to decide on the size. However after BR jeans GAP kick flares just looked blah to me - BR quality and fit is so much better. I really hope BR makes them in white in the same fit as the Resin wash (as Medium wash ran smaller).
I also tried on the girlfriend jeans which Angie has and recommended. Alas - they are not friendly to those of us with "athletic" claves- they were totaly calf-sucking on me! I guess kick flares are a godsend for our calves!:-)
Tanya, thanks for the tip on Express jeans, I will check if our store has them!
Elizabeth, of course I have an opposite probelm - BR jeans are on the short side for me. However I like them like this, especially for warmer weather as they are more flattering with flats at this length

Banana Republic

Resin Wash Crop Flare

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AUTHENTIC 1969 crop kick jeans

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Colette

Veteran

Sveta, thanks for the update. I'm going to try the BR's again because they didn't work for me last year and revisit the Gap crops to make sure I had my glasses on when I tried them. I don't understand how we can have such different fit experiences? Well I do, but it still surprises me.

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