Gap Commercial for Preteens Clothes: Almost Perfect

"Ahhhhhhhhhh Formal Attire Officially Retired Hey Mom and Dad guess what? 1-2-3-4 not gonna wear it anymore I love my comfy sweater. I love my comfy sweater. How cute are these boots? How cute are these boots? Forget those girly dresses. Forget those girly dresses. Or talk to the moose. ah-ah. The moose."

Making a great commercial always requires R&D and art. Gap has created a great one this season for their pre-teen girls' clothes.

1. The product is great. Having been the mother of a pre-teen, I can tell you they suddenly have their own opinions about what to wear. Mom is no longer competent to select outfits (it's the start of those eye-rolling years). These colorful, rugged, age-appropriate, no-frill outfits let today's girls be active and cute.

2. The kids are engaging. What mom wouldn't want to have a happy, playful pre-teen? Yes, they have their opinions. Yes they're a little flirty (just like a pre-teen is). But they are still playing like little girls--- "talk to the moose" (a cuter, less sassy version of "talk to the hand") and "rowing" across the floor together. Most of all, they make it acceptable to be cute! And that's what pre-teens should be.

3. It sells to the Mom. Age-appropriate, warm, comfortable, and cute are important concepts to a Mom trying to dress a kid for school. That meme comes through loud and strong.

I can see why the commercial has gotten a little push-back because the dance is a little flirty (but really, it's more innocent than it is flirty). But I can forgive that; pre-teens ARE a little flirty. And compared to what they see on TV (e.g., ads for Victoria Secrets show), this is nothing.

All in all, Gap did a great job and I can watch this commercial over and over and smile every time. Good Job.