Ever since shooting our video with Sasha Charnin Morrison and her fabulous closet, I have become fixated on anoraks—she had a ton in that closet.

I just love their casual, slouchy chicness. Luckily, they’re kinda everywhere right now.

I picked up a couple at Old Navy that have come in very handy during the windy days we’ve had here in New York this week. And this afternoon, I discovered this perfect anorak dress over on Piperlime.

It’s a jacket…and a dress…and it’s only $79. What a very happy Friday indeed. Long live the season of the anorak.

We were just alerted to something rather annoying happening on the Old Navy site:

They’re selling sweater bracelets, which Yarborough’s been doing since forever.
We’ve seen Yarborough’s (right) in person a ton of times - The soft wool stretched in perfect arcs all up an arm make even the least tactile of jewelry fans want to reach out and pet each one. But Yarborough’s sweater bangles go for about $45 each, and Old Navy’s churning out copies (albeit, much less chunky / fluffy ones, and we’d bet they’re not nearly as soft), at $7.50 a pop, which makes it pretty hard for Yarborough to compete with the look she came up with.

Of course, you could probably make one with an old sweater and a cheap resin bangle for under $2, but that’s a completely different post..

Fact: Next week is Columbus Day weekend.

Fact: A lot of people get that Monday off.

Fact: A lot of people don’t get that Monday off.

Fact: Old Navy knows this, and feels bad.

So, they decided to have an early Columbus Day sale because.. everyone likes sales?

Anyway, for October 4th and 5th, Old Navy stores nationwide will feature 1,492 items will be priced under $14.92. Get it? In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue…

We think they’ll have tons of basics: sweaters, simple dresses, tees, and ideally a leather jacket, but that’s asking a little too much.

So be patriotic and go scoop up some gear for this chilly weather that’s hit us harder than Borat on the runway.

—ALEXANDRA BEN-GURION

The first thing of note is that Tory Burch made a print without using her logo.

The second thing is, Old Navy ripped it off.

And it’s not really that cute.

Tory covered half her Spring 07 line with rainbow colored butterflies - shirts, bags, dresses, even flip-flops - and almost a year later, Old Navy followed suit.

Their butterflies are a little paler, a little more spread out and just on a dress and top - literally watered down. Though the shape of their dress is infinitely more flattering than the shape of Tory’s top.

But the real question is, butterflies? Seriously?

We’ve been on a bauble spree this season. From the Operation-inspired Missoni necklace to the huge gems at Vuitton - we’re sort of obsessed.

But we’re not really sure sure how to wear these ornate pieces without looking like Mr. T gone couture or without approaching the out of the question four figure price range.

So when we came across this pretty amazing ring while browsing the new Gap/ Banana Republic / Old Navy / Piperlime website, we kind of fell in love.

It’s $9.50 and the navy and gold color combination could come across as classically royal or a bit nautical, depending on what you wear with it.

So the best part is, when you change from your denim cut-offs into your favorite party dress, your jewelry can stay the same. Oh, who are we kidding - a cool, not-too-big statement ring for under $10? That definitely makes the day.

—ALEXANDRA BEN-GURION

What kind of friends would we be without letting you in on some of our coolest finds?

When Jazzi told us she’s been using a website called Ebates to get paid for shopping online, we were like, “Whatever” but after hearing her out, we thought, “Woah! this could really add up.” If you’ve heard of it, you love it, and if you haven’t, allow us to explain:

1. It’s basically a shopping savings account that very simply gives you back money for shopping. Most websites make money for referring you, but Ebates just shares the wealth.

2. All you have to do is sign up (10 seconds max), then shop directly at some of your favorite stores through a link on the Ebates website.

The hardest part is remembering to go through the Ebates when you feel like shopping, but they even have a “reminder tool” for that, so we’ve got zero complaints. And the perks? Well, money for shopping and referring friends, no spam, a lot of shopping options (sorry, no Net-a-Porter), plus you get a $10 gift card just for signing up. And the best part? More shopping, less guilt.

So if you feel like shopping on the likes of Nordstrom, Shopbop, Bloomingdale’s, Old Navy, Saks, Target, Zappos, Bluefly and YOOX - to name a few - at least make some cash doing it for, you know, more shopping.

