Last month Gap Inc. announced expansion plans for 2010, which include opening the first Gap store in China, scheduled for fall 2010, and expanding in Canada and the UK by making online sales within each country available.

Although the Gap currently has brick-and-mortar stores in Canada and the United Kingdom, online ordering isn't available in either country, and the Gap Direct site, which includes Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime, and Athleta as well as the Gap, doesn't offer any shipping options for international online customers. Now there are plans to fulfill online orders in both Canada and the UK beginning sometime during 2010.

Shopping should become a lot more convenient as online service becomes available next year. This comes as good news for petites because Gap (Buy Direct) offers a variety of clothing in petites sizes as small as 00P up to 16P.

Upscale handbag designer Carlos Falchi has designed a limited edition collection for Target.

Look for Carlos Falchi for Target handbags to be available in stores and online (Vendor's Site) November 1 through December 27. Falchi, who is known for his use of exotic skins and collage techniques brings this artistic aesthetic to the collection, which features faux python in dark hues of green, purple, brown, black and gray. Prices on the handbags will range from $19.99 to $49.99, thousands of dollars less than the Carlos Falchi high-end purses.

Pictured: Green satchel from the Carlos Falchi for Target line (Image Courtesy of Target)

Here's a plea to clothing manufacturers to check their quality control parameters when they're constructing clothing with zippers that cross seamlines. A zipper in a dress, skirt, or any other garment should slide easily. If we have to force it, there's a problem.

I thought about this last weekend when I was going to try on a skirt at the Michael Kors outlet, but I never got it off the hanger because I couldn't coax, let alone force, the zipper past a seamline that intersected it. The sales clerk finally was able to move the zipper, and then she asked if I'd like to try on the skirt, but I declined. I didn't feel like fighting with the zipper every time I wanted to wear the skirt. The same thing happened a few weeks ago when I was trying on a dress at Target, and I've noticed other, much more expensive, garments with the same problem.

I do some sewing, and I believe that reducing the bulk in the seams where they intersect the zipper can eliminate or substantially reduce the problem. At least I've always had good luck using that technique. Manufacturers, how about it? Please!!!

Photo Credit: Jeffrey Hamilton/Getty Images

Here's a shapely top in fall's trendy gray from Banana Republic (Buy Direct) that has a lot going for it in terms of petite style. The v-neckline flatters short women by helping create a longer, leaner look, and the below-the-bust ruching creates shape by emphasizing the small waistline. Another plus is that this animal print knit top comes in a wide range of petite sizes from XXS - L, and it's also offered in regular sizes. An extra-extra small equates to size 000P in Banana Republic sizing, so even the tiniest petites should be able to achieve a good fit.

Image Courtesy of Banana Republic