On Friday afternoon, the door buzzed. ‘Who could that be?’ I wondered…it was the FedEx guy, with an unexpected package from the Gap. Inside were these shoes, I squealed like a little girl. Could it be? The Gap has these shoes, that I love? Look at the bow, the dainty flowers, the nude wedge. Wow.
I’m one who’s always gave designer collaborations the side-eye, until closer inspection. Made with a leather upper, and soft canvas, these Pierre Hardy for Gap wedges are indeed special. Walking around the apartment in them, they were quite comfortable, as most wedges are, making for the perfect summer shoe for the days when you want to be dressed up wearing some kind of heel, but don’t want to actually wear a crazy heel. My favorite part about these is the bows… those bows. They are very special, I’m going to be sad send them back (I’m trying to develop a no-gifting policy for The Coveted…it’s been very hard, very hard…these blog days have been beautiful and strange, I’m torn…what do you think?).
These limited edition wedges go on sale today, retailing at $110.
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I don’t know. I would have a hard time turning such cute shoes down if they arrived on my doorstep.
.-= shauna´s last blog ..Summer in the City =-.
yeah, i don’t want to let them go either…
Oh, keep the shoes! You work hard on your blog, I think accepting the occasional unsolicited gift is fine. Just have a clear policy for companies that if they send you something 1) you do not promise to review it and 2) if you do review it, you do not promise a positive review, just an honest one. And of course, as you already do, disclose that it was a gift if you post about it. Then, if you want to balance out your karma, occasionally offer up some of the gifts through contests or random drawings, and share your good luck!
yeah, i always give honest reviews, sometimes the PR’s don’t like it as much. i just have to wonder about all the gifting out there, i know i’m blogging for the ‘right’ reasons, but it’s hard for an opinion not to be swayed. that said… i do love the things i buy myself than the ones gifted by PRs.
do not send them back
1. they are cute & 2. they were a gift, they didn’t ask for anything in return did they? they may EXPECT something in return, but that’s their problem…
.-= grechen´s last blog ..analyzing your blog’s statistics =-.
no…they said they are mine to keep. and they weren’t expecting, i really do love these. thanks for your perspective, it means a lot.
Love those shoes, they are great and as for disclosure it was obvious from what you wrote that they were an unsolicited gift, and you should feel no guilt about it…..keep them. But if your really moving to no gifting maybe place that somewhere in your Ad/About Us page. I wish the GAP had my address LOL.
By the way I didn’t see them on the website yet, are you sure the debut today?
.-= Kasey´s last blog ..Nailed It: Fade To Pink =-.
yeah, i’m going to change that segment in my ad page, i need to generally update it anyway.
i’ waiting to hear back from the PR about when they go on sale, i can’t find them either!
you love them. I can see that so keep them it is not like your were advertising for an item you don’t appreciate. I belive readers are capable to understand that. I certainly do.
moreover, they ARE lovely
http://www.iletaitunefoisundressing.com/
.-= dreamylacey´s last blog ..Revue STELLA FOREST =-.
that’s good to know, though i do wonder about the readers who don’t comment, who aren’t bloggers…. i wonder if they know how it works.
Why no gifts???? Haha I could NEVER have the self-restraint you just displayed. Kudos. xx
well, i just have to wonder about how it really effects the editorial content. i want to say that i’m honest about it, and i do my best, but what if there is something subconscious?
wait whaaaaaaaa did I read that right? You want to send these shoes back?? A no gifting policy?? You’ve worked so hard on this blog; why not accept these lovely gifts?? I’ve got to respect your modesty…but we’re all humans who can indulge a little. :b
.-= Lucy´s last blog ..American Apparel Brings More More More =-.
haha, thanks.
i’m not really one with self restraint though. not much at all.
these just popped up in tavi’s mail as well..I wouldn’t send them back. You gave an honest opinion of them, and there really is no reason to have to return them. You were not writing the article in exchange for the shoe. A close friend used to work for “cough” magazine, and this is common practice. Dozens of products come in daily, nothing is really ever returned, and it is tested and reviewed fairly (and not everything even makes it into the magazine, that doesn’t stop designers from sending). You did that, you should keep them.
yeah, it would be interesting to get word from an editor of a fashion magazine about this. i’m going to see about this for a story on IFB.