We seriously just made $39.00 on some relatively small purchases we would have made anyway. Maybe it really is magic…

— JAZZI McGILBERT

“So are you like obsessed with Old Navy now?” Brett just asked me.

Well, yeah.

I’m still loving my life-changing wooden platforms and now I’m even looking forward to their clothes.

We previewed their Spring/Summer collection last night: It’s kind of tough, kind of girly, and actually kind of chic. The fabrics even felt really nice.

The mini denim shorts, sequin tanks, slick black trench coats and sheer metal cardigans hit stores in June accompanied by subtly studded sandals.

The red, ruffly dress and perfectly high-waisted floral skirt should be in stores right in time for the Fourth of July.

The only problem? We really want it all now.

Check out some choice pieces after the jump.

Reader Emily is amused that Urban Outfitters and Old Navy have the exact same sandals for sale right now.

We’re amused that the Prada sandals from 2003 are still carrying so much influence on mass retailers.

Those aren’t for sale anymore, but the Urban Outfitters pair are $38.

The Old Navy pair are $19.50.

Weirdly, Forever 21 had a far more convincing pair that straddled both the Prada and the Balenciaga versions last summer.

Or you can just borrow ours.

We stayed home from Milan this season to show you things you might actually wear.

Namely, the latest collection from Old Navy - except, although it’s new, you’ve probably seen it before.

We know we have - the bold prints, the white shorts, the head scarves, all of it - as it walked down the runway last season at Diane Von Furstenberg.

Now, Old Navy is smart enough to not copy a DVF pattern, and what they’ve come up with on their own is really, really adorable.

But there’s something about the styling that just screams “Alek Wek on the runway last year!”

It’s a great look, it’s easy for many women to pull off, and it looks like Old Navy is going a long way towards facilitating that.

We just wonder how much cuter this stuff will be when you mix it with your own stuff, instead of matching it up with someone else’s luxe runway - like the shorts at left, with a threadbare band tee, could be kinda perfect.

After the Charlotte Ronson show last week, we ducked into Old Navy to get out of the freezing, sideways rain.

Of course we couldn’t actually enter and leave a store without purchasing something - even if in a not-so-exciting place like Old Navy.

We bought the shoes at left and we’ve worn them almost everyday since. In fact, yesterday’s grouchiness re: the “where did you get that question” probably arose from being stopped every five seconds to explain that yes, our shoes really are from Old Navy.

We’ve worn them with tights, with socks, with dresses and with jeans. We’re very klutzy and have yet to fall in them. And despite their heft, they’re actually very comfortable (for those of you of the cheap-shoes-are-impossible-to-walk-in persuasion).

They’ll probably be sold out before the first warm day; maybe we should buy another pair?

Last season, Old Navy took inspiration from Marc by Marc’s ‘05 line, while Biba ripped off Prada.

This season, the game’s a little different:

Biba’s second collection under a team of new designers took a print from Marc directly, and reworked it with sharp, small sleeves reminiscent of Katy Rodriguez and her Star Trek silhouettes.

We’re not sure we love it - especially for the $400 or so that we know it’ll sell for - but at least Biba’s returning to their appealing tradition of short dresses and iconic, ultramodern prints.

For more on the Biba show, plus snaps of the TopShop Fall ‘08 collection, stay tuned…

We received a mysterious invitation in our Inbox today, proclaiming “Celebrate the New Old Navy.”

We didn’t know that khakis and blouson t-shirts could be reinvented so forcefully, which makes us wonder what’s actually happening to Old Navy.

Our guesses?

1. Old Navy realizes everyone in America is now (somewhat) obsessed with fashion - or at least, with “fashion” - and they’re turning themselves into a Forever 21, with influxes of on-trend clothes flooding into stores, and flooding out just as quickly.

2. Old Navy is releasing a quirky TV commercial with their new head designer, Todd Oldham, that’s going to be like House of Style on a sugar high.

3. Old Navy is finally buying Fred Flare and turning into a complete lifestyle store.

That’s the rumor, anyway.