A SHOE WITH THE GYM BUILT-IN??

FitFlops are billed as a flip flop with a gym built in. I figured it was just one more advertising ploy but the $49.00 price tag for what appeared to be a regular flipflop made me do a bit of investigating.
Manufactured in the UK the shoe was developed by biomechanists at the Centre For Human Performance at London's South Bank University. They claim the shoe improves core muscle strength, absorbs shock on feet, knees, and back along with strengthening and toning muscles in the feet, legs, stomach, and buttocks.
Well that was enough for me. Core strength is key for success in ballet and mine is still not up to speed. Those FitFlops had my name on them except that they were completely sold out at my local branch of Macy's. Want morphed in to need and so trying not to think about the gas involved,I drove to the next nearest department store where I found them although not in the silver or bronze that I had in mind.
The FitFlop contains a unique softer mid sole, engineered to recreate the gait of barefoot walking but with a built in microwobbleboard workout enhancing effect. Most important, I found them to unbelievably comfortable. After years of running and ballet my feet have been screaming for relief. I was one step away from the podiatrist's office after suffering for the past year with a self diagnosed Morton's Neuroma and the beginning of a bunion on my big toe. In search of comfort I was changing shoes on the average of five times a day. I decided to test the FitFlop by wearing them around the house at first. They felt good, so much so that I forgot to change to my sneakers when I took the dog out for a walk and didn't even realize it until after I had all but sprinted up a steep hill. After a half hour walk I didn't feel the need to kick them off when I returned home but I did read the rest of the promotional material which among other things promised increased speed of movement and a faster and more energy expending walk.
Well that explained my quick assent up the hill. My excitement over this shoe is mounting. Now if only they help strengthen my core, there may just be a double pirouette in my future! Stay tuned.
Cheers, Barb

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE GAP?

The financial pages report that the Gap(Old Navy, Banana Republic) is sinking fast. Evidently the young demographic that they are geared towards has elected to take their credit cards else where.
Over a year ago they tried to buoy business by establishing a new division called Towne and Forth. Maybe the name was their first mistake. It certainly gave no hint as to what they were selling. I for one thought it was men's wear. So I was surprised to see an ad for them in MORE magazine featuring attractive, smart looking dresses with sleeves no less, stylish but not matronly. I looked forward to checking them out but they never opened in my part of the country.(Long Island, NYC)
Boomers grew up with the GAP and if the population I encounter on my frequent visits is any indication,many still shop there and also at Banana Republic searching for updated tee shirts, jeans and workout wear. However those basics are in short supply. The Gap is still courting the teens and twenty somethings with Abercrombie style knock offs. Banana Republic in its latest collection looks like an Ann Taylor wannabe but a shade more boring. Judging from the overstocks, this tactic is not working. The Boomers, the first wave of which joined our over 60 group last year is the fasting growing demographic in the nation, They clutch a good handful of disposable income and are hungry for the kind of good quality, casual clothes that will fit their active lifestyle. It's a natural for the GAP
They would do well to take another look at Towne & Forth and try to remedy whatever happened there. Maybe a lack of advertising? As for their original Gap and Banana Republic stores, do a test market with some stylish, well cut basics for the Boomers and the rest of us, keeping in mind that we don't buy boring.
Cheers, Barb