Our friends over at Refinery 29 usually have pretty impeccable taste, but this headline, “New Pierre Hardy for Gap Shoes Send Us Into Cardiac Arrest, Almost,” gave us pause. When Amelia sent me the link, I was practically salivating: This shiz is gonna be AH-MAY-ZING! (I had plenty of time to anticipate this due to an unusually slow internet connection this afternoon, but I digress…) The post opened and can we just say, UN-DER-WHELMED? Yikes! While I’m glad that the Refinery editors are loving this moment so much, we’re not feeling the same way on this end. In fact, these shoes are taking us back to late ‘90s prom (those crappy-looking heels!), and the boots are waaay too Jenny from the Block, like in a really bad way, before J.Lo’s whole style evolution. Plus, the combination of sweaty-looking, fold-over wool and outrageously high platforms will make you look that much sillier when it’s snowy out and you topple over in these heinosities. I rarely rip collabs (nothing good to say, don’t say it), but I can’t not speak up here. Looks like yet another case of designers cashing their big checks and dropping the ball on producing something we’d actually like to wear. Anyone? Am I taking crazy pills here or are these major no bueno? [Refinery 29]

It’s no secret that the Gap has been struggling in recent years to keep up profits and keep the attention of buyers. The denim giant may be doing worse than we thought because rumors have begun circulating that Uniqlo is considering purchasing the business. While at first this takeover would seem unlikely (Uniqlo’s presence in the United States is nowhere near as strong as the Gap’s), Uniqlo actually comes from a rather strong empire called Fast Retail, founded in 1984 by Tadashi Yanai. Yanai reportedly has been looking for new ways to break into the American fashion market. So what would a Gap under Uniqlo regime look like? We have to admit that we’d be interested to find out. [PSFK]

Finding cute workout clothes can be a challenge, especially when you don’t want to shell out for those designer Stella McCreditcardmaxout lines. New from the Gap Group: Athleta, a line of workout clothing for women that’s affordable and attractive. We’re not going to say the styles are to-die-for, but it’s worth checking out. You can shop by sport, which doesn’t just include your basic yogawear and running gear, but also covers ski/snowboarding, golf, and hiking. In the mix you’ll find bra-tanks in punchy colors, skirt-capris, patterned performance swimsuits that are the anti-Speedo, and nylon tennis dresses. There are some crazy prints that vary from loud graphic flowers to hippie mendi designs that you may want to be cautious about wearing. At least you can say they’re not boring! [Athleta]

It’s certainly not enough that Vena Cava designers Lisa Mayock and Sophie Buhai are all over The Gap—now they’ll be available to Vena Cava aficionados everywhere with their very own blog, VivaVenaCava.blogspot.com. (And speaking of that Gap capsule collection, want some straight from the designers styling tips? They go all goth here.) According to Fashion Week Daily, Maylock and Buhai plan to post pretty much whatever they would have normally emailed around to their friends—anything from fashion to travel to textiles. Yippee! [Viva Vena Cava]

Every year, the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalists re-interpret a classic for Gap. The last couple years, they rethought white shirts. This year, it’s khaki that’s getting a makeover. Our favorite from the collection—though we’d wear them all—is design duo Vena Cava’s khaki zip dress. This certainly ain’t your mama’s chino. [$88, Gap]

Most of the time, I love being an adult. I can decide when to go to bed (or not),  eat an entire package of Sour Patch Kids at the movie theater before dinner, and wear skirts of questionable length. But, every now and then, I wish I were a kid again. Not for the lack of responsibilities or months-long summer vacations, but for the clothes. Today, Stella McCartney announced she’s launching a collection for GapKids and babyGap later this year. If only I could shrink down a bit, I could sport Stella’s designs for less than a gazillion dollars! Here’s what else rocks about shopping in the kids department.

Seersucker: it’s crisp, it’s WASPy and it’s the perfect print to wear as you chase the Kennedy grandkids out of your heirloom tomato patch. Or pretend to, at least. Anyone and everyone can wear seersucker—ideally with no small amount of irony. Here’s four looks we like:

1. Perfect your “I feel for the working class” face underneath this sappy newsboy cap. (No one needs to know you actually are the working class.) [$19.50, Gap]
2. This summer you’ll need a cotton cocktail dress—just be warned Grandmother may not approve of that halter top. Really, what would the Junior League think? [$26.99, Charlotte Russe]
3. A pink one-piece with a flirty flower at the breastbone is the perfect bathing suit for sunbathing on the dock. [$76, J.Crew]
4. Nothing says preppy like a blazer, especially one with three-quarter sleeves. It’s ideal for buttoning up over last night’s walk of shame outfit—oops!—when you simply must make an appearance at the lawn games on Sunday. [$89, L.L.Bean]

Images from Gap.com, L.L.Bean.com, JCrew.com and CharlotteRusse.com.

Count the models—nine out of 12 of them are blonde. Is the Gap banking on blonde hair getting them through the recession?

Just when I thought I had dodged my biological clock, something comes around, tugs at my heart strings and makes my vag tingle.  Ugh, the nerve! Well, even the black soul of a satisfied single gal cannot resist the charms of Jason Bateman and his adorable 21 month old daughter, Francesca in this holiday GAP ad. How cute are they?! I’ve fallen for the Bait-man, hook line and sinker.  What is it about a guy and a baby? Simply irresistible! Okay dudes, if you’re listening, forget fancy cars, Axe body spray, and pumping iron—the hottest girl attention grabber is a little bundle of joy. Jason Bateman is clearly a babe.  [Celebrity Baby Scoop]

Reader Darlene snapped this while trying on some clothes at a Gap in Boston.

Have you seen graffiti that’s kind of sweet (even if it is against the law)? Send your pic to tips@thefrisky.com.