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The "new" Old Navy: Not a total betty, but a vast improvement

Tuesday, March 04, 2008


I was a little meh on Old Navy's recently relaunch – some of the ikat pieces were decent, but those tiny safari jumpsuits? In February? In khaki? Um, not so much. Still, the "new" Old Navy promises to churn out new looks with speedy regularity, and they've managed to make their next collection –- a preppy, patterned, Palm Beach-y selection -- way cuter.

They've brought back more of those insanely popular and incredibly adorable printed flats (now if only they could figure out how to make them *comfortable*!), plus some great vintage-y wooden handle clutch bags and fun printed shorts and dresses that you could imagine also being in J. Crew, for about 10 times the price. I'm not totally on board with everything – such as, if they'll now be unleashing new items with alarming frequency, couldn't they have saved the short shorts and jersey sundresses until, say, mid-April, and given us some more transitioning-into-spring midweight items instead? – but I definitely like some of these pieces and the prices are pretty fantastically low. And, dammit, even though I know those flats are not particularly comfy, I really want another pair.

Here's a few of the items that caught my eye; you can view the whole collection here.




They're constantly previewing what's coming next: looks like it’s a huge swing in the other direction with a boho/neutral palette/ethnic-y selection due in April. Hmmm. Well, stay tuned…

11 comments :

Elizabeth said...

I quite like the look of much of that. The clutch bag with the wood top is really, really cool! If only I could stand to use a clutch.

Anna said...

tee hee! No matter when, no matter where, a Clueless quote always makes my day! Love the clutch, the rest is a bit meh...

Anonymous said...

I have a pair of ON flats from fall, and while they look different, they eventually became comfortable once I stretched them out by dancing around in them...

As for the clutch, I went to look at them in store just the other day and they are definitely cute and huge! But, it doesn't actually look like they hold a lot. I think the opening is much smaller than the rest of the bag so you will be spending a lot of time rooting around looking for that buried, ringing cell phone. Still, I'd like to check out those shoes...

Ms. Spinach said...

i definitely think their model styling could use some updates -- it just doesn't quite gel together or make me want to run out to the stores. (Plus, that keyhole strapless top? Ew.)

I'm looking forward to seeing the other pieces in person though -- for $20, a pair of cute shoes or a bold clutch could be a great budget-friendly, feelin' springy accent.

Unfortunately, that might have to wait a while as there isn't a single Old Navy near downtown DC! It's highly annoying for those of us without cars who can't easily access suburbia. Grrrrr...

Righteous (re)Style said...

A lot of their sandals and flats are cute - but, alas, I have very high arches so they are incredibly uncomfortable (more than for a regular-footed person).

The only other thing is that I find Old Navy quality a little low - things fall apart pretty easily and the cuts are sloppy.

But, I do like the colorful bermuda shorts. And the prices are very accessible.

Joanna Goddard said...

am liking those shorts....thanks for the recommendation...

Anonymous said...

OMG nothing grabs my attention more forcefully than a clueless reference! And cheers to the shorts, I've been fantasizing about all the patterns I'll be trying out this spring.

Speaking of Clueless, I have to go renegotiate my mid-semester grades....

IMEDAGOZE said...

wow. they look so much better now than what I remembered.

Stacy said...

Gap and Old Navy have it rough. They just can't seem to get it together.

Fashion Tidbits said...

the clutch is darling!

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