KEEP THEM. Please. Do it for the rest of us. : ) They are so cute!
.-= fashion butter´s last blog ..Facelift. No knife required … just a needle and thread =-.
you are so nice.
Can you do a re-gifting policy? Send them to me! I love them.
.-= Nathalie´s last blog ..pret-a-manger =-.
I don’t know, I wouldnt where them personally but I have seen them all round the blogging world and im liking them more everytime!
- Adelemoltocuriosa.com
.-= Adele joanna´s last blog ..Henry Holland =-.
I say keep them too! I’d love to hear more about why you have a ‘no gifting’ policy… but it’s just one of the perks to your job! Like people have been saying, just be true and honest about reviews if you do them
. Every job has it’s perks- why not embrace them??
.-= PAPERFASHION´s last blog ..INFASHUATED =-.
yeah, i’m just questioning where things are going in the blogging world right now, and with my own self. how the gifting works, the exchange for clothing, the unsaid expectations..the pressure to have new stuff all the time on the blog. it’s all so much. i have been thinking about taking a break from it for a while, but it’s like i’m afraid of missing out. the whole thing is complicated.
that makes sense… whatever keeps blogging happy and fun to you
. i still vote you keep these particular shoes though, they seem so fitting!! one new thing once in a while doesn’t hurt!
.-= PAPERFASHION´s last blog ..INFASHUATED =-.
I don’t really understand these things… How does it work? So The Gap has sent you the shoes, you’ve given them a link (= free advertising), what’s the difference now if you send the shoes back? Please excuse if this sounds blunt, but I’m rather new at blogging and I keep reading about how companies ‘feed’ bloggers to use them as free advertisers. I understand we all need to make our individual decisions and obviously no one has ever sent anything to me for free… But in the end I think I agree with the former commentators – Why not keep them.?
.-= Sabine´s last blog ..Comfortable Monday: Harem Trousers =-.
it’s not ‘advertising’ it’s ‘editorial’ content. they do get a link, but i would give these shoes a link if i bought them myself. and yes, companies do feed bloggers attention and ‘free’ stuff in exchange for links and SEO purposes. it’s crazy how it works. on the other hand, we get an opportunity to create content for our readers. i’m not sure if it’s a symbiotic of parasitic relationship at this point…and i’m not going to pretend to know.
i think this is a great idea for another post on ifb…but i really think it all depends on the blogger and her audience. it’s only parasitic if you allow it to be – if you don’t recognize your own value and you allow the company to take advantage of you and your traffic…
.-= grechen´s last blog ..analyzing your blog’s statistics =-.
yeah, i just need to get fashion editors to spill the beans because that’s what the current attitude towards gifting seems to stem from.
That’s true, it’s totally from fashion magazines. It’s just easier to track this way.
.-= verhext´s last blog ..old fashioned cake =-.
I agree with Sabine – keep the shoes! Especially if you like them. They’re making a move by sending them, hoping you’ll post about them. This has been going on for a long time – WAY before the web. It’s business, that’s all – KEEP THE SHOES
.-= Jean V. Pratt´s last blog ..dressed for dinner =-.
keep them! don’t worry hun we wont judge you! if I got sent those i would NEVER let them go… take it as a gift for all your hard work on your blog making all us girls happy!
It seems silly to send them back. You’ve already (sort of) promoted them w/ the pics. Plus they can’t resell them because you wore them.
They are lovelyyyyyy!
tweet tweet tweet
x
.-= Clare´s last blog ..Hunter (nothing to do with wellies…) =-.
you should keep ‘em! i’ve had my pierre hardy’s for gap (in the same color/different model) for the past year and they’re still my absolute favorites. just think of all the different ribbon combos you can switch them up with.
also, you have the cutest little toes
)
Um, KEEP EM! Or send them to me.
I’m a 7.
.-= Nickie Frye´s last blog ..vintage 70′s Lion and Giraffe Print Dress =-.
I totally understand your intentions about wanting a no gifting policy, and how changes in the blogosphere are making you consider it. BUT–that being said… it was a gift. With no expectations, no exchanges for SEO optimized links. From the bloggers I’ve seen these on, it seems like Gap tried hard to send them to bloggers whose aesthetic they’d match, rather than just sending them to any “big blogger” for press… can you imagine Gala or the Queens at KoS in them? I can’t much either, but they DO seem very you….
.-= Ashe Mischief´s last blog ..Developing Your Wardrobe Palette {part 1} =-.
Also, HI, if there were only gift I could EVER receive ONE TIME ONLY on my blog, I’d want it to be a fab pair of shoes…
.-= Ashe Mischief´s last blog ..Developing Your Wardrobe Palette {part 1} =-.
Why not keep them? Why give them the publicity for free? Keep the things you like, and write about honestly, and send back crap you don’t like, and don’t mention it. Or donate it!
Also, how do they know your size? Do they have sneaky elves?
.-= verhext´s last blog ..old fashioned cake =-.
Also I would like to note that I am WILDLY jealous, because I want them badly but $110 is too much for shoes I don’t need right now. Ahhhhh wedding planning. Sigh.
.-= verhext´s last blog ..old fashioned cake =-.
I agree with everyone else Jennine. But I also completely understand and respect your idea of returning them. I know I’ve had a couple emails to receive free stuff, and I’ve ignored them because I wouldn’t want to feel pressured to blog about the items, even though I know I’d be completely honest in my post. I personally think it’s a bit odd to receive free stuff unannounced if you had never blogged about that particular item to begin with. For instance, if I went on and on about how much I loved the Vivienne Westwood pirate boots but couldn’t afford to buy my own pair, I would definitely be the happiest blogger ever if a pair in my size (9.5US!) magically appeared on my doorstep. I’d feel much more comfortable accepting a gift, whether I blogged about it afterward or not, if I had previously blogged about it (or at least about the brand).
Anyway, try to remember why you began the blog, and stick to what you want to do with the blog. Like if you only want to post once or twice a week, I’m sure all us loyal readers would very happily read whatever new Coveted posts come our way. And if you need to take a break, just take some pictures so we can see your lovely ‘break outfits’.
.-= Steff´s last blog ..One leg at a time =-.
Those are fabulous shoes! I would keep them if I were you…as long as you are honest about your opinions, and not just writing for the perks, there is no reason to not enjoy a free something or other. If you sent them back, they would probably be thrown out anyways!
adore!!!!!
.-= Vyque´s last blog ..Knit Jogging Style Shorts =-.
These shoes are beyond adorable! I wonder if they could get shipped to Australia…
.-= Lola´s last blog ..Startup Monday: Whiteboards and retro phones… =-.
ya dude, i’ve been obsessed since i saw them via twitter. i keep checking the gap site but they are no where to be found. DYING! MUST BUY!!
xx.
Christina
.-= Christina of Profresh Style´s last blog ..What is going on? IFB & Chictopia Controversy =-.
The consensus appears to be ‘Keep the shoes’ and I agree. They are lovely.
.-= MarchMusings´s last blog ..This is me # 5 – Black or white =-.
Keep them! If you weren’t asked for a positive review but it was a gift – accept and say what you will! Sigh. Gorgeous!
.-= Chic ‘n Cheap Living´s last blog ..Photo Love: Dancing Fools =-.
noooooo, don’t give them up! they’re perfect. I understand your concerns about gifts but from what I can tell Gap has been sending out these superb wedges to a select few bloggers simply because they felt they would get an honest review and because they felt they would go perfectly well with the blogger’s style, without asking for anything in return. I would totally keep them and wear them non stop.
.-= skinny buddha´s last blog ..etude de la structure etrange =-.
I think you are right to send them back – I think no gifting is the right thing to do. Could you ask them if you can pay for them or as an alternative donate the equivalent to the RED charity or another one. You’ve been honest about the fact you like them on their own merits. I have a pair of Pierre Hardy shoes from Gap his first collaboration and they are the best buy I ever made.
.-= Make Do Style´s last blog ..Project 100 – first things first =-.
I ADORE those! My gosh, I’ll have to swing by the Gap on my way home!
.-= Sally´s last blog ..This Week I Love … =-.
Adorable shoes! I’m on board with everyone else — as long as you disclose things that are given to you, and know that you’re being honest in your reviews, no harm in keeping things, IMO.
I LOVE THOSE SHOES!!!!
smiles,
gina
.-= hiyaluv´s last blog ..Dion Lee at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week 2010 =-.
Amazing shoes they so perfectly fit your style I love them!!!!
I have to agree with what looks like most of the commenters… Keep them. I don’t think it’s wrong to get a gift and keep it if you really like it, as long as you’re honest about it, which you are.
.-= Julia, the Thanksgiving Girl´s last blog ..It’s the Simple Things In Life We Forget =-.
Hey!
Do you have any idea when these shows will be online? I have called all of the Gaps in NYC and apparently they are not getting this line in stock. I had read that they would launch on Gap.com on the 10th but nothing has popped up yet!
If you have any info, I would really appreciate if you could let me know.
Thank you!!!
-Elisa
Oh no! I must have missed out on them- they’re not online anymore! Fabulous shoes- the floral colors are also versatile that you can wear them with many pieces/styles!
Dear Jennine, thank you for answering my question. I’m really thinking a lot about this issue, and it is consoling to hear that a professional and experienced blogger like you hasn’t got the ultimate answer to this, either. You are totally right about the editorial bit, in the end our blogs are about fashion. x
.-= Sabine´s last blog ..Sweaty Tuesday or More Trackies =-.
I applaud you sticking to your no-gifting guns, and out of respect for your feelings, humbly ask that you send those my way…you know…to even out the blog-karma…as it were… =P
They’re so cute. So, so cute.
Hi, I’m back. Just wanted to give a shout out to these shoes I got from Old Navy. They are sort of similar, in that they also have a fabric ankle tie. I wore them today for the first time & they are pretty comfy. Only $30. http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=55150&vid=1&pid=729656&scid=729656012
.-= Nickie Frye´s last blog ..vintage Men’s Embroidered Western Shirt L =-.
you should keep the shoes jennine
Eventhough all the bloggers blogged about the shoes, no one at Gap even heard of this launch! I called Gap.com, Gap stores in San Francisco (their flagship store), Los Angeles…no luck. Even the managers don’t know anything about them. Are you sure it’s even in the stores or Gap.com? I’ve been searching since the launch date and almost every few hours, but Gap.com never updated their site!
I think what it really comes down to is that you like them, so you posted about them. If you didn’t like them, you would either not post about them at all, or post about what what wrong with them. Either way, I feel more informed about the shoes than if I hadn’t heard about them at all, because you have given your personal opinion on them.
I think you should keep them. Or give them to me…what size are you anyways? I’m willing to trade
When it comes to shoes I’m shameless….SHAMELESS I tell ya!
.-= AngieMontreal´s last blog ..Maximum Fringe Necklace – Fuschia, Navy, Grey – Silver =-.
these are way too fabulous to be sent back! give them the home they deserve!
Hmmm…a footwear conundrum! Enforcing a no gifts policy seems to be getter harder and harder but you’ve worn them, so keep ‘em…think of it as good hygiene!
.-= Imelda Matt´s last blog ..SAINT AUGUSTINE DRAWS BLOOD =-.
I’ve been thinking about this – you should NOT be burdened with paying for shipping to return anything. If they were PR freebies maybe give them away/donate but there is no way a blogger should be shelling out on postage – that punishes the blogger!
.-= MJ´s last blog ..Small Notes on Taste =-.
I am cool with accepting gifts as long as you disclose that it was a gift. I think it’s then up the reader to decide if you they agree with your review or think it is a biased description. Transparency is key
ps just ordered the Hardy for Gap flats. I was tempted by the wedges, but already bought two pairs of wedges for this summer and thought I should cool it a bit! I got the 39 and I hope the size chart is accurate…
Well you’ve sold me. I’m so ordering a pair. Love the look, will wear them to work next week.
Wow, those shoes are really cute!
.-= Hedy´s last blog ..Frugal tip: Try the shoemaker to save a shoe =-.
So I got the shoes in the mail today. Sadly they weren’t everything I imagined. Also, I wear a size 10. Shoes can look really beautiful on smaller feet and then you ask for a size 10 and there goes the delicate beauty!
.-= Aja´s last blog ..Uma – Arto Lindsay =-.
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