Ah, Gap. You’re like spring sunshine to my soul. You’re the happy trumpet jazz song playing in the distance. When clothing gets overwhelming or too complicated or uninspired, turning to Gap is my comfortable safe space.
I wandered into a Gap store recently and pulled a few pieces into the dressing room with me. I didn’t intend for them to be outfits, but each piece wore so well with one another that I couldn’t help but think Gap is out here making it so easy for us. And how many retailers can we say that of?! I honestly can’t think of many.
7 Pieces From Gap That Are Even Better In Real Life
My favorite piece, a bit surprisingly, were these Runaround Cargos from their GapFit line. I don’t have a ton of experience with their athletic clothes, but the combination of how these pants fit and feel was an instant 10/10. They were also the piece that was hardest to style up in just the dressing rooms alone, but they DID come home with me, so you’ll be seeing more of them soon (wink, wink).
As for the rest of what I tried, I was happily surprised by each item. Surprised because they wore so much better in real life than I had originally expected from seeing online. Each piece is comfortable, light, and versatile for all the various weather that Spring can bring.
Spring Outfit 1: Wide-Leg Ankle Khakis + Linen Boyfriend Shirt
The looser and comfier pants get, the less I personally feel a need for them to be of a certain length. A year ago, when we were first bracing the huge divide that was skinny/straight leg jeans into baggy, I was searching relentlessly for a full length that pooled around my shoes. But now I’m loving ALL the lengths, as long as it’s in that comfy, looser silhouette we’ve come to love.
Gap’s High Stride Wide Leg Ankle Khakis are so good – comfier than I imagined, available in spring-perfect hues, and the ankle cut feels decidedly fresh.
I was pleasantly surprised to find this striped linen top in person. I’ve been a longtime fan of Gap’s Linen Boyfriend Shirt, but was hesitant of the pastel colors on the website. The stripes are actually more vibrant in real life which felt a lot more fun and less, uhm, old fashioned. This top immediately takes your everyday comfort outfit to a brighter, seasonal level.
Spring Outfit 2: Wide-Leg Ankle Khakis + Shrunken Roll Neck Sweater
pants (8) | sweater (L) | flats
I didn’t realize I needed yellow pants in my life until I saw how happy every top looked with them (or maybe how happy I felt wearing them). Gap’s Shrunken Roll Neck Sweater is another that is so freaking good in person.
pants (8) | sweater (L) | flats
The sweater is really well made, has an appealing cropped length that is just right and accentuated by extra long sleeves. The only problem is every color is damn near perfect and I stood in front of the display for far too long wondering which one to try on.
Everything about this top was done right, from the roll neck detailing to the pretty shoulder stitching, and that waist-flattering wide bottom hem. WELL DONE, Gap.
Spring Outfit 3: Linen-Cotton Cargo Pants + Sweater Jacket
pants (M) | sweater (M) | flats
Funny enough, I have a few linen cargo pants I found last season that were quite a bit more expensive, and yet not nearly as good as these. They have the perfect laid back, airy swing to them, but read very stylish and intentional when worn, especially when paired with a piece like Gap’s Textured Sweater Jacket.
pants (M) | sweater (M) | flats
The only caveat is that I would have loved to try the tall inseam (of which are never stocked in stores). I think the pants would have laid even better, and I wouldn’t have felt inclined to wear them as low as I did here.
The Sweater Jacket is one of my favorite pieces Gap has put out over the last few years, I own the boucle version from last year and wear it constantly. These types of structured sweaters can be worn in what feels like a thousand ways: open over a tank, closed all alone, layered over a fitted tee with only the top button fastened, styled with just the middle button closed and allowing your skin or a tee to peek out…
Spring Outfit 4: Linen-Cotton Cargo Pants + Utility Big Shirt
Even with Gap’s Linen-Cotton Cargo Pants being exaggerated in shape, they seem to camouflage well with whatever top is being worn. I love how they look with an oversized button-up, making for a very streetwear chic moment.
Gap’s Utility Shirt was a big surprise. I saw it online and didn’t think twice about it, but in person? Something is so gorgeously attractive to it. There’s a slight sheen in real life, and the fabric is incredibly lightweight (and dare I say super soft?!) which would make it an amazing option to stay covered up in warmer weather.
And, of course, a button up like this could be styled multiple ways, making it heavily versatile in a spring closet!
Spring Outfit 5: Cargo Joggers + Sweater Jacket
joggers (M) | sweater (M) | flats
Last but not least, the joggers I fell in love with from first touch. They are impossibly lightweight, swooshy without actually making noise, and make you feel like you could knock off a week’s worth of to-do lists in one day.
I would maybe even run in these? Which I’ve never considered doing so in any pants that aren’t skin tight.
joggers (M) | sweater (M) | flats
I was delighted to find that the regular inseam was the perfect length for me, too (which means the tall inseam will actually extend into heights much taller than 5’10”).
joggers (M) | sweater (M) | flats
The Sweater Jacket isn’t my top choice for pairing with the joggers, but I was surprised by how I didn’t hate it, either. It made me incredibly intrigued to see what else these joggers could pair with, outside of the obvious lounge tee. I think a proper style post dedicated to these pants is in order, yes? 😉
Psst – if you’re looking for more colors of my favorite flats seen styled with these spring outfits, don’t miss checking them out at Nordstrom. They don’t carry this pink color, but they do have 9 (!!) others that are amazing.
Xx,
Amy
Let’s be friends! Sharing life from a California beach town, daily style & beauty faves, and never-ending Taylor Swift dance-athons…all with a good dose of adorable toddler content, too.
I bought those runaround cargos, and the wide leg ones, this weekend – I am in love! The cargos need a tee or a cropped sweatshirt to show them off. The wide leg pants can go with anything from a tee to dressy. The fabric and fit are amazing.
The striped sweater looks so great on you! Also sunny or pale yellow is my favorite for summer tops! I love it with jean shorts because it makes me think of sun and sea 😉
Great post, Amy! I am also loving all of Gap’s things lately. Recent favorites: high rise, wide leg cargo jeans, carpenter jeans, and the patchwork jeans that Shana posted a while ago are adorable